Another post on the behalf of James Atticus Bowden:
Del. Phil Hamilton, R- Newport News, got his op ed response to Sen. Marty Williams (see “Republican Senator’s Blame Game on Transportation“) in the Daily Press on the lowest circulation day. Fewer folks get to see the truth.
Phil pointed out that the 1986 sales tax increase for transportation is a use of General Fund revenues that otherwise would be used for public education, public safety and health care. Also, Phil reminded Marty that he voted for budgets that used $339 million of general fund surpluses and general fund revenues from the insurance premiums tax for transportation.
Most importantly, Phil pointed out that Virginia’s Governors have used special sessions for special issues. Past governors cared too much about good governance and the Commonwealth than hold the budget hostage and push to a government shut down.
“In recent history, four different governors have wanted to address a major public policy initiative in their first term. In 1966, Gov. Mills Godwin wanted to impose a state sales tax to create the community college system. In 1986, Gov. Gerald Baliles wanted to address transportation (for the ‘permanent’ solution – JAB editorial addition). In 1994, Gov. George Allen wanted to abolish parole. Finally, in 1998, Gov. James Gilmore wanted car tax relief while several legislators wanted school construction funding. In each instance, the state budget was passed and a special session was called to address these initiatives”
“Gov. Timothy Kaine should follow this successful model of leadership in his desire to address the transportation issue this year.”
Yes sir, Phil!
Gov. Kaine and the RINO Senators could pass a continuing resolution or increase spending (as the House suggests) about 20 percent today with an additional $1 billion in new transportation funding – and set aside the “crisis” of transportation plans and taxes for a special session – today. There’s no problem, no crisis, in funding for government in the Commonwealth. There’s a surplus of revenue.
The phoney crisis that shuts down government will be the most cynical exercise in political power I’ve seen in a Virginia that was the only state name uniquely, uniquely I say, associated with the word “gentleman”, since Massive Resistance. We’ve come too low, and it’ll get worse, unless Gov. Kaine and His Lordship Sir John Chichester and the RINO majority in the senate put the People, our Commonwealth, ahead of their petty political passion for power.
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