Virginia Democrats and Republicans today threw their support behind the presidential bids of Illinois Senator Barrack Obama, a Democrat, and Arizona Sen. John McCain, a Republican, respectively.

Seventeen House Democrats endorsed Mr. Obama earlier today at a press conference, joining Gov. Tim Kaine, a Democrat, who endorsed his fellow Harvard Law school grad within eyeshot of the old Confederate Capitol about a year ago.

In an afternoon press conference, Republicans from the House and Senate voiced their support for McCain, who already has won the backing of Sen. John Warner and Rep. Tom Davis.

Delegate Chris Saxman, Staunton Republican, stood shoulder to shoulder with more than 25 McCain supporters, including Former Secretary of State Lawrence Eagleburger, POW Paul Galanti and Senator Walter Stosch of Henrico.

"He inspires me to serve others," Mr. Saxman said.

Asked about criticism that McCain has not always pleased conservatives, Mr. Eagleburger responded that most of those attacks comes from television and radio personalities who he called "reactionaries" and "so-called conservatives."

"I'm sick to death of people who says he is or isn't conservative enough," he said."He is not afraid to tell it as he sees it."

In today's paper The Washington Times editorial board weighed in on McCain's conservative credentials, saying, "Mr. McCain's positions don't exactly spell c-o-n-s-e-r-v-a-t-i-v-e."

The Obama endorsement came the same day it was announced his campaign had raised $32 million in the month of January alone and that it would be airing the following two commercials in The Old Dominion: "Enough" and "President".

In Virginia's Feb. 12 primary, Republicans will be fighting for the state's 63 national delegates, while the Democratic will be going for national 101 delegates. The numbers could prove to be of great importance should the race remain tight after Feb. 5, Super Tuesday, when more than 20 states participate.

McCain is expected to host an event in Charlottesville on Feb. 10, two days before Virginians vote in the presidential primary. And, if the race remains too close to call, Democrats expect New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Obama to speak at the Democratic Party of Virginia's annual Jefferson-Jackson Dinner and Celebration Feb. 9, 2008 at the Stuart C. Siegel Center in Richmond.

Obama was the keynote speaker last year, drawing the biggest crowd ever to attend the event.

Today, Democratic Delegates Bob Brink of Arlington, Dwight C. Jones of Richmond Democrat, Kenneth Alexander of Norfolk, Kristen Amundson of Mount Vernon and House Minority Leader Ward Armstrong of Martinsville repeated Obama's campaign theme of change.

"Take a look at the Virginians who are standing before you today to support Barack Obama for president," Brink said. "We are men and women, black and white. We represent cities and suburbs and rural areas from Arlington to Norfolk to Henry County."

"We are united in our conviction that Barrack Obama can bring real change to a broken political system," he also said.

Borrowing Obama's words from his South Carolina victory speech, Brink said the choice in this "is not between regions or religions or genders. It’s not about rich versus poor; young versus old; and it is not about black versus white. It’s about the past versus the future."

House Minority Leader Delegate Ward Armstrong, Martinsville Democrat, became one of Obama's newest supporters.

"Most of you know that until yesterday I was supporting John Edwards for president," Armstrong said. "I supported him in 2004 and I supported him until his withdrawal yesterday."

He also reminded reporters that the areas he represents has the highest unemployment rate in the state.

"If there is ever a district that needs Barack Obama's message of change, it is my district," Armstrong said.

Virginia Republicans are running out of patience with Gov. Tim Kaine's administration for not providing an updated revenue forecast.

"What we are trying to figure out is how we are going to balance this budget," Delegate Clarke N. Hogan, Halifax Republican and House Appropriations member, said today on the House floor. "We got a deadline on Feb. 17 that we have to meet whether we want to or not."

On Feb. 17, the money committees responsible for budget bills must complete their work by midnight.

Yesterday, Republicans learned the governor will start providing updated revenue numbers by February 12, not soon enough for the GOP.

The forecast will influence how lawmakers close a shortfall estimated to be at least $641 million in the current budget that runs through June 30 and the governor's proposed biennium budget, which starts July 1.

"We've heard a lot of comments hear about bipartisanship," Hogan said, referring to comments made by Kaine and Democrats. "If you would like to work in a bipartisan way I suggest to you that you go to the third floor and ask the governor to do his job because we can't do ours until he does his."

