Thursday, January 14, 2010
Kaine focuses on finances in exit speech
He said Virginia made "amazing advances" despite dealing with the tough economy.
Related
From today's paper
Watch live video from the General Assembly
Who's your legislator?
More resources
The State of the Commonwealth
Word cloud
RICHMOND -- Gov. Tim Kaine said farewell to the General Assembly on Wednesday night, delivering a sometimes emotional valedictory that included a jab at Republicans who fought him on transportation funding and another pitch for a budget plan that is certain to be overhauled.
In his final State of the Commonwealth address, Kaine covered his administration's successes, touched briefly on its shortcomings and said Virginia made "amazing advances" despite dealing with the worst economy since the Great Depression.
"We have not shrunk from the job," Kaine said. "Instead, together, we have met the challenge through hard work and innovative governance -- and Virginia stands in a unique position because of our efforts."
Kaine, a Democrat, will leave office Saturday, turning the keys to the governor's mansion and a $4.2 billion budget shortfall over to Republican Bob McDonnell. On Wednesday night, Kaine made one more appeal for his budget-balancing plan, which combines $2.3 billion in spending cuts with an end to the state's car tax relief subsidies, the elimination of the personal property tax on vehicles and an income tax increase.
"I truly believe that I've presented you with a budget that will create the opportunity for the forward-looking investments Virginia needs," said Kaine, who made no direct reference to his proposed 1 percent income tax "surcharge."
The budget battle will dominate the 60-day legislative session and test the negotiating skills of leaders in the Republican-controlled House of Delegates and Democrat-controlled Senate.
McDonnell and Republican legislative leaders have vowed to oppose tax increases, signaling that they will balance the budget largely through deep spending cuts that will affect essential public services.
"By necessity, this means that state government will be spending less and, in some cases, will do fewer things," said House Majority Leader Morgan Griffith, R-Salem, in the GOP's formal response to Kaine's speech. "In our view, this approach is far superior to increasing the tax burden on Virginians, which would only serve to exacerbate an already overstressed economy and further delay recovery."
Kaine touted the strides that the state has made in education, economic development, mental health, child welfare and land conservation. And he boasted of the national accolades Virginia has received for its management and business climate.
But he also took note of the state's failure to fix its crumbling transportation system and his unsuccessful efforts to win support for new taxes for roads and transit. Kaine said he could not overcome "a philosophy, espoused by some, that it is always wrong to raise taxes or fees."
If previous leaders had taken such a view, Kaine said, "We would have no community college system, we would have dirty rivers, we would have a lackluster public education system and even fewer roads."
Griffith shrugged off Kaine's criticism, saying, "He thinks the people of Virginia should pay more taxes and somehow we managed to be one of the best states in the nation without raising taxes like California."
Sen. John Edwards, D-Roanoke, said Kaine underscored the consequences of shortchanging transportation.
"It was a disappointment to him, but it wasn't his fault," Edwards said.
Kaine's final State of the Commonwealth speech capped a subdued opening day in the General Assembly, where time-honored ceremonies were tempered by the grim reality of the budget crisis.
Twenty new delegates took their seats in the House, including Republican Bill Cleaveland of Botetourt County.
"It's just a sigh of relief to finally be here," said Cleaveland, who won a five-way Republican primary and the November general election to earn his seat. "I'm really excited about it. ... I'm still kind of pinching myself a little bit."
While Cleaveland and his fellow freshman lawmakers got acclimated, Kaine said goodbye. The outgoing governor became teary-eyed near the end of his speech when he thanked his wife, Anne Holton, and his family. He praised lawmakers and state workers, thanked Virginia citizens and said he "had the full experience of serving in the best and worst of times."
The low points Kaine cited included the shootings at Virginia Tech on April 16, 2007, which he called "one of the most tragic days in our state's history."
"I rejoiced on the great days and prayed for strength on the hard days, humbled and honored to play my small role in the grand sweep of Virginia history," Kaine said.
