Kaine says Virginians are open to tax increase for roads

"Kaine couldn't give a flying you know what about suggestions or comments so it is worthless to waste the air. He has his mind made up and nothing and I mean NOTHING will change his mind"

C.B. with all due respect it sounds like you have given up on trying to do anything except post on here. I don't always agree with Kairn, heck I don't always agree with anyone, but what I do is continue to stay in touch with them regarding my concerns. I really wish more people would!

It would have suited me as well because I totally agree. The only thing that irks me is that the state's planning and budget department expect "For the 2008-2010 biennium, total state resources available for appropriation are projected to equal $80.4 billion". Out of that amount around 10 billion is appropriated to transportation. To me, the priority of allocation starts with special interest and pet projects before major funding begins. Kind of like how the air force does business. I think we would have plenty to go around if someone could muster the ability to say no but that is not politically expediant. Now the governor wants more?

That should have been directed to George, not CB.

If, in the panic to "Do Something" we accept the MPO projects, we will have committed the next 30 years of our road funds to a set of projects that will do little to ease congestion in our area. Then, those funds will be gone and unavailable to do the things we really do need to do.

If you think mustering the political will to get anything done is hard now, imagine trying to get through another, better chosen, set of projects after the taxpayers have thrown away $9 billion on these projects and see no improvement for their money.

We need to get this right, not just "Do Something," because if we don't, there won't be another chance.

"He has his mind made up and nothing and I mean NOTHING will change his mind"

Take a look at the GOP, Kaine isn't the only one who won't change his mind. The fact still remains we cannot wait decades longer to resolve our transportation needs. Something has to give!

The Tidewater Libertarian Party presented Kaine with an alternate, and superior, funding plan. http://tinyurl.com/4kwcjh I gave it to him at the VA Beach town hall meeting myself. He chose to ignore it and the Pilot chose to misreport it. The VBTA, Tertium Quids and other organizations also offered recommendations.

So, stop with the claims no one has offered an alternative, we have, but it seems only plans offered by government are afforded any consideration.

This is not about improving traffic here in Tidewater, it is about paying off special interests. The town hall meetings were shams, with Kaine calling on speakers from the Chamber of Commerce by their first names.

If we want to stop the waste of our earnings, we must show up at the polls and un-elect any representative who goes along with this fraud. If we keep sitting on our hands with 14% turnout at the polls, we deserve what we are about to get. BOHICA

Kaine couldn't give a flying you know what about suggestions or comments so it is worthless to waste the air. He has his mind made up and nothing and I mean NOTHING will change his mind about the need for a $1 billion tax increase to support his and the legislatures poor spending habits at my expense. On top of that, his MPO plan does little to nothing to help conjestion. That my friend is a cold hard fact. He is just another socialist spendocrat that thought because Warner baffooned us, maybe he can too. Show me where transportation funds will be locked down with no diversion of funds, period. That includes what he is already diverting. He is unwilling to commit and will only give you that stupid awkward eyebrow look.

Kaine did ask you, he asked everyone to attend the many townhall meeting being held around the area. He asked for your comments and suggestions. Did you attend? No? I didn't think so.

Please explain to me how we go from a $500 million dollar transportation surplus at the end of 2006 which did not include over $350 million left over from the year before, unspent, to a $400 million deficiet today? The surplus money has been diverted to other programs, so because of poor planning and allocation of funding, we are supposed to pony up AGAIN due to mismanagement. NO, NO, NO to more taxes. This open ended stealing from the transportation "trust" (cough) is a major influence on avaiable funding for transportation needs. I will not stand for bloviating democrats singing the transportation tune to basically get another huge tax increase for whatever they want to spend it on besides transportation. We were lied to by Warner just 4 years ago. Sorry, I don't forget that easy. BTW, I am a Virginian and Kaine did not ask me so he LIED again.

I'd be happy to pay hefty tolls if I could just get across to Hampton without sitting in traffic everytime. The HRBT needs a high big bridge added so we can move all the cars faster even with accidents, breakdowns and rubberneckers.

I'm curious how you all would fix our transportation problem. No one likes taxes or tolls, so I'd like to hear other options.

