Saslaw's plan for roads runs only one way

His nickname at the state Capitol is Sassy, but the names Democrats and Republicans have applied to Senate Majority Leader Richard Saslaw last week can't be repeated in polite company.

The fiery Fairfax Democrat is trying to ram a gas tax increase through the legislature to fund transportation needs despite overwhelming Republican opposition and misgivings from most members of his party, including Gov. Tim Kaine.

"I'm down here to solve a problem and not make people feel good," Saslaw said in an interview.

He proved that when he took to the Senate floor to criticize Kaine for spending too little time building support for his road plan. Saslaw has refused to back Kaine's proposal, which relies on taxes from automobile and real estate sales, complaining that the $728 million it generates in the first year is inadequate.

Senate Democrats have sided with Saslaw, but some are privately chagrined to be at odds with their governor. House Democrats are backing Kaine and publicly promising to help Republicans kill Saslaw's gas tax. Although many believe the user fee is the best way to bankroll road construction, they are convinced it is politically toxic as long as fuel prices remain at $4 per gallon.

"Saslaw is a guy who, if he thinks he's right, there's no compromising and no listening," said Del. Lionell Spruill, D-Chesapeake. "The way he talks to folks is one reason people won't help him. If he'd sit down and talk in a nice, rational way he might convince us, but we have an election next year and the Senate doesn't. He's not concerned about us."

Saslaw offers no reassurances to the contrary, grumbling, "People have to ask themselves what difference does it make who controls the House if they're all anti-tax."

The Democrat's political isolation contrasts with most of his three decades in the legislature. Saslaw's wisecracking charm has won him friends in both parties. When his gas tax bill was vetted on Friday before the House Rules Committee, Saslaw quipped, "Based on what I've heard, I'm asking for a cigarette and a blindfold."

He burns up nervous energy during long Senate sessions prowling the aisles, munching peanuts and cracking jokes. In debates, he disarms opponents with a wide grin and an explosive "Give me a break!" or "Did I just arrive from Mars or what?"

But this year Democrats hold a 21-19 majority in the Senate, and the pressure on Saslaw is starting to show. The majority leader's contrarianism has inspired comparisons to former Republican Sen. John Chichester, who frequently sparred with GOP Gov. Jim Gilmore, but there are telling differences.

Chichester built consensus with a combination of persuasion, budget horse-trading and back-room skullduggery. He hated politics, shunning fundraising and election strategy huddles.

Saslaw relies on arm-twisting and temper fits to corral votes. He's bluntly honest about his intentions, but has had trouble closing a deal. He's an aggressive partisan who poured more than $500,000 into Senate campaign efforts last fall to seal the Democratic majority. Among his top contributors are Realtors and car dealers, both of whom strongly object to taxes that Kaine's transportation plan would place on their industries.

With Saslaw's gas tax bill on a high-speed trajectory toward the House trash bin, Democrats are hoping he'll be ready to consider alternatives. But Saslaw insists he'll just keep lobbing gas taxes into the House until delegates come to their senses.

"That's just me," he said.

Christina Nuckols is an editorial writer for The Virginian-Pilot. Reach her at (804) 697-1562 or christina.nuckols@pilotonline.com.