Gov. Kaine Modifies Promise on Taxes

The campaign is over, the oath of office has been taken and now we find out what the Governor meant when he said he would not raise taxes until the Constitution was amended to protect transportation funds.

In the following statements made during the campaign. Kaine spelled out his tax and tranportation plans.

CANDIDATES FOR GOVERNOR TRADE BARBS IN 1ST DEBATE
Virginian-Pilot, July 17, 2005

Kaine repeated that he will not support a tax increase or new revenue source for road building until the state constitution is amended to prevent the legislature from borrowing those funds for other purposes. Under that limit, he could not consider new funding proposals until 2009.

Candidates offer transportation ideas
TIMES-DISPATCH, Oct 26, 2005


Kaine said he has no plan to raise the gas tax, but he doesn't rule it out either. His campaign says he is open to discussing tolls but that he generally opposes tolls on current roads to pay for projects elsewhere.

"I'm not taking a no-tax pledge, and I'm not taking a tax-by-referendum pledge. But I won't support increases to the revenue sources unless the legislature, you know, is just rock-solid on protecting the [trust-fund] monies for the advertised purpose," he said.

emphasis mine

Now the rubber hits the road and we find that there is a nuance to his plan to wait until the amendment is passed before increasing taxes.

Governor, Senate leaders unveil transportation plans
Virginian-Pilot, January 21, 2006

House Republicans immediately pounced on the new governor, accusing him of backing away from a commitment.

"It didn't take him long to break his promise not to raise taxes without a lock box," said Del. Clarke N. Hogan, R-Halifax. "That affects his credibility."

Kaine insisted he never promised to delay action on transportation needs until the three-year process for amending the constitution was completed. He vowed to veto any budget or legislation that shifted money away from transportation projects.

So what is it? Wait until 2009 as he said on Oct 26, or pass them now with a promise of an amendment? It never ceases to amaze me how quick a politician can abandon a promise made in campaign once the office he desired is secure. Also curious is the rush to grab funds before any real plans are made as to what the projects will be. If some specific proposals were available to judge by the public then perhaps some taxes may be accepted in light of the budgetary situation, but just sweeping up a pile of money first doesn't reassure the voter that a spending frenzy is not far behind.

Gov. Kaine should stick with his promise that until an amendment is passed, no tax increases will be sought. Without the control in place first, the politicians can't be trusted to spend the funds as intended. It is precisely the situation the we had with the lottery money. They said it would be for education, but it went straight to the general fund. It took many years to get a lock box on the lottery funds to stop the spending of them on general expenses. There is no reason to expect that this time will be any different.

Gov. Kaine, stop trying to scam the public and keep your promise.

Hat tip to PHenry

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HELLO IRAQ links with Gov. Kaine speaks with a forked tongue.