House Majority Leader H. Morgan Griffith, Salem Republican, added: "We can not operate in the dark. So we say to the governor, 'Turn on the light.' "

"We want to finish by March 8," he told the chamber.

Yesterday Kaine told reporters that he will provide lawmakers a budget-balancing plan along with the new revenue forecast well before Feb. 17.

"We are going to get month end data and it is going to take us a couple days after the end of the month to check it out," Kaine said. "I'm not going to make adjustments in a hasty way."

The new two-year budget is one of the last chances Kaine will have to define his gubernatorial legacy.

It could be an uphill battle for Kaine, who is in the third year of his four year term.

He is expected to face some opposition to his plan to draw down the state's rainy day fund at least $241 million to close the gap in the current budget.

He also could have a tough time selling lawmakers on new programs he wants to include his two-year budget plan -- most notably his desire to expand Pre-K for four year olds from low income families.

Rep. Jim Moran, Virginia Democrat, said today the federal funding for the Dulles Rail project is likely now in jeopardy because the Bush administration sees no benefit in helping Northern Virginia's growing Democratic population.

"No matter how valiant Gov. (Tim) Kaine's efforts are, I think they are going to bounce off tin ears," he said this morning on WTOP Radio. "I think (the administration) has made a decision probably for both political as well as budgetary reasons to reject this.”

While there is no hard evidence that politics has derailed the project, others today in Richmond shared Moran’s concerns in behind-the-scenes conversations, questioning whether Northern Virginia is getting payback for the major role it played in electing Democrats in recent local and statewide races.

The region gave Jim Webb 120,000 vote edge over Sen. George Allen in the 2006 election that helped Democrats take control of the U.S. Senate and last November voters there handed Democrats two of the four additional seats they needed to take control of the Virginia Senate for the first time since 1995.

Kaine, Moran and the rest of Virginia's congressional delegation have said they were caught off guard at a meeting Thursday on Capitol Hill after federal officials told them the 23-mile rail extension was in jeopardy of losing out on $900 million in federal funding.

In my story today Kaine said he remains puzzled about what had happened between September, when the state submitted $300 million in proposed cuts to the Federal Transit Administration, and the meeting on the Hill.

"I don't know what happened in the hours before that meeting because we were getting positive signals right up until the meeting," he told me. "We walk into the meeting and it is like all the negatives."

While Kaine, a Democrat, says he remains optimistic about the project surviving, Moran today was more blunt in his assessment.

“We're not going to get the $900 million in federal funding from this administration," he told WTOP.

The rumors continue to swirl about the possible retirement of 11th District Rep. Tom Davis.

The chatter intensified Friday after Bob Gibson, of the Charlottesville Daily Progress reported on his blog "Virginia Democrats may pick up a House seat this year in Northern Virginia as 11th District Rep. Tom Davis has decided to retire."

Now other bloggers, including Not Larry Sabato are running with the story, while the Davis camp publicly remains mum on future plans.

"We still don't know," Brian McNicoll, a Davis aide, said yesterday.

Last summer, I reported on growing speculation that Sen. John Warner was holding off a retirement announcement to give Davis time to build a grassroots network of supporters to replace him.

But after Warner announced his retirement in late August, it appeared state party members were more interested in Jim Gilmore's conservative credentials, than Davis, who at times had been bashed by social conservatives.

Despite behind the scenes primary jockeying from Davis, the State Central Committee voted 47-37 in October to picks its nominee at a convention.

The decision was widely considered a victory for Gilmore, who is thought to have a greater appeal among the thousands of grass-roots conservatives who attend conventions.

Roughly two weeks later, Davis told reporters at an invitation only breakfast at the Sofitel Hotel, near the White House, he would not run and bashed the GOP.

"I don't think our party understands what a difficult undertaking it is and how the demographics of the state and the issue matrix has changed markedly over the last decade," Davis told reporters.

Then in November, his wife, Jeannemarie Devolites Davis lost her re-election bid for her Senate seat, hurting Davis's image as someone who can deliver votes in Democrat-leaning Northern Virginia.

Should Davis retire, Democrats feel the region's demographic changes — which played a huge role in Jim Webb defeat George Allen in 2006 — provide a great opportunity to pick up the seat.

