On Monday, nearly every political geek in this state (and quite a few normal folks) will have their eyes on Richmond, where Governor Kaine will announce his response to “Republican” transportation tax hike (truth be told, I may not be one of them – my election addiction may very well keep my eyes fixed on Quebec’s fascination provincial vote that is held on the same day). Several of my fellow Old Dominion Blog Alliance members are demanding Kaine sign the bill (Black Velvet Bruce Li, Mason Conservative, and Southwest x Southeast, to name a few). I must very strongly disagree; I hereby ask the Governor to veto the transportation tax hike.
Granted my reasons are not the same as the ones Kaine is hearing from the left. I consider the notion that transportation should somehow not come from “general fund” expenses is an act of political cowardice, but if that’s the excuse he needs, that’s fine with me.
My reasons are these. First of all, this transportation “plan” raises taxes by hundreds of millions of dollars on nearly two million Virginians. The fact that I am not among these Virginians does not mitigate the economic damage done to the state by these tax increases. That these tax hikes are largely limited to northern Virginia and Hampton Roads makes them no less onerous on the state as a whole. Income taxes hikes, for example, largely hit high incomes areas such as northern Virginia and Hampton Roads; yet supporters of limited government still oppose them with fervor. These taxes increases deserve equally passionate opposition, and must be rejected. Secondly, this “plan” involves the creation of unelected, unaccountable regional governments. Anytime officials have the power to spend the public’s money without facing the public in elections, the public loses some of its power and its freedom. Virginia does not need the European Union writ small. For these reasons, the Governor must veto HB3202.
I make this plea not expecting it to be heard, let alone followed. I expect the Governor will offer his own version of the “plan” (as is his right), which will include tax increases of his own. Even worse, it appears he is willing to keep the regional government part of the “plan.” It appears those of us who oppose higher taxes can only hope that the conventional wisdom is wrong and the Governor does veto the bill, or that he and the legislature will be unable to settle their differences, leaving us with the next-best scenario: a train wreck.
Still, it never hurts to ask, so . . .
Governor Kaine, please veto the transportation tax hike.
Besides, if he chooses not to listen to me, I can still look forward to the results from Quebec coming in.
