Kaine Proposes "Lean," "Ambitious" Budget; Republicans say "Hell No!"

By: Lowell
Published On: 12/18/2007 6:44:58 AM

The Washington Post this morning calls uses words like "lean," "austere," "important," "smart and in some cases innovative" to describe Tim Kaine's new budget  Sounds good right?  Should be greeted with glee on both sides of the aisle, right?  Whoops, hold on a minute there, I almost forgot who we're dealing with here -- the House of Delegates Republicans!  Uh oh.

So, of course, instead of Gov. Kaine's budget being received in a friendly, constructive manner, House Republicans are already attacking it.  Today's Moonie Washington Times reports:

Some Republicans said Mr. Kaine seemed more interested in polishing his legacy than proposing a sound spending plan.

"You can want a legacy too badly, and you can be too desperate for it. He"s just grabbing money wherever he can," said House Majority Whip M. Kirkland Cox, Colonial Heights Republican. "It"s just like, 'Where can I find it, so I can basically pay for my legacy?" "

Mr. Griffin said lawmakers realize that if Mr. Kaine gets his way, they will be the ones left to deal with the repercussions after the governor is out of office.

"The problem is when the bill comes due, we"ll still be here. But we will have a new governor," he said. "It"s one of those, 'I will gladly pay you tomorrow for the cheeseburger today.'"


Wonderful.  Look, it's the Republicans' right -- in fact their duty -- to fight for the things they believe in. But to just reflexively oppose everything a Democratic governor does, whether it's Tim Kaine or Mark Warner, is wrong. It's even more wrong when they don't offer serious alternatives of their own.  

How do House Republicans propose to fund state government?  Got me.  Apparently, all they know how to do is criticize, not get things done for the people of Virginia.  That's why this state needs to keep moving "blue," not because we are "far left" or whatever other phrases Republicans want to hurl at us, but because we want to move Virginia "forward, together."  Apparently, House Republicans want to move us "backwards, divided."  That's sad, but that's what we apparently are dealing with here.

{UPDATE: More unhelpful comments by Republicans are in the Richmond Times Dispatch.  My favorite comes from Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling, who "accused Kaine of a 'spending frenzy' and said the legislature will have little choice but to set his budget aside and come up with an alternative."  Oh, joy, I can't wait!}

Comments



Why dont we just have one political party then (citizenindy - 12/18/2007 10:34:29 AM)
Cmon Lowell do you seriously expect us to just role over and approve the Kaine Budget :-p

You are correct that the intial reaction is just politics

Everyone is dissecting the proposals and the Democratic process of debate and compromise will be in full force come January benefiting everyone



Did I say that? (Lowell - 12/18/2007 11:07:59 AM)
No, I said that HOUSE Republicans -- note, not ALL Republicans -- say no to everything.  They did it with Mark Warner, they are doing it with Tim Kaine.  They're not even TRYING to work with the governor.  That's what I'm talking about, not "rolling over."


Pull a Dubya (Eric - 12/18/2007 10:43:37 AM)
Here's to hoping that Kaine will "pull a Dubya" and get most of his ideas pushed through despite a hostile legislature.  Although I'm not holding my breath because I'm not sure Kaine can be as effectively stubborn as the Prez and I am sure that the Va Republicans would rather drive the Commonwealth into the ground than give in on anything.