Leslie Byrne, who Davis defeated in 1994, already announced her intentions to run and Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Gerry Connolly also appears poised to take a shot at the Democratic nomination.

Ms. Byrne in 2005 lost her bid for lieutenant governor in the general election to Bill Bolling by about 22,000 votes, which amount to a little more than 1 percent vote margin.

Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are giddy to see how this race pans out.

"I'm getting the popcorn ready," state Sen. Ken Cuccinelli, Fairfax County Republican, said. "I can't wait," he said.

Virginians could catch a glimpse of a familiar face tonight in the U.S. Capitol gallery during President Bush's State of the Union Address.

Gov. Tim Kaine will be the guest of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, California Democrat.

A Virginia Tech student also is said to be a guest.

Virginia in recent years has played a noticeable role during the president's annual address.

In 2006, Kaine delivered the rebuttal to Bush's annual address and introduced viewers to his active, arched left eyebrow.

Last year, Jim Webb, fresh off his victory over George Allen that handed Democrats controls of the U.S. Senate, won accolades for his rebuttal.

Tonight, Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius will have the national stage after the president's remarks.

If you count Kaine, who grew up in Kansas, Sebelius is the third Kansan to give the opposition speech. The other is former Sen. Bob Dole. The Republican delivered the response twice, including the 1996 response to President Clinton's State of the Union address.

— Seth McLaughlin, Virginia political reporter, The Washington Times

In today's report by The Washington Times' Tom Ramstack, we learn the latest bad news about the proposed Metrorail to Dulles project.

Ramstack explains: "The federal government is hesitating to contribute to the project, saying the proposal is too costly and lacks an adequate management structure. The Federal Transit Administration also cited Metro's large backlog of needed maintenance and the airport authority's limited experience in running a transit system."

Ouch.

Virginia is seeking $900 million in federal funds to begin the first $2.5 billion phase of the project. It also has asked for a $580.4 million government loan.

In delivering the bad news, James S. Simpson, FTA administrator, told reporters, "We fund projects that are an A, B, or C. This project is a D or an F."

Ugh.

Here are a couple of reactions to the news from some popular Virginia blogs.

Over at Bacon's Rebellion, Jim Bacon writes: "Let us hope the Kaine administration has enough sense not to try to revivify the corpse of the Rail-to-Dulles project. Time's awasting. Traffic congestion in Tysons Corner and the Dulles corridor are only getting worse. It's time to focus the conversation on what comes next."

Lowell Field at www.Raisingkaine.com shares a copy of the FTA letter and chimes in: "In other words, the Metro to Dulles project is REJECTED ... at least for now, and for many of the reasons TysonsTunnel.org and others have been arguing for over a year now. Amazing."

Now, Gov. Tim Kaine has asked for more time to revise the plan.

While we wait to see how this all pans out, here is a Dulles Rail theme song suggestion, courtesy of singer/ songwriter Limahl.

— Seth McLaughlin, Virginia political reporter, The Washington Times

Sen. Jim Webb today repeated his call for federal recognition of six Indian tribes from Virginia, as the U.S. Senate considers a bill this week to improve health care services provided to Native American tribes.

"At a time when we are debating how to effectively promote Indian health care, it is important that we grant these six Virginia tribes access to essential federal health programs," Webb said.

More from the release:

After meeting with leaders of Virginia's Indian tribes and months of thorough investigation of the facts, Webb endorsed the Thomasina E. Jordan Indian Tribes of Virginia Federal Recognition Act of 2007 (H.R. 1294) last year.

The legislation would qualify six of Virginia's tribes for benefits provided through the Bureau of Indian Affairs and other federal agencies. The House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved the bill last May.

"I have spent several months examining the issue of federal recognition in great detail, including the rich history and culture of Virginia's tribes," said Webb. "My staff and I asked a number of tough questions and concluded that federal recognition is justified based on principles of dignity and fairness."

"These six tribes meet the established standards for proper recognition on a federal level and should be placed on equal footing with our nation's 562 other federally recognized tribes," said Webb.

— Seth McLaughlin, Virginia politics reporter, The Washington Times

Delegate Jeff Frederick, Prince William County Republican, made it clear to me last night that he will run for chairman of the Republican party of Virginia later this year, a seat currently held by John Hager, a former Virginia lieutenant governor whose son is marrying President George Bush's daughter.

