Gas tax bill moving to full House for vote
House panel kills Kaine's transportation plan
By Chelyen Davis
Date published: 6/27/2008
By Chelyen Davis
RICHMOND-- A House of Delegates committee yesterday killed Gov. Tim Kaine's transportation plan, choosing instead to advance a Senate bill that raises the gas tax.
The House Rules committee, run by House Speaker Bill Howell of Stafford County, voted 11-4 to quash Kaine's proposal to raise about $1 billion in taxes and fees for roads.
The committee also agreed to send to the full House Sen. Dick Saslaw's bill, which raises a bit more than Kaine's, relying heavily on increasing the gas tax 6 cents per gallon.
"I don't want to see us wait until we have a bridge fall into the river like it did in Minnesota," Saslaw said. "Nobody likes to raise taxes. I don't like to do it, no one does. But we can't just do nothing."
However, advancing Saslaw's bill for a full House vote doesn't indicate support for the bill by the majority Republicans on the committee; they sent the bill "without recommendation," meaning it didn't get a real, recorded vote.
The result is that House Democrats will now have to vote on a gas tax increase.
"They want to try to embarrass us by voting on a gas tax," said House Minority Leader Del. Ward Armstrong, D-Henry. "It's part of the political process, gamesmanship."
Howell said he was simply fulfilling a promise to give a full and fair hearing to any bill supported by the Senate. "It's going to be voted on by all 100 members. You can't ask any more than that."
But it will be two weeks before such a vote happens; the Senate yesterday adjourned until July 9, and the House plans to follow suit.
Lawmakers said vacations and other commitments made it difficult to meet next week.
It's unlikely Saslaw's bill will pass the full House; House Republicans don't support it, and even some House Democrats dislike the gas tax provision in it.
Kaine told reporters he felt the Republicans should have sent his bill to the floor, just like Saslaw's.
"I think it's because they're afraid it would pass," he said.
Armstrong said it's likely Democrats will seek to amend Saslaw's bill.
"This is just the first step. I'm not prepared to say what I will or won't do," Armstrong said.
Date published: 6/27/2008
Most recent reader comments:
Ok, lets give the GA some practical
(posted by
enlightenment
, June 27, 2008 8:48 am)
experience with the issue. I say, schedule the July 9 session for 9 am in Old Town Alexandria, witha requirement that each member starts their drive at Central Park at 7:45 a.m. Then for July 10, have them meet in Roslyn in Arlington at 9 a.m. This time they start in Gainesville at 7:45 a.m. For July 11, meet at 5 p.m. at the Oceanfront in V.B., starting from Williamsburg at 3:45 p.m. Each of these drives should, in theory take 45-50 minutes. They won't. More like double that...
tax gas
(posted by
1958
, June 27, 2008 8:06 am)
just where will the poor get the funs to pay for going to the store or heat we can go now,help us va state goverment
The referendum idea is good. These house legislators are too scared to do the business of the State. They are incompetent and shortsighted with their
no tax" mantra.
Put the gas tax vote to the people. If it loses, our State loses and we lose but at least no one can complain any longer.
Referendum Time
(posted by
DeanFetterolf
, June 27, 2008 1:28 am)
Place a statewide referendum on the ballot and ask the voters what they want!!
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