RICHMOND -- Virginia Republicans are mounting an aggressive public relations effort to build support for a $2.5 billion transportation bond package and accusing critics -- including Gov. Tim Kaine -- of misrepresenting the proposal for political gain.

Republican leaders from both houses of the General Assembly staged a press conference Wednesday to rebut assertions that their transportation bill could jeopardize funding for essential state services such as education, public safety and health care for the poor and elderly. And the state Republican Party has unveiled a television ad for the Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads markets in which viewers are urged to tell Kaine to "stop playing politics" with the issue.

Kaine has harshly criticized the legislation, partly because it relies on general fund revenue to retire debt. He has promised to make significant changes to the bill before lawmakers return to Richmond in April to act on legislation that the governor amends and vetoes. Kaine could veto the bill if lawmakers reject his amendments.

House of Delegates Speaker Bill Howell, R-Stafford County, suggested that critics of the transportation bill have their eyes on the November legislative elections, when Democrats hope to shrink GOP majorities in the General Assembly.

"The ultimate enactment of this bill hinges on one simple question: Do those expressing opposition to this measure want to seize this opportunity to improve transportation, or do they want to attempt to gain political points for the November elections?" Howell said.

The bond package is a key component of a multifaceted transportation bill that passed the General Assembly on Saturday, shortly before the 46-day legislative session ended.

Howell and other GOP leaders disputed Kaine's claim that the transportation bill would compromise funding of other state services. They said debt service payments would never exceed 1 percent of the general fund budget, which will be $17.3 billion in the fiscal year that begins July 1.

"We're not talking about widows and orphans being denied benefits," Howell said. "We're not talking about starving K-12 education. We're talking about less than one penny for every tax dollar sent to the general fund."

Del. Dave Albo, R-Fairfax County, tried to illustrate the point with toy blocks that belong to his 18-month-old son. Albo put a small red block on top of a tower of blue blocks to represent the portion of the general fund that would go toward debt payments.

"I cannot understand why everybody is having a fit over the general fund impact when this is all it is," Albo said.

Kaine and Democratic lawmakers argue that the debt service requirement limits the state's ability to direct general fund revenue growth to meet new demands for schools, Medicaid and other basic services. Kaine did not back off that position Wednesday during a visit to Raleigh Court Elementary School in Roanoke.

"I just don't think the right thing to solve our road problems is to take the money away from schools and school kids," Kaine said. "We don't pit schoolbooks against asphalt. To me that's a nonstarter."

In addition to a statewide borrowing package, House Bill 3202 would allow localities in Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads to increase certain taxes and fees for regional projects. Vehicle registration fees would increase by $10 statewide, and drivers with eight or more demerit points would pay substantial fees to keep their licenses.

Sen. Ken Stolle, R-Virginia Beach, called the bill "the only hope for a transportation solution" and said major revisions by Kaine could scuttle the bill.

"It would be my hope that everybody acts responsibly and that we pass a package this year," Stolle said.

Kaine, while visiting Roanoke on Wednesday afternoon, said lawmakers should be open to changes.

"I am going to do some significant rewriting of this transportation bill so that it will really work," the governor said. "Anybody who is sincere about solving the problem will be open to the amendments I will put on the table."

Staff writer David Harrison contributed to this report.