"We need a rebirth of the Republican Party of Virginia," Frederick told me Thursday night. "We need leadership and I am a different kind of Republican. I am conservative, but I have proved that I can successfully be conservative and stay true to my principles and still win votes from non-Republicans."

For his track record of energetic victories all you need to do is go to the state board of elections here.

On Thursday I asked Jeff: "People say that's just because your aggressive and you know how to play the game."

To which he responded: "It sounds like something we need in the state party ... bottom line is we need the votes."

Frederick talked about how his legislative district, like some of Virginia, is turning moderate, therefore, there is a need to be able to sell a solid conservative message that works with voters. He feels he has a track record.

"I have a district that most Democrats think doesn't belong to me and I just won [in November] with 59 percent of the vote," he told me. "I can aggressively fundraise. I can aggressively communicate. I can aggressively motivate the grassroots to action. And that is what we need."

It will be interesting to see what happens with the Virginia Republican party. Before Hager took the helm it bogged down, according to Republicans, with internal fights in recent years -- and even Republicans would say party really has nothing to do with their day-to-day decisions.

Kate Obenshaim Griffin stepped down in November 2006 after just over three years at the helm in the wake of U.S. Sen. George Allen's failed re-election bid.

She was followed by Ed Gillespie, former chairman of the Republican National Committee.

He left for a gig at the White House soon after.

Then came John Hager, a guy John W. Warner told me at the Republican Annual Advance in Crystal City is the right guy to lead the party back toward the big tent philosophy.

Add two straight Republican losses in governor's races, Jim Webb's win and the recent loss of the Virginia Senate and seats in the House of Delegates -- some Republicans would say it's a recipe for Frederick.

Others would say give Hager a chance.

Just keep in mind: it's all chess in Virginia politics, the only time clock is the convention later this year.

— Seth McLaughlin, Virginia politics reporter, The Washington Times

The bio on Delegate Robert M. Marshall's 2008 U.S. Senate campaign website shares this little tidbit: "He has a personal library of 2000+ books, is an avid reader of history, philosophy, constitutional issues, and medical, social and political issues of importance."

Meanwhile, the two other men eyeing retiring Republican Sen. John W. Warner's seat — former governors Jim Gilmore, the Republican battling Marshall to become the party's nominee, and Mark Warner, a Democrat with double digit leads in early polls — do not mention the size of their libraries on their respective campaign Web sites.

On Gilmore's campaign page he reminds us he is a Richmond native and son of a butcher. On Warner's site he reminds us he is a former high tech business person who co-founded the company that became Nextel.

So I emailed both campaigns, requesting a book count and posing this question: How much importance voters should put in the size of one's library?

I received some entertaining answers.

"Former Governor Jim Gilmore has an extensive library in his Richmond home," said Ana M. Gamonal, spokesman for his Senate campaign. "He's partial to history and non-fiction and is currently reading The American Creation by Joseph Ellis, a book about the founding fathers."

"As far as Bob Marshall and his 2,000-book library, reports are that it contains only 1,922 books," she said. "Perhaps he should count them again!"

As for Warner, Kevin Hall, his spokesman, responded by saying "A lot."

Then, Hall shot back this question.

"Riddle me this: I'm busy. Why aren't you?"

— Seth McLaughlin, Virginia politics reporter, The Washington Times

Former Gov. Jim Gilmore, a Republican, sent a letter to Republican leaders yesterday in which he criticized Gov. Tim Kaine's push to close the so-called gun show loophole.

"There is no 'loophole' that applies to gun shows," Mr. Gilmore said in the letter, which addressed to House Speaker William J. Howell, Stafford County Republican, and emailed to reporters. "Federal and state law applies to gun shows in exactly the same manner as anywhere else. The vast majority of sellers at gun shows are federally licensed dealers who are required under current law to perform instant background checks on their customers. The remainders are private sellers who are not required in any setting — gun show or otherwise — to submit to the same regulations that apply to licensed dealers."

"There is absolutely no evidence to suggest that bringing the heavy hand of gun control down on private sellers (who are usually collectors who buy, sell or trade a very small quantity of guns) will do anything to reduce violent crime," he said.

