Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine renewed his threat Thursday to veto the Republican-authored transportation funding bill on his desk, but also remained hopeful that he and GOP lawmakers could agree on changes to the legislation.
Kaine has until Monday to propose amendments to the massive, 105-page bill. Legislators will convene April 4 to consider the changes and could reject them, which would set up a possible veto.
“I will sign a great bill, a good bill or even a modest bill,” Kaine told the Dulles Regional Chamber of Commerce on Thursday morning. “But I will not sign a bill that is harmful.”
Kaine is concerned that the $120 million to $184 million the funding package would take from the commonwealth’s general fund would harm core services such as education, public safety and health. Republicans consider the general fund cash essential because they want to keep government spending in check — the money will not be available for new programs if it is earmarked to repay bonds, as is the case with the transportation bill.
Kaine told the Chamber of Commerce that he would be offering amendments that would be “deal-makers, not deal-killers,” indicating that the amendments would reduce but not eliminate the general fund revenue. Kaine also would have to propose another way to raise the revenue that would have come from the general fund.
Whether that will be acceptable to the House of Delegates is unknown.
“There are some of us in the House that would accept less from the general fund and there are some that would not,” said Del. Tom Rust, R-Herndon. “I am not sure how many are on each side.”
Hoping to avoid a standoff over the legislation, Republican legislative leaders and Kaine met Thursday evening to discuss the bill. After the meeting, GOP chieftains appeared optimistic even though nothing was decided.
“We had a good discussion with the governor,” said House Speaker William Howell, R-Stafford. “We came to no conclusions. We are working to make it the best bill it can be.”
