Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling: Kaine, Democrats are to blame

Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling just released this statement on the no-movement session in Richmond:

I am very disappointed that the General Assembly was unable to make any meaningful progress toward addressing Virginia’s transportation challenges during this Special Session.  The failure to do so does not reflect well on anyone involved in this process, and it leaves one of the major challenges facing Virginia unresolved.

Unfortunately, much of the responsibility for this failure rests on the shoulders of Governor Kaine, who decided to call legislators back to Richmond without building any consensus around a possible transportation solution.  In my judgment, the Governor’s decision to call the Special Session without first developing a framework for success was a mistake.

In addition, Governor Kaine complicated the effort to find a transportation solution by introducing a transportation proposal that had very little, if any, support in the General Assembly.  The Governor’s bill, which relied on massive statewide and regional tax increases, was not even supported by the members of his own party, and it was clearly not the right solution given the economic challenges that Virginia is currently facing.

I am also disappointed that Democrats in the General Assembly systematically defeated common sense Republican proposals that would have helped us address Virginia’s long term transportation needs, at least in part.  I was particularly disappointed that Democrats rejected legislation that would have:

-Directed potential revenues associated with offshore drilling in Virginia to transportation.

-Enabled Hampton Roads localities to keep the tax revenues derived from the Port of Virginia and use those revenues to fund transportation projects in their region of the state.

-Enabled Northern Virginia localities to keep the tax revenue derived from the Dulles International Airport and the Ronald Reagan International Airport and use those revenues to fund transportation projects in their region of the state.

-Amended the Constitution of Virginia to prohibit the use of transportation dollars to pay for other government programs without super majority approval of the members of the General Assembly

-Ordered an external management review of the Virginia Department of Transportation to make certain that our transportation dollars are being spent effectively and efficiently and directed to our state’s highest transportation priority – congestion relief.

These were commonsense proposals that should have received widespread bipartisan support.  By rejecting these proposals without serious consideration or debate, Democrats showed that they are unwilling to seriously consider any solution to our transportation challenges that do not involve higher taxes.

Fortunately, the General Assembly meets every year, and we will have another chance to address this issue in January.  It remains my hope that the members of the General Assembly will work to craft a transportation solution that relies on existing revenue sources and innovative transportation alternatives, not higher taxes.

Comments

[Former GOP]

Maybe if the far right would stop its moralistic and government-intrusive foray into social issues (like abortion and same sex unions) and really focus on business needs (like roads, rail transport, regional cooperation), they'd reach some - - or any solutions - - they constantly fault the Dems for not having.

[RoxAnne Lane Christley]

I was in attendance at the opening day of the special session for the transportation funding. Lt. Governor Bolling is correct in his statement that this mess is the fault of Governor Kaine. This was a posture for future elections, and NOT to solve the problem. Our elected officials need to be more fiscally responsible with OUR money and Lt. Governor Bolling is mindful of that! Instead of giving $1 Million to Donald Trump and Howie Mandel to put their logos on Virginia Lottery Tickets, or paying out over $2 Million to feed horses at a Northern Virginia Equine Hospital - use THAT money to fund transportation. Lt. Governor Bolling is right! Kaine would rather blame those who don't want to do it HIS way than find a solution that can come from cutting the states frivolous spending and not making the citizens of Virginia continue to cut their own budgets. The elected officials in this session did not solve the transportation problem, but the motion to make sure they got paid was made by the liberals. What a surprise – pay themselves, but don’t solve the problem. Kaine’s posture for future elections should not come at the expense of the Virginia taxpayers! Cut your own budget Kaine, NOT MINE!!!!

[Trish]

It is becoming evident that the coming election isn't about doing more with less and budgeting wisely, but rather to pointing fingers of guilt at those who want some fiscal responsibility. I applaud the Lt. Governor for having the guts to call it like it is. I've traveled around the state as part of a group that studied education, transportation, and health care issues in each region. The Governor is guilty of succumbing to a very liberal mind set that refuses to budget, choosing instead to cast blame on everyone who won't do it their way. This whole process was very irresponsible on the part of someone who is campaigning hard to be the next VP of the US.

[Robyn]

When I need to make a major purchase in my personal life, my first plan of action is never to get a second job to bring in more money. The first action is to look at my budget and savings, analyze where I may be wasting money (eating out too often etc.) and then make the necessary adjustments to make the purchase, if it’s truly a priority.

I applaud the Lt. Governor and others in this special session who tried to bring the same principles to the Transportation problem in our state. Times are getting tougher for VA families with increased gas and grocery costs. Before we ask those families to fork out more of their hard earned money, the State needs to show that it has made it’s own efforts to solve the funding issue. How could anyone have disagreed with those commonsense proposals?

While I think Kaine was making a good decision to further discussions about Transportation, let's face it... to begin a full blown session when everyone knew there was no consensus was not wise.

[Boo Hamilton]

It's Bolling and his ilk that killed any viable proposals. Senator Saslaw’s legislation (SB 6009) was a good bill especially since they stripped the gas tax portion from it. But the no new taxes bubbas, weren't satisfied with that. Instead, it was partisan politics as usual. Total waste of time.

[Bitter Typical White Person]

What contemptible blather by Bolling.

The Governor stated time and time again that his proposal was a starting point and not a "my way or the highway (not pun intended" proposal. Failure to find common ground rest on the gop; obstructionist who kowtow to the extreme right wing in the Commonwealth.

[Former GOP]

What a sad commentary by Bolling in many telling ways. Instead of being part of a solution, he and other "no tax pledge" far-righters cast mud, shallow excuses, and useless blame. I look forward to our Commonwealth continuing to become more and more of a progressive state instead of a conservative backwater.