Mr. Gilmore's letter come as he tries to build some momentum for his U.S. Senate bid. He will fight for the Republican nomination at a party convention this summer against Delegate Robert G. Marshall, Prince William County Republican.

Odds are the winner will face former Gov. Mark R. Warner, a Democrat who enjoys double digit leads over Gilmore in early polls.

The letter also comes after Mr. Kaine, a Democrat, devoted a chunk of his State of the Commonwealth address last week urging lawmaker to change the law, saying "there is no reason for law-abiding gun owners or gun sellers to oppose the instant check."

"Since 1991, Virginia has required that anyone purchasing any type of firearm from a licensed dealer undergo a background check," Mr. Kaine said in his address. "This instant, computerized check is designed to prevent a felon or other dangerous individual from buying a gun."

He continued: "However, a loophole still exists in this important measure. Anyone can walk into a gun show and purchase a firearm without the background check. I support 2nd Amendment rights, and I believe that Virginia’s laws generally strike the right balance of protecting that right consistent with public safety. But, if we are to enforce current law keeping guns out of the hands of dangerous individuals, we must require instant background checks for purchase of weapons at gun shows."

Since the speech, gun-rights activist have accused Mr. Kaine of distorting the Virginia Tech tragedy, where 32 students and faculty where killed by a student with mental illness, to make it seem as if the "loophole" had something to do with the massacre. They say and Mr. Kaine agrees that the law would not have stopped the gunman from buying the guns he used in the massacre.

In his letter to Speaker Howell, Gilmore points to a 2001 study by the Bureau of Justice Statistics found that less than one percent of guns used in crimes have come from gun shows.

"It is clear that subjecting private collectors to more gun control regulations would do nothing to reduce violent crime, while setting a dangerous precedent that all private firearms transactions would be subject to regulations that were intended to apply only to licensed dealers, not private individuals," he said.

— Seth McLaughlin, Virginia politics reporter, The Washington Times

Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling, a Republican, was happy -- perhaps relieved -- to see former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney pull out his first big win of the Republican presidential race last night in Michigan.

“On Tuesday night, Governor Mitt Romney won a decisive victory in the Michigan Republican primary and took an important step toward winning the Republican nomination and November's presidential election," he said in an early morning email to The Times. “Governor Romney’s vision for economic strength in America and conservative change in Washington clearly resonated with voters in Michigan. Governor Romney won among Republicans, conservatives and evangelical voters. However, this is just the beginning and he will take this momentum on to Nevada, South Carolina and Florida."

Mr. Bolling, who is eyeing a 2009 gubernatorial bid, endorsed Romney at a July press conference here in Richmond and serves as chairman of Governor Romney's campaign in Virginia.

In his story today, The Time's Joseph Curl writes that a "A loss would have been devastating -- possibly fatal -- to Mr. Romney, whose father, George W. Romney, was head of American Motors in Detroit and a popular three-term governor in the 1960s. The former governor of Massachusetts pulled all ads from South Carolina and Florida, the next two stops for Republicans, to focus on what his aides quietly said was a must-win."

For Bolling, that would have meant he no longer has a horse in the presidential race, which John Hager, Chairman of the Republican party of Virginia, suggested last week could still have no clear frontrunner when The Commonwealth's voters head to the polls on Feb. 12.

The scenario would make Virginia's 63 delegates all the more important.

“Clearly, there is a long road until the Republican nomination is settled," Bolling said. "I look forward to working with my fellow Republicans to build on Governor Romney’s strong organization in the Commonwealth and ensure a victory in the Virginia primary on February 12th.”

Should Virginia play a real role in the race, it would pit the state's top Republicans against one another.

Retiring Virginia Sen. John W. Warner and 11th District Congressman Tom Davis support Arizona Sen. John McCain.

House Speaker William J. Howell, a Republican, is behind former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee.

Attorney General Robert F. McDonnell and former Sen. George Allen are with former Tennesse Senator and "Law & Order" star Fred Thompson.

And former Attorney General Jerry W. Kilgore, a Republican, says former New York Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani has the credentials to lead the country.

