A Feb. 26 Metro article incorrectly said that Virginia Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D) proposed raising the gasoline tax last year. Kaine sought to raise the sales tax on motor vehicles, increase auto registration fees and impose new fines on serious auto infractions. The idea for a gas tax increase originated with state legislators.
Kaine Taking Fight on The Road
Public Input Sought On Transportation, Other Priorities
Monday, February 26, 2007; Page B01
RICHMOND, Feb. 25 -- Gov. Timothy M. Kaine said he will crisscross Virginia starting this week for a "statewide discussion" about the Republican-backed transportation package to decide how it should be changed.
Kaine (D) is vowing to make "very significant changes" to the plan the General Assembly approved Saturday, saying it undermines state services and doesn't do enough to relieve traffic congestion throughout the state.
Graphic Transit Projects That Might AdvanceIf Richmond lawmakers come up with additional transportation funding, the money could be used to advance these planned projects. The final list of projects and timing would be decided by regional and state officials. Online Resources
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As approved by the House of Delegates and the Senate, residents in the Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads areas would pay hundreds of millions of dollars each year to build more roads in those communities.
But most residents elsewhere would pay only an additional $10 -- through their vehicle registration fee -- for their share of the transportation package.
The lack of a statewide tax or fee increase means less money for new highway projects in more-rural parts of the state, which Kaine said undercuts his effort to fulfill his campaign pledge of enacting a long-term solution to the state's transportation needs.
"At all levels for rural parts of the state, there is very little money for them," Kaine said after the General Assembly adjourned Saturday night.
Kaine, who will start a five-day state tour Tuesday, is trying to regain the upper hand in the transportation debate, even as Republicans say they succeeded in wresting one of the governor's top priorities away from him.
"Republicans initiated and came together behind a comprehensive reform and funding plan," House Speaker William J. Howell (R-Stafford) said.
Despite objections from Kaine, Senate Democrats and some moderate Republicans, the General Assembly approved a transportation package that allows local governments in Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads to raise certain fees and taxes for roads and transit in their regions. Statewide, the plan borrows $2.5 billion over the next eight years.
The debt will be repaid over 20 years with money from the general fund, which is used to pay for education, public safety, social programs and other services.
"My main concern is an excess of general-fund dollars to support massive borrowing," Kaine said. "I am going to talk to folks, and then I am going to make a proposal. . . . We will do it in a very public way."
Kaine has 30 days to decide whether he will try to amend the plan before sending it back to the General Assembly.