Will those morons in Richmond ever get it?

If they could ABSOLUTELY GUARANTEE that the funds collected would go towards the intended use, I MIGHT be supportive of a tax increase. But since they CAN'T, I DON'T!

Let's spend more wisely and look elsewhere for funds (rather than your and my pockets).

Which Virginians want to pay more new taxes so the folks in Richmond can waste it?? Our Governor is way off the mark, his only solution is to tax more..How about spending less!!

About boring blathering comments about Republicans. Don't read them. Problem solved!

Warner pushed through the highest tax increase in VA history after convincing the Republicans to go along. Why didn't that tax increase fix the transportation problem....George? Now, less than 4 years and 1 more Democratic govenor later, here they come again with the hand out. If Warner really "solved the budget crisis 4 years ago" like you all love to claim; why are we claiming a crisis now? Why did Kaine raid the trans dollars for his pet uneeded pre k program? What will keep it from happenig again?

No answers eh George? Tounge tied? Kitty got your tongue? Or is the only answer you have for any legitimate question the borish blathering about Republicans being the cause of everything that is wrong in the tin foil hat world you live in?

I guess McD will make a better governor???? He has already proven himself, by doing nothing (typical) on the transportation issue other than request yet another VDOT audit. 4 Years of McD, I don't think so! The GA GOP passed the buck (typical) by not voting and sending the bill straight to the House. WOW! I'm impressed!

Of course George, it's all "our" fault. And you too. Funny thing, you socialist carry on about how great Warner was. He pushed through the highest tax increase in VA history after convincing the Republicans to go along. Why didn't that tax increase fix the transportation problem....George? Now, less than 4 years and 1 more Democratic govenor later, here they come again with the hand out. If Warner really "solved the budget crisis 4 years ago" like you all love to claim; why are we claiming a crisis now? Why did Kaine raid the trans dollars for his pet uneeded pre k program? What will keep it from happenig again? We cannot afford another Democratic gov who will no doubt be crying crisis and looking for funding for his pre project.....as transportation sits rotting yet still.

Kaine asked everyone to attend the many townhall meeting he held looking for comments and suggestions. Did you attend? NO! You don't want to carpool, you can't drive without a cell at you mouth, you drive recekless which causes accidents and increases the gridlocks. McD the wannabe Governor can't come up with any idea other than a VDOT audit, and there have already been 8 since 2000. So here we sit waiting for the GA to come up with answers, and dollars to donuts they won't which will put us at a higher dollar amount in the future to fix our transportation woes. Way to go folks, you want to blame anyone and everyone, but yourself.

What Fortune 500 Co. would want locate here with the road gridlock? I don't want to pay any more taxes than I have to but there are "costs" to having such congested roads. They waste gas, are more dangerous, and add stress to commuters.

Tennessee has GREAT roads, no income tax, not so great schools, and a 10.5 cent sales tax. You would think VA could do better.

I would rather my money be wasted in Iraq, than used on something useful like roads.

and actually start paying heavy taxes, you might understand. Knowing you don't buy gas, own a home, or make major purchases as a student on the dole.
Quote "Hmm...their response is "we love sitting in traffic" (because they don't want to fund anything). Sound about right VBTA? You sure do like sitting in traffic because you don't want to do anything (too selfish or too greedy?)"
What you don't understand as yet, probably because you haven't been alive long enough is.....raising taxes has not and will not do anything to reduce sitting in traffic or get any of the needed projects built. Nothing to do with selfish or greedy. Has to do with having common sense and being able to recall history. Our situation didn't happen over night. We work hard for our money and would like to put something back for retirement or food in our childrens mouths. High taxes hurt local businesses and thus.....hurts us.

Democratic or Republican? It doesn't matter. Bottom line roads need to be fixed/built. If familes were restricted to 1 or 2 cars per family maybe traffic would improve. In stead greedy americans need a car per person. You do not get anything for free. Remember freedom isn't free. You have to pay for it.

Those who voted for him (Democrats) should be the ones to pay the new taxes...LEAVE ME OUT!