— Seth McLaughlin, Virginia politics reporter, The Washington Times

Delegate Lionell Spruill Sr., Chesapeake Democrat, turned some heads today after he introduced a bill on the floor of the House of Delegates that would ban … well, rather than explain it myself, I'll let the bill to the talking:

It bars the "display on and equipping of motor vehicles with objects of devices representing or resembling human genitalia."

"No person shall display upon or equip any motor vehicle with any object or device that depicts, represents or resembles human genitalia, regardless of size or scale."

Minutes ago, I sat down with Spruill inside his legislative office to ask him about the measure.

He had pictures printed out from various Web sites and a section of Virginia law that explained the offense would carry a fine of up to $250.

The proposal, he said, came to fruition last Friday after a "gentleman" from his district called him and explained he, his wife and his daughter had pulled their car up behind a truck featuring one of the before mentioned displays hanging from a trailer hitch.

"So, I laughed," Spruill said. "After I laughed he said, 'Do you have kids?' I said, 'Yes I do. They are grown.' "

"Then he said, 'Do you have grandkids?' And I said, 'Yes I do,' " Spruill recalled.

That's when it hit him.

"My granddaughter is 5 going on 25," he said. "That made it serious to me."

Spruill called the display "gross" and said that "we got to stop it in Virginia."

His strategy to get it passed is simple. He plans to ask lawmakers the same question the "gentleman" from Chesapeake asked him when they eventually consider the bill.

"Do they want their kids to see that?"

— Seth McLaughlin, Virginia politics reporter, The Washington Times

The early innings of the General Assembly's 60-day legislative session so far are being largely defined by the controversial "abuser fees" the state is imposing on Virginia drivers.

At the center of the story is Delegate David B. Albo, Fairfax County Republican and one of the most popular members of the General Assembly.

In today's story, Albo explains why he has not bowed to the public and political pressure to end the fees.

Albo thinks the fees can be successfully tweaked. He says drunken drivers and other people who commit serious driving offenses should still pay more for roads than the average Joe that does not break the law.

Many lawmakers agree that drunken drivers should face stiffer penalties, but they feel the public outcry against the fees has risen to such a feverish pitch that the plan needs to be scrapped. Then they can address drunken drivers some other way.

That likelihood has encouraged lawmakers to propose ways to make up the projected $65 million that was projected to roll into the road maintenance after the program was fully implemented.

Some Senate Democrats have proposed different gas tax increases to make up the money.

In response, Albo seems even more dumbfounded that Senate Democrats are in favor of swapping out the fees, then turn around to tax "law-abiding citizens."

In addition, here is a press release Albo issued Jan. 13 in an attempt to answer many of the questions related to the fees and his proposed changes:

VIRGINIA'S ABUSER FEE COLLECTIONS ON TRACK BASED UPON TEXAS' SUCCESSFUL DRIVER RESPONSIBLITY PROGRAM

RICHMOND, VA — Proponents of the civil remedial fees for abusive drivers are citing a similar program in Texas that is presently delivering $180 million per year.

The Texas Public Safety Driver Responsibility Surcharge Program began in June of 2004. The experience in Texas counters recent claims that the Virginia Abuser Fee program will not eventually yield the $65 million/yr. estimated by the legislation. The experience of Texas indicates that Virginia's collections are right on track.

The Texas program applies the fees to all drivers in state and out of state, but has a more limited set of offenses than Virginia. Like Virginia, Texas includes Driving While Intoxicated, Driving On a Suspended License, and Driving Without a License (e.g., never having obtained a license), to name a few. However, unlike Virginia, it does not include Reckless Speeding. Both plans assess fees once a year for three years. Texas, like Virginia, also includes a points section which charges drivers with six or more points on a Texas driver's license. In addition, Texas outsources the collection of the fees to a private contractor, MSB Government Services. (New Jersey uses ACS.) Virginia has not yet hired new staff nor a contractor to collect the Abuser Fees.

The Texas program began in 2004, and in its first year, $8.394 million was returned to the State Treasury. While that year was very low because the program was new and enforcement mechanisms were not yet in place, the fees soon added up. In 2005 $68.908 million was raised, 2006 $129 million was raised, and in 2007, $181 million was raised. Since Texas is approximately three times larger than Virginia, this would extrapolate to a prediction that Virginia would $2.8 million in the first year and $60 million in the fourth year.

