Republicans urge Kaine role on roads

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Virginia Republicans say Gov. Timothy M. Kaine should play a bigger role in helping lawmakers reach a compromise on the transportation budget.

"It is game time now," Delegate L. Scott Lingamfelter, Prince William County Republican, told The Washington Times. "All the pre-game rhetoric is done with. I think the governor has to decide now to get behind the plan that has the best chance of passing. That is the House Republicans' plan."

Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling, a Republican, said Mr. Kaine has been "missing in action" and thinks he and fellow Democrats would rather see talks fail so they can rip Republicans this fall when all 140 seats of the General Assembly are up for election.

"I'm not sure what role he has played," Mr. Bolling said. "When you look at it, the only thing he has done has been counterproductive."

Mr. Bolling said Mr. Kaine offered a transportation proposal last month that was almost identical to a plan rejected last year.

Kevin Hall, Mr. Kaine's spokesman, shrugged off the criticism.

"Governor Kaine has been and will continue to be actively in the discussion he prompted 14 months ago," Mr. Hall said. "The governor has worked closely with leaders from both parties in both chambers through what is a legislative process, and will continue to urge the leadership to work toward a consensus."

The transportation fight, largely among Republican leaders in the General Assembly, has dominated state politics since Mr. Kaine took office last year.

Political insiders say disgruntled Republicans are either not closely involved in negotiations or are ignoring the progress made this legislative session.

The House and Senate have reached a general agreement on borrowing $2 billion, regional plans for Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads, raising fees on abusive drivers, a $10 annual increase in car registration fees, and a 1.5-cent increase in the diesel fuel tax.