HRBT? Your words are strange to us ....

Del. Bob Brink, D-Arlington, certainly knows about traffic problems in his neck of the woods up in Northern Virginia. He's more perplexed by his cousins in congestion from Hampton Roads.

On Wednesday, when the two regions got together to talk traffic, Brink put his confusion into words.

"I've always felt you people down there are speaking in tongues -- HRBT and third crossing and all that kind of stuff," he said.

Oh yeah? What about Dulles Rail? What's that supposed to mean? And what's with this "you people," you latte-sipping ....

(We're kidding. Everyone placed nice.)

Still, Brink was onto something. Lawmakers from the two regions appeared initially reluctant to start the conversation, as if they weren't sure what to say. When they began going around the table -- just to get the ball rolling -- the first three decided to take a pass.

Del. Glenn Oder, R-Newport News, was having none of it.

"Right now," he said, "this is a real opportunity to hear where you are. I would really implore you, as fellow elected legislators. Tell us where you are. This meeting today represents a new urban majority. This is the direction Virginia is going. Look at where the elections are going. If you are opposed to anything, say it. I don't know of any other opportunity we'll have to do this again."

That started it. Before it was over, many at the table agreed on several principles to guide their future discussions.

And they also agreed that whatever deal is cut could be scuttled if House and Senate leaders get tangled up in a larger debate over statewide maintenance money.

Stay tuned.