Look, I don't agree 100% with every aspect of Tim Kaine's transportation proposal. The main thing for me is that I want even MORE "smart growth" than the Governor has proposed. Having said that, I believe that Kaine is making a courageous and long overdue effort on this issue, and I say "Kudos to Kaine" for that! Also, there's no doubt that Kaine's willingness to tackle this extremely difficult issue only weeks into his governership shows real leadership. I'm very impressed.The bottom line is that finding a way out of gridlock is absolutely critical to Virginia's economic future. Which is why I'm thrilled to see Kainepushing so hard on this issue, including a forum yesterday in Loudoun County - "the commonwealth's fastest-growing county and one of its most traffic-choked," in the Washington Post's words. As the Post points out, Loudoun is also "home to most of the 33rd Senate District, where newly minted state Sen. Mark R. Herring (D) won a special election Tuesday with a message of controlling growth and improving transportation." Obviously, "smart growth" and fixing traffic gridlock are issues with big-time political "legs," as SENATOR Herring and GOVERNOR Kaine will no doubt attest. And, as Mick Staton will no doubt attest, being seen as standing in the way of progress on this issue poses great political risks.
The next few weeks will be fascinating, and crucial. Kaine is saying that he will not "walk away without a deal," and rightly so. Kaine is also threatening to "force the issue by calling a special session or extending the current one, which is scheduled to end March 11." Excellent - do NOT let the General Assembly leave Richmond without making major progress on transportation. Even if they have to stay until June, they simply MUST deal with this issue, which has festered for far too long. As Del. Joe May (R-Loudoun) correctly points out, Kaine is "not advocating his own program or the Senate's program. He's saying, 'We need a deal.' And I agree."
May and Kaine are right: the time for kicking this can down the (traffic clogged) road is over. Let's make a deal!