|
Speaking
at the Virginia Manufacturers Association in November, I
learned that not once during his three years in office
has our esteemed governor, Mark R. Warner, attended the Governor's Environmental Excellence
Awards.
Is
all that talk about Virginia Democrats being
pro-business and pro-environment just more politics
from our daydreaming and outdoorsy-acting governor?
It's
a fact. Environmentalists and conservationists know that
Gov. Warner has never made the environment a priority
with his administration. Furthermore, General Assembly
Democrats rank lower than most Republicans according to
the Virginia League of Conservation Voters guide.
Most
environmentalists blame Gov. Warner for the
transportation mess--after all, he cut funding for the
Virginia Department of Transportation two-thirds after
entering office.
That
was a deliberate political effort to put a squeeze on
the political system to encourage future tax increases
in Virginia. Now the roads in Virginia are a disaster!
The
move was calculated
to maximize his spending agenda and consolidate his base
to help promote the largest tax increase in the history
of Virginia.
The
state's unfunded-mandate process is devastating, but the
Governor is responsible for that across the board as
well.
Yes,
Mr. and Mrs. State Employee, who did not receive annual
pay raises for several years.
Yes,
Virginia sheriffs, who saw state funds dry up for hiring
more deputies.
Yes,
Commonwealth's attorney offices with college interns
working out of cardboard file boxes.
Yes,
Virginia teachers and local school systems that
experienced the cold-handed death grip of Richmond's
bureaucracy.
Yes,
museum staffs, after-school programs and state parks,
whose budgets were slashed and hacked into small pieces.
There's
no extra funding for the Department of Natural Resources
and environmental projects throughout the state thanks
to Gov. Mark Warner.
As
a friend noted, most environmentalists feel very sorry
for Secretary of Natural Resources Tayloe Murphy, who
dedicated his General Assembly career to environmental
causes. "He's a wonderful old gentleman, and yet,
probably the least influential member of the
Cabinet."
And
could someone please explain why Gov. Warner raided the
VDOT's budget and then chose not to support a lockbox
for transportation funding?
Those
are interesting thoughts--things just get more and more
curious in Warnerland.
The
Blue Dog sure hopes Democratic gubernatorial candidate Tim
Kaine has more to offer.
Remember,
we Virginians have a statewide election coming up with
House seats up for grabs as well. It should be a
hard-fought campaign on both sides, and it should have a
few surprises.
There
are already scandalous rumors circulating about how two
ex-governors are reportedly looking at statewide
campaigns.
Those
killer Bs are back--better known as "Big Jim"
Gilmore and "Boring" Jerry Baliles.
And
don't forget about the surprise dark horse candidate
waiting in the wings.
Hint,
hint: He's a quirky conservative Virginia
congressman who might walk away with a
made-to-order immigration dissertation and his matchless
ability to work for, not against, the interests of rural
Virginia.
Yes
Virginia, there are some politicians left that can see
the forest through the trees.
--
January 4, 2005
|
