GOP Draft Shows Scope of Roads Strategy

Lawmakers Spar Over Consumer Tax and Fee Increases as Deadline Looms

RICHMOND, Jan. 17 -- The transportation plan being negotiated by Republican lawmakers in Virginia's General Assembly would shift $250 million from other state programs, raise fees on drivers, increase costs for truckers and depend on billions in borrowing, according to a draft of the plan.

The three-page document is stamped "Confidential" and dated Jan. 15, but sources familiar with the talks among senior leaders in the House of Delegates and the Senate say it is still an accurate representation of the negotiations. The government sources spoke on condition of anonymity because a deal is not complete.

Under the plan, taxes on diesel fuel would rise, and fees to register heavy trucks would increase by $10. Renewing a driver's license would cost an extra $15 every five years, and drivers with very bad records would pay higher fines. All of that would raise about $191 million to pay for recurring road costs.

The plan also envisions dedicating half of future budget surpluses to transportation projects and diverting $250 million from other state programs starting in 2008. The state would also borrow $1.3 billion in 2008 and an additional $700 million in 2012 and repay the debt with money raised from the plan.

In addition, other taxes and fees would increase, raising $345 million for Northern Virginia and $212 million for Hampton Roads each year. The Northern Virginia plan is likely to include a new fee when buying a car, and higher taxes on commercial real estate and lodging, legislators said.

The document does not say which road projects would be funded with the additional money.

Top Republicans are racing to reach final agreement on the details of the plan by Friday, the deadline for the introduction of new legislation. But even as they sought agreement among themselves, rumors about the plan's contents sparked intensifying opposition from Democrats, some moderate Republican senators and conservative Republicans.

During Wednesday morning's House session, Del. Kristen J. Amundson (D-Fairfax) said the Democratic caucus was looking forward to "having a robust conversation about transportation." But Amundson warned that the party would not accept a deal that relied heavily on the general fund, which is used for schools and social services.

"We have to make sure while we protect transportation money, we don't raid the general fund and steal from our children's education," she said.

Late Wednesday, Republican Sen. Thomas K. Norment Jr. (James City) met for almost an hour with Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D) to discuss the negotiations before a reception for senators at the governor's mansion.

Kaine said afterward that he remains optimistic, but he refused to comment on his discussions with Norment or other lawmakers because no deal had been reached.

"Until there's a plan for us to consider, it doesn't make sense to talk about ideas or drafts," Kaine said. "They've said they've gotten close, and then they've gotten far apart, then gotten close and gotten far apart. I'm just assuming they're having trouble agreeing."