Democratic governors can't keep promises

On June 19, Gov. Tim Kaine hosted a meeting in Fredericksburg to promote his transportation agenda that would raise taxes by $1.1 billion. Can it be a coincidence that he chose to end his “Transportation Town Hall Tour” in Speaker Bill Howell’s legislative district?

This is an especially curious political tactic given that Gov. Kaine can’t even get his own Democrat caucus to endorse his plan. Since the governor called this special session of the General Assembly, the onus is on him to offer viable transportation solutions. Unfortunately for him, even Democrat Senate Majority

Leader Dick Saslaw has voiced skepticism over the governor’s proposals.

In fact, Democrats are all over the map when it comes to solving Virginia’s road problems. Sen. Saslaw and much of his caucus are pushing hard for an increased gas tax despite fuel prices now hovering over $4 per gallon with a $5 price tag on the near horizon. Under Kaine’s plan, citizens will see substantial tax hikes in automobile sales, annual vehicle registration and home sales, plus extra sale;le sales certainly won’t help the already crippled auto industry, which suffers recession-level losses. This tax will severely threaten additional jobs within that important sector. Couple that blow with a 250 percent proposed tax hike on home sales. It doesn’t take a mathematician to realize the fallout for the average citizen who wants to sell or buy a home, much less the negative impact on jobs throughout the housing market and our entire economy.

It is important to remember that just last year; the General Assembly approved $500 million in additional annual transit funding. Now the governor wants to increase Virginian’s tax burden by another $1 billion. The regional taxing provision in House Bill 3202 would have provided increased funds for Hampton Roads and Northern Virginia but it was Gov. Kaine’s amendment that changed the General Assembly’s measure allowing non-elected persons to levy taxes. Kaine’s amendment was ultimately rendered unconstitutional by the state supreme court. It was also Kaine who gave non-state drivers a free pass from HB 3202’s abusive driver fees.

But responsible leaders can’t just say “no” and not offer any solutions. In that vein, Republicans continue to identify measures that will help solve our traffic woes without leaving our wallets empty. For example, Republican legislators introduced House Joint Resolution 6001, which would place a much needed constitutional lockbox on funds that are collected for and supposed to be used on transportation. This measure would ensure no more shuffling of funds in the budget away from roads into other government programs. Kaine tried the money swap game during first year as governor despite his campaign promise to not raise any taxes until such a lockbox was established. Not fulfilling promises is starting to become a pattern with Democrat governors.

Delegate Mark Cole (R-Spotsylvania) has introduced three compelling bills to get our roads moving again. Two of those bills would re-configure the antiquated funding formula which allocates transportation money across the state. Many local officials in Stafford, Spotsylvania, and other surrounding communities believe we are donor communities sending more transportation money to Richmond then we get back every year. Delegate Cole hopes to ensure greater fairness by allocating funds based on population or on the number of registered vehicles. Another one of his bills would mandate that ½ cent of the sales tax collected in Virginia would be dedicated to transportation, which would add $600 million in additional funds for roads and transit.

Another measure that should be considered is a guaranteed minimum for all localities which would help ensure that all jurisdictions get their fair share. For example, every county/city could get at least 60-70 percent of the transportation revenues they collect within their boundaries, which would leave additional funding to support state needs throughout the commonwealth. If our Federal transportation dollars can be allocated this way, surely Virginia’s leaders can come up with a similar and equitable approach.

Another tool we can use in tackling this tough issue is to promote real transparency and accountability in the budget. The Free Lance-Star enthusiastically praised the merits of Senator Cuccinelli’s bill that would have opened up the state’s books. If we could go online and look at the budget, we might question whether or not spending $800,000 toward a welding program at a state college really outweighs important road projects. I would hope that Sen. Houck, who has patroned numerous FOIA bills, would co-sponsor a measure focused on real disclosure for Virginians.
Lastly, the governor and our state representatives need to prioritize the budget and make sure that the funds we raise for transportation actually goes toward roads.

Under Gov. Mark Warner’s term just four short years ago, the Commonwealth saw its largest tax increase in state history. Over $1 billion on the backs of Virginia’s families, yet not one single penny of that mammoth tax hike went toward transportation. As I recall, our road problems were prevalent when Warner was in office and yet he offered no meaningful transportation solutions.

In a recent letter to state regulators, U.S. Sen. Jim Webb wrote that, “in this time of economic uncertainty, an increase in energy costs could compel individuals and families to choose between putting food on their table and paying their energy bill.” He apparently agrees with Speaker Howell that higher prices disproportionately affect low income families. With these concerns in mind, I would hope that Webb would caution the governor and Democrat state legislators in Richmond against imposing gas, sales and other tax hikes, else residents will have to give up food, medicine and other necessities as a result. I believe our Republican leaders and legislators are on the right path and hope Democrats will work toward solutions that won’t harm our citizens or our local and state economy.

Steven Apicella is the former chairman of the Stafford County Republican Party.