This morning, House Speaker William J. Howell issued a press release expressing “dissatisfaction” with Gov. Timothy M. Kaine’s “deliberate campaign of misinformation” in a series of radio ads and automated phone calls. In particular, Howell was incensed that Kaine was touting the benefits of his transportation-financing plan without mentioning the fact that, oh, by the way, it requires an extra $1 billion in taxes.
It’s the usual spin we’ve come to expect in the 2006 Tax Wars and, even though I’m sympathetic to the Speaker’s position, I gave it a pass. There was nothing new enough here to warrant posting on the blog.
Just now, “Inside Virginia,” an electronic newsletter distributed by the Department of Business Assistance to several thousand subscribers, has arrived in my in-box. The lead story is an “article” from Gov. Kaine entitled, “Keeping Virginia Open for Business Requires Transportation Reforms.” I’ll spare you a critique of the now-familiar arguments, and I’ll question only fleetingly whether a state newsletter, paid for with tax dollars, is an appropriate P.R vehicle for disseminating the Governor’s propaganda on a legislative issue.
Of greater interest is this: Kaine actually enumerates the “user fees” he would increase to pay for the transportation improvements.
My plan includes a modest increase in user-related fees: most drivers will see only an $18 increase in their annual insurance premiums and less than an $18 increase in their annual registration fees; most new car owners will pay only $4-10 more per month on their car loans; and drunken and reckless drivers will pay increased fees for abusive driving.
I’ve been pretty critical of Kaine over the tax issue. But I give credit where credit is due. In this missive at least, he lays out clearly what his transportation plan would cost. I don’t know if this “article” was amended to address the Speaker’s criticisms or not. Regardless, thank you, Governor, for telling it like it is.
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