Virginia General Assembly Preview

Post staff writer Michael Shear discusses Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine's State of the State speech and a 2007 legislative agenda sure to be dominated by taxes and transportation.

Shear was online Thursday, Jan. 11 at 1 p.m. to take your questions and comments.

A transcript follows.

Here's a look at the hot-button issues of 2007.

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washingtonpost.com: Michael Shear will be on in about 10 minutes. Sorry for the delay.

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Blacksburg, Va.: Republicans and Democrats are supposedly talking behind the scenes, trying to reach some compromises regarding transportation issues. Is this happening and what do you think will be the outcome?

Michael Shear: Good afternoon everyone. Sorry I'm a bit late. Let's have some fun talking about Virginia state politics.

Yes, talks are taking place about transportation, but not between Republicans and Democrats. In Virginia both chambers are controlled by the Republicans, but they have very different philosophies about taxing and spending. So right now, its Republican lawmakers from the House and their Republican counterparts in the Senate trying to talk these issues out. Sources tell me the talks have been productive. But as one senator told me, close doesn't matter until the deal is done.

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Norfolk, Va.: What are the chances that the General Assembly will pass a constitutional amendment to allow our future governors more time in office?

Michael Shear: The chances are looking better, Norfolk.

Virginia is the only state to limit its governors to one term at a time. They can run again, but only after leaving office for a term.

The legislature sees that as an advantage they hold over the chief executive and have refused to grant the option for reelection unless the governor gives up some significant power over key appointments. Governors have not wanted to do that to get the second term. It has been a chicken-and-egg problem.

Now, though, there's a possibility that the legislature could pass legislation that strips the governor of those powers, but with the condition that the change only goes into effect once the constitution has been altered to allow a second term.

It could work.

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Hampton, Va.: Would the governor consider eliminating the car tax in exchange for the transportation package that he wants?

Michael Shear: The car tax is a much-hated, yearly tax. The legislature has spent much of the last decade struggling with how to reduce or eliminate it. The problem has been cost. Already, the state spends about $950 million a year to reduce car tax bills by about 70 percent. With the number and cost of cars growing, the cost of the program increases. To do away with the car tax completely would cost much more, and would likely overwhelm any tax increases the governor has proposed recently.

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Loudoun County, Va.: How many transmission lines are going to pass through our beautiful countryside? Why are environmental groups letting it happen?

Michael Shear: The proposal by Dominion to build large, new power transmission lines across the Northern Virginia countryside has indeed sparked outrage by some in the area, and there could be a fight here in Richmond over this issue. There are already proposals by lawmakers to block or alter Dominion's plans. Of course, Dominion has a raft of lobbyists ready to fight such bills.

With apologies, I'll say this: This one could produce sparks!

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McLean, Va.: Those who live in Tysons Corner want a tunnel for the Metro. Will Gov. Kaine reconsider the decision?

Michael Shear: Kaine's decision to build the new Metro rail line above ground was driven by the need to meet federal guidelines about how much these big projects cost. According to the governor's office, nothing has changed.

But there are many advocates in the area who still want a tunnel, and they may get some help from a few sympathetic lawmakers. But whether that can affect the governor's decision is anyone's guess.

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Alexandria, Va.: So we know the No. 1 Issue this year is transportation. What are issues 2, 3 and 4?

Michael Shear: There are a bunch of interesting issues that will capture attention down here.

We've already mentioned the power line debate. Dominion will also be in the middle of a fight over electric power regulation. That could affect how much we all pay for our electric bills.

There will be arguments over growth and development, specifically how much power local governments should have to slow or stop a development based on the effect it will have on the traffic in the area.

There will be lots of so-called social legislation on abortion, divorce and guns.

There will be debates on the minimum wage, stem cell research and taxes. And some serious talk about health care changes that could provide more coverage to kids.

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Gilmore for President: Hi Mike,

What are your thoughts on Gilmore running in '08? Does he really think he has a shot?!

Michael Shear: Yes. He does.

Whether anyone else does will be answered, I guess, by the next year or so, as he campaigns around the country.

It's been a wild ride for Virginia as far as presidential candidates go. First we had two (Mark Warner and George Allen) and then we had one, after Warner dropped out (Leaving Allen). Then Allen lost his Senate race, effectively ending his presidential bid, and we had none.

Now, with Gilmore in, the "Mother of Presidents" is back in the game.

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Loudoun County, Va.: What legislators are on the side of Dominion Power? Who is Dominion Power giving money to in the area? Any ideas?

Michael Shear: Keep reading The Post in the next several weeks. We'll be giving you the answers to these questions. I promise.

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Tyson's Corner, Va.: During the speech, applause seemed to register along odd partisan lines. What areas of policy do you think might make bipartisan progress? Also -- any chance of reviving your moribund blog? It was entertaining.

Michael Shear: What I noticed about the applause was that it was loudest at the beginning, shortly after the open bar reception for the lawmakers. As the evening -- and the speech -- wore on, the energy level seemed to taper off.

As for the blog, you should go back to it now. We started it up again yesterday. To describe it as moribund for the last few months is being gracious. It was plain dead, for which I humbly apologize. But go there now. it's fun. I'll try to get a link to it here in the chat.

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Winchester, Va.: Will Russ Potts run for re-election? If he does, will he seek the GOP nomination?

Michael Shear: Russ Potts is one of the least predictable lawmakers in Richmond. He's a wild card, as he proved when he ran as an independent in the 2005 governor's race, challenging his party's nominee.

That decision will haunt him when -- or if -- he tries to run for reelection. Would he try as a Republican? Or as an independent again? Or might he switch parties and become a Democrat, something he has said he will never do.

It's all a mystery Potts. But stay tuned. Whatever he does, it's sure to be entertaining.

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Fairfax, Va.: Who has the most to gain or lose if the lawmakers don't reach a compromise on transportation?

Michael Shear: This is a complicated question.

The conventional wisdom is that Republicans would be blamed by voters if there is no transportation deal. That's because the House has gotten much of the bad press for saying "no" to tax increases.

But Republicans in the House are counting on voters to recognize how hard they have been trying to do things for transportation that don't involve higher taxes: growth control legislation, changes to the Virginia Department of Transportation, and one-time money for projects.

The voters, of course, will ultimately decide who they blame.

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Beaelton, Va.: I wish that the state delegates who oppose tax increases for transportation could see that a family whose mother and father are stuck in traffic are already paying a tax on their lives and their families lives. Business with trucks stuck in traffic are also paying a tax. These are the most regressive taxes as rich and poor alike are taxed equally.

As you talk to lawmakers, do you get a sense they understand this?

Michael Shear: I believe the Northern Virginia lawmakers are increasingly aware of this kind of feeling. In fact, many of the lawmakers in our region -- Democrats and Republicans -- now favor tax increases in the region.

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Reston, Va.: I wanted to let everyone know about an important issue for this year's session -- funding for child care subsidies. There's a group of working parents and others out here (Save Our Child Care) that is rallying support for funding for this critical program that helps low-income WORKING families succeed. Please contact your legislators and ask them to support budget amendments for child care subsidies that keep parents working and keep families strong.

Michael Shear: Here's another issue that a reader passes along. There's thousands of bills, so we're sure to miss a few.

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Michael Shear: Okay, back to the legislature for me. Sorry to have been a bit shorter than usual. Next time, I'll make it back from the General Assembly on time. Keep reading The Post, signing onto the Web, and catching up with the blog.

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