I see the Hampton Roads Partnership is spending our tax dollars on 'education' again. A benign website called beatgridlock.com is being sponsored by our friends down in Norfolk. Of course the actual website doesn't give any indication of who is sponsoring it, but when you do a whois lookup, the truth comes out. Look you politicians and business owners, why do you try to hide behind obscure websites and BS names here on Pilot Online? Do you think the citizens aren't on to your tactics?

So Gov. Kaine thinks Virginians are "open to new taxes", does he? He must be talking about some OTHER Virginians in some alternate universe. Here on Planet Earth, I'm having a hard time finding people who think yet more taxes are the swellest idea ever. Virginians are already taxed-and-fee'd to the max, and with prices on just about everything skyrocketing the average taxpayer doesn't need to fund yet more of the GA's pork, er, PET projects. Cut the waste in government spending and use what we already give you more efficiently, gentlemen, and THEN maybe we'll talk new taxes.

I always thought the Democrats were for the working man. Well, it doesn't look as if any party is for the working man. $1.1 billion tax hike!!!
Sounds like it is time for another "Boston Tea Party". High Gas prices, home foreclosures, jobs farmed out overseas, Companies closing down, and he wants to RAISE TAXES! Who is he kidding? Who is going to pay for this? People on fixed incomes? People on welfare? I think not. Who's pockets will this "Tax Hike" line now? I am surprised they don't tax the air we breathe. Probably only a matter of time. I am against any Tax Hike doing this bad time. Write your assembly member and urge them to vote down this tax hike.

Hmm...their response is "we love sitting in traffic" (because they don't want to fund anything). Sound about right VBTA? You sure do like sitting in traffic because you don't want to do anything (too selfish or too greedy?)

If you like paying taxes so much....pay more. You can do it ya know. No need to wait on a bunch of fiscally responsible Republicans. How many miles of road have been built with the recent tax increases from Warner?
VDOT is privatized??? Ha hahahaha!!! Well....that's certainly a well kept secret. How many of you actually benefited from the repeal of the estate tax? Well...count me as one. Taxes for "wealthy" cheaper with Bush eh? Define "wealthy". Do the below actual rates indicate the middle class is worse off? Hint...NO. I guess these folks are "wealthy".
Taxes under Clinton 1999 Taxes under Bush 2008
Single making 30K - tax $8,400 Single making 30K - tax $4,500
Single making 50K - tax $14,000 Single making 50K - tax $12,500
Single making 75K - tax $23 ,250 Single making 75K - tax $18,750
Married making 60K - tax $16,800 Married making 60K- tax $9,000
Married making 75K - tax $21,000 Married making 75K - tax $18,750
Married making 125K - tax $38,750 Married making 125K - tax $31,250

Conservative Republicans whining about taxes sound like a bunch of hillbillies crying about “revenuers” coming to trash their stills. Or Chicken Little about the falling sky. First Gov. Allen destroyed VDOT by privatizing it. Then Gov. Gilmore finished of the state’s budget with that idiotic “No Car Tax” scheme. Bush’s tax cuts for the rich and the war now have the country on the verge of collapse. Republicans smoke and mirror economics do nothing but create deficits. How many of you actually benefited from the repeal of the estate tax? If you don’t like paying taxes, you should volunteer to help build the roads yourself for free. Or move to the Caribbean like all the other Republican tax cheats.

Most of us in the Hampton Roads area do not support a hike in taxes. Just another example of Kaine being wrong again. Just how much of my money do you and Kaine want me to pay? What percentage of my money is the highest you would impose on me? Our roads are fine here as far as I'm concerened, they are only exceeding capacity during rush hours. For a grand total of like 6 hours out of 24. That means for 18 hours of a day our roads are under utilized. So what if I'm stuck in my work van without working AC for an hour and a half trying to get home to Norfolk from Newport News. At least I have a job and I'm earning an income. Raise my taxes asap and how long will it take to "fix" our roads? 10 years? ha-ha-ha! That's how long the other Socialist (Obama) said extra offshore drilling would take to make an impact. Don't you wish you Liberal-socialist dim-whit-ocrats had allowed drilling 10 years ago? We would be benefitting from it by now. The more oil they sell the more oil you get to tax! Duh!