Bad Deal - or No Deal - by the Republicans?

By: Lowell
Published On: 1/17/2007 11:33:18 AM

According to today's Washington Post ("Republicans 'Very Close' to Deal on Road Money: GOP Leaders Try to Persuade Holdouts to Agree to Increases in Taxes, Fees and Fines"), leaders of the Virginia GOP are nearing an intra-party deal on transporation funding.  This comes after more than a year of utter stalemate, during which time House Republicans opposed any tax increases to pay for desperately needed transportation improvements in our state.  So, we should all be happy that the Republicans are near a deal, right?  Uhhh...not so fast:

Democrats, who are in the minority in both chambers, also made it clear this week that they will not simply vote blindly to approve whatever the Republicans agree to among themselves.

Several House Democrats from Northern Virginia said they are concerned that the Republican proposals will not generate enough money for mass transit projects. And some Senate Democrats said they are likely to oppose the plan because it relies too heavily on money that is traditionally reserved for schools, police and health care.

In other words, Republicans apparently are planning to do two things here: 1) stiff mass transit; and 2) raid the general fund, taking needed money away from critical priorities (education, health care, law enforcement, etc), instead of raising a steady new stream of revenues, to pay for road building. Yeah, that sounds like the Republican Way alright, at least the Virginia Republican Way.

Anyway, if this is what the Republicans are talking about, they're going to face some serious opposition.  According to Senate Democratic Leader Richard L. Saslaw (D-Fairfax), "If it's what has been rumored, I won't vote for it and I'll do everything I can to kill it."  Saslaw also urges Governor Kaine not to "abandon his long-standing opposition to the use of 'general fund' money for transportation," adding that "It would certainly be a complete reversal of what he has been saying."  Hmmm...can we say "shot across the bow" or what?

There's also the question as to whether Republican anti-tax flat-earthers will go along even with this internal Republican deal.  Will incumbent Republicans want to risk challenges from anti-tax, "Club for Growth" Republicans in primaries this spring, just like two years ago?  Or, will they simply knuckle under to pressure from Speaker Howell, Congressman Davis, Chairman Gillespie, et al? (Howell to recalcitrant Republicans: "Yes, you will [vote for it]")

Should be a fun next few weeks in Richmond!

Comments



Wonder where they stay.... (phriendlyjaime - 1/17/2007 11:56:27 AM)
I've always wondered where they stay while in Richmond...I'd love to take the camera out at night and catch them playing after a long day at the GA.  ;)


NLS says Tom Davis is there (Andrea Chamblee - 1/17/2007 12:28:01 PM)
Not fixing the problem, of course. Bullying legislators for his wife

http://notlarrysabat...



Its going to take compromise from everyone (novamiddleman - 1/17/2007 12:37:01 PM)
The republicans are compromising and the D response is to criticize

I understand the need to fight for your agenda but is this really the position you want 

Flip it around for a second the Ds control the legislature and there is an R governor.  The Ds want to do something one way and the Rs another way.  The Ds come up with an alternative plan and the Rs begin to attack it.  Think about what you would writing about the Rs.  Just some food for thought 

Should be a fun next few weeks in Richmond :)



Typical Republican All or nothing attitude... (mosquitopest - 1/17/2007 1:56:37 PM)
Again the Republicans have shown no ability to open up their minds, consider all the alternatives and option and work in a bipartisan manner to compromise and come up with a solution.

What has become of real conservatives and moderates in the Republican party? 

Looks like in VA the name should be changed to the Pat Robertson Jerry Falwell George Bush NEOCON Republican party.

Meanwhile we sit in traffic until we can vote those fools out of office....

Buzz...Buzz....



What? (novamiddleman - 1/17/2007 2:33:56 PM)
I will be the first to admit the Rs aren't perfect but cmon.  The Rs are bending and Kaine and the Ds will have to bend.

The Majority of Republicans ARE opening up their minds, considering alternatives and option and working to compromise and come up with a solution.

Once this compromise is finalized it will be sent over to the Ds for counteroffers by adjusting from the original D proposal.

Then and only then after the Rs AND Ds compromise from their original positions negotiations should begin to hopefully find a solution that can be agreeable to all

The actual solution will upset those from the far right and the far left but it will ultimately be what is best for Virginia

Believe it or not the goodwill expressed by Kaine and the rebuttal during the state of the commonwealth is in effect.



Dick Saslaw is the "far left?" (Lowell - 1/17/2007 4:59:32 PM)
Huh?


Your comment must have a title/subject (novamiddleman - 1/17/2007 5:31:37 PM)
I never said Dick Saslaw is a member of the Far Left. 

I would say that Senator Saslaw was wearing his senate minority leader hat when he was saying his comments.  I don't really blame him for what he said, it's his job to try and get what the democrats want and talking to the media is one way to do that.  It was rather interesting for him to remind Kaine in the press. 

My point was and always has been on transportation nobody is going to get what they totally want.  This usually makes partisan far whatever people on both sides of the aisle upset because each side has to "give in" a little.

 



The only point I'd make is that there are (Lowell - 1/17/2007 6:00:59 PM)
good compromises and bad compromises.  A compromise developed by Republicans, of Republicans, and for Republicans makes me a bit suspicious.  When I start hearing talk about raiding the general fund (and taking money from education, health care, environment, public safety...), I go beyond suspicious to outright opposition.  When I start hearing that mass transit will get shafted, I go into even stronger outright opposition. In other words, this is sounding like a really, really bad compromise, with no input from the Democrats.  If that's what it is, I say, "No thanks."


We shall see what the actual "plan" is (novamiddleman - 1/17/2007 7:26:33 PM)
In the meantime, I wouldn't expect you to support the plan outright :-p.  However please keep in mind, this plan took alot of effort from Republicans of all stripes and there were at least some members of the negotiation team paying attention to what the governor has been saying.  You have to trust me on that last one :)  It is my hope that the democrats will be constructive and realisitc when they receive the plan. 

Raiding the general fund might be the scared cow of the Ds just like no new taxes was for the house R.  It might have to be sacrificed for the common good.  Additionally transit might be reduced.  Say this plan has it at 600 million and you want 1 billion.  I think it is reasonable to settle on 800 million would you? 

I appreciate the discussion and look forward to seeing how this issue is resolved.