RICHMOND, VA - Virginia House of Delegates Speaker William J. Howell (R-Stafford) today issued the following statement regarding the opinion of a judge in Henrico General District Court that the civil remedial fees, which are part of the Comprehensive Transportation Funding and Reform Act of 2007, are unconstitutional:"I am surprised by today's holding in the Henrico County District Court that Governor Kaine's Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute to the Comprehensive Transportation Funding and Reform Act of 2007 is unconstitutional," said Speaker Howell.
"Prior to its passage by overwhelming bipartisan majorities of the legislature on April 4 of this year, the legislation was thoroughly and painstakingly reviewed by both the Kaine Administration and the Office of the Attorney General, among other legal experts.
"Members of the General Assembly will continue to monitor closely the legal proceedings surrounding any litigation of the Governor's Amendment and consider legislative remedies so the law is applied evenly to in-state and out-of-state drivers, as we always intended, and fulfills our intent to deter and punish the most dangerous and repeat abusers of Virginia roads."
Can you by chance read something into this press release from Mr. Howell?
Can we all now agree to quit the talk about "Kaine trying to appease Bill Howell", "just getting a transportation package through", etc.
To Democrats: The offensive position is oh so much more rewarding than being on the defensive where you're always going to receive the sucker punch!
-That Is All-
-Gov. Kaine is not running for re-election this year
-Gov. Kaine will not be running for re-election in 2009 either.
-This year, the General Assembly is on the ballot, not the Governor.