That phrase is going to be heard a lot between now and election day. Why? Because it truly represents the screwy compromise that is this transportation bill and, even more, it epitomizes the screwy ideology that rules the roost in Richmond. The weird public policy results directly from the fact that the decision-makers – people like Ken Cuccinelli, Jay O’Brien, and Jeannemarie Devolites-Davis – are beholden to a narrow ideological set that demands fealty to the catechism of weakened government and “no new taxes”.
Of course, these fantasy-land agendas clearly don’t pan out in reality (or we would have NO transportation legislation). I wrote earlier about the Cuccinelli and O’Brien apostasy against the Norquist cult. So, in their cheap effort to disguise that apostasy yet cling to electability, we’re left with a bill that is more concerned with political appearances and CYA than with rational, stable, and transparent funding.
Good government is what’s at stake this November.
July 3, 2007 at 1:47 pm
Recently on WTOP Governor Kaine placed the blame for the new driver abuser fees on Delegates Albo and Rust. However, these abuser fees were promoted greatly by the Governor from the beginning of the Transportation Package negotiations. I just wanted to set the record straight on who was a vocal supporter of these abuser fees.
From his Aug 28, 2006 Money Committee Address:
Both Houses agree on abuser fees. The dangerous behavior of unsafe drivers threatens the safety of other drivers and causes accidents that create congestion. Those drivers should be financially accountable for their actions.
http://www.governor.virginia.gov/MediaRelations/Speeches/2006/JMC-Aug2006.cfm#9
From his Jan 10, 2007 State of the Commonwealth address:
Both houses agree that abusive drivers should pay stiffer fines to be used for transportation needs. To solve our funding dilemma, I have proposed a basic transportation financing package. Three elements of the package—proper use of existing auto insurance premium taxes, charges to abusive drivers and a commitment to using surplus dollars for transportation—require no new revenues from law-abiding citizens.
http://www.governor.virginia.gov/MediaRelations/Speeches/2007/SOTC.cfm#3
From his first transportation plan, six days into office 2006:
This plan includes enhanced fees for abusive drivers .
http://www.governor.virginia.gov/MediaRelations/NewsReleases/viewRelease.cfm?id=57
From his transportation plan announced Jan 2007:
Imposes an abuser fee on motorists who drive under the influence, drive recklessly, or commit certain other offenses.
http://www.governor.virginia.gov/MediaRelations/NewsReleases/viewRelease.cfm?id=319
2006 Legislation introduced at the request of the Governor including SB 722 DMV; assessment of fees on certain drivers, use of fees collected.
http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?061+sum+SB722
So as you can see, Kaine hasn’t been honest with us when he says he knows little about this.