House and Senate Democrat Leaders Against Kaines Transportation Plan!

Finally Governor Kaine graces us with his Transportation Proposal only to get little to NO support from his Democratic colleagues.


After announcing his plan yesterday afternoon in Richmond, it seems to me that he preferred more of a vigilante approach to a transportation solution because obviously did not include any of the suggestions from Democratic or Republican, House or Senate Leadership.


Below are a mixed batch of quotes from Republicans and Democrats alike regarding Governor Kaines transportation proposal...

• "I don't see anything positive in the governor's plan that makes it something that's likely to be considered," Cox said. "It's all tax, tax and more tax." -- Delegate Kirk Cox Washington Post -- "Va. GOP Lawmakers Reject Kaine's Latest Transportation Fix"

• Senate Majority Leader Richard L. Saslaw (D-Fairfax) said Kaine's proposal doesn't do enough to hit out-of-state motorists for some of the costs of maintaining Virginia's highway system. Washington Post -- "Va. GOP Lawmakers Reject Kaine's Latest Transportation Fix"

• Del. David B. Albo, a Fairfax Republican involved in transportation negotiations, said Kaine's plan had a "0.000 percent chance" of winning approval. Washington Post -- "Va. GOP Lawmakers Reject Kaine's Latest Transportation Fix"

• Virginians will have ample opportunity to debate Kaine's proposal -- as well as competing, or complementary, ideas advanced by others such as Del. Brian Moran, head of the House Democratic Caucus. Moran proposes a 1-cent sales-tax increase statewide, accompanied by a new state agency, the Office of Responsible Growth, that would coordinate transportation planning with local land-use decisions -- a point of concern he and House Speaker William Howell apparently share. Richmond Times-Dispatch -- "A Kaine Mutiny?"

• "The governor has the prerogative to call us back into special session and waste the taxpayers' money if he so has the desire," said House Republican Leader Morgan Griffith of Salem. Asked if the proposal would ever reach the House floor, Griffith said, "I see it on the floor, but not the floor of the House." The Daily Press -- "GOP derides Kaine's transportation plan"

• Sen. Mamie Locke, D-Hampton, said Kaine has offered a starting point. The Daily Press -- "GOP derides Kaine's transportation plan"

• "With the housing economy the way it is today, I don't know that adding a new cost is the wisest thing to do," said Del. Phil Hamilton, R-Newport News. The Daily Press -- "GOP derides Kaine's transportation plan"

• “I am very doubtful that this plan has any chance of passage,” continued Delegate Hugo, “I will not vote for any plan that will tax Northern Virginian’s twice, and continue to send our hard earned money downstate to never be seen again!”