Today is a big day for Tim Kaine; the last day when he can veto bills, amend them, or sign them into law. It's the day when Gov. Kaine will be announcing his decisions regarding major bills on transportation, electricrity re-regulation, and Virginia's death penalty, among others. It's also the day when Gov. Kaine almost certainly will set the tone for the rest of this election year in Virginia. Based on what Gerry Connolly said yesterday at the bloggers' lunch in Merrifield, Gov. Kaine will be making "reasonable and moderate amendments" to the transportation bill, or "transportation monstrosity" as some of us are calling it. If, according to Connolly, the Republicans reject that effort, Gov. Kaine can honestly say that he tried, that he was reasonable and he made a good faith effort.
As someone who believes this transportation bill is deeply, badly flawed (hence, the "monstrosity" moniker), I'm very curious to see what those "reasonable and moderate amendments" are. I'm also very curious to see how the media, the bloggers, the elected officials, and the candidates react to whatever Kaine announces today. No matter what, this promises to be a big day in Virginia politics.
[UPDATE: Via Not Larry Sabato, I see that Policy Soup is reporting that "the Governor's proposed changes may look something like this:
* No General Funds (statewide)
* Lowered Commercial Real Estate Fee ( only in Nova)
* Initial Vehicle Registration Fee of 1%* (only in Nova)
* A $10 increase in Vehicle Inspection Fee (only in Nova)
* Auto repair exemption removal (only in Nova)
I hope Policy Soup's sources are right on the "no general funds" part. I'm not sure about the rest, although I don't have any great objections at first glance. The main question is where the huge amounts of dedicated, sustainable, long-term revenues for transportation are going to come if not from the general fund or from a gasoline tax. Stay tuned; reportedly, Gov. Kaine will be announcing his amendments at 2 PM today in Richmond.]
I sure hope that's not what happens. NHFBS's post on Saturday was right on target.
Thinking through this, there's a powerful way forward for Tim Kaine which I hope he takes.
Kaine can take the monstrosity created by the flat earth legislature and make it sing. He can protect the general fund, eliminate the provisions which devolve responsibility for road construction to the localities, find permanent sources of revenue, and send the thing back to the Legislature.
When Kaine makes takes a powerful step to transform the soul of this bill, it's not only a winner politically, but pragmatically as well.
Virginia needs to transform the way it does transportation, there's no doubt of that, but forcing the localities to fight over scraps while robbing schools and police departments is an abomination.
Kaine has the opportunity to unequivicably take a principled stand in favor of the future and in favor of Virginia. If the legislature kills the bill, Republicans lose and they will lose in November. If the legislature accepts Kaine's bill, Kaine Wins and Democrats win in November.
The only way Kaine can lose this fight is if he capitulates and fails to stand up for localities, police and schools. Kaine is made of solid stuff and I have no fear that he will absolutely make Virginia proud.