Delegate David Albo has proposed a replacement for the current Virginia Abuser Fees that reduces the number of offenses to the most serious and makes them apply to both in state and out of state drivers. Albo's bill, HB 161, is like the Texas plan. These Texas figures show that HB 161, which fixes the Abuser Fee plan by reducing the number of offenses to the most serious and brings in out of state drivers, should still be able to bring in its expected $65 million in revenue.

Delegate Dave Albo stated, "Abuser Fees were put in place because Virginia needed money for roads and driving in Virginia was too dangerous. We figured that people who commit crimes on Virginia roads should pay more to drive in Virginia than those who just get a traffic ticket now and then. As an added bonus, increasing the punishment on dangerous driving should reduce that behavior. It seems that we were right. The Texas experience shows us that Virginia is on track to raise $65 million per year, and Reckless Driving has dropped by 11%, thus our roads are more safe. Thus, the Abuser Fees should not be repealed, as has been suggested by some, but rather fixed."

"I am the first to admit that the bill is not perfect. We need to include out-of-state drivers. In addition, our hopes of lowering all types of dangerous driving are mixed. While the JLARC report shows that Reckless has dropped 11%, it also shows that DWIs are up. However, state police reports show that DWI deaths are down dramatically. It's hard to make sense of it all, however, repealing Abuser Fees, and therefore reducing punishments on drunk and dangerous drivers, is certainly not the answer."

Delegate Albo previously sent out a press release regarding his Abuser Fee rewrite in December. His new bill models the Texas program by including out-of-state drivers and reducing the number of offenses to the most
egregious. (See HB 161 here.)

Albo states, "Any rational person who reads the list of offenses in HB 161 should be all for the increased fees on these people who threaten all of us on Virginia roads."

— Seth McLaughlin, Virginia politics reporter, The Washington Times

Delegate Kenneth "Ken" R. Plum, Reston Democrat, helped open the House of Delegates today by sharing with House Speaker William J. Howell, Stafford County Republican, his new state-issued license plate.

"Maybe you can help me interpret it," Plum said, holding up the plate. "These are the plates that came from DMV."

The plate featured the number 5 and the following: "Speaker of the House of Delegates."

"Are you throwing in the towel?" he asked Howell, generating hoots and howls from the 100-member body. “Do you want me to be co-Speaker?”

Hinting at the Democratic pickups in recent elections that have cut into the Republican majority in the House, he asked, "Or could it be, Mr. Speaker, that it is a prediction of things to come?"

To which the quick-witted Howell responded, "You need to save that — it may become a collector's item."

— Seth McLaughlin, Virginia politics reporter, The Washington Times

Thanks to split decisions in Iowa and New Hampshire that have provided no clear frontrunner for the GOP's presidential nomination, there's a growing sense that Virginia could end up deciding the race in the state's Feb. 12 primary.

While many people thought that was a longshot a couple months ago, a couple things still need to happen for that to become a reality.

First, Republicans will focus on Michigan, Florida and South Carolina. Then they move on to Feb. 5 — Super Tuesday — when more than 20 states will cast their votes and 1,081 delegates are up for grabs.

If no one emerges from those contests as the clear nominee, then Virginia would likely become a battleground.

John Hager, chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia, this week suggested that is a real possibility.

"If they all pick off delegates in all of these various primaries and caucuses, nobody builds the majority that's needed to get the nomination, and that is why Virginia could still be in play," he said. "We got 60 delegates at stake."

By then, he said, there is a good chance the race will be between Arizona Sen. John McCain, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, former New York City New York Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani, and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.

Adding to the interest is the fact that nearly every top Republican has lined up behind a presidential candidate:

McCain enjoys the support of retiring Virginia Sen. John W. Warner.

House Speaker William J. Howell, Stafford County Republican, jumped on the Huckabee bandwagon in August, well before the media bandwagon existed.

Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling, who has expressed interest in running for governor in 2009, backs Romney.

Attorney General Bob McDonnell, who plans to run for governor in 2009, and former Virginia Sen. George Allen are still waiting for their guy, former Tennesse Senator and "Law & Order" star Fred Thompson to catch fire.

And former Attorney General Jerry W. Kilgore says former New York Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani has the credentials to lead the country.

As for Hager, he does not feel it is right to give a public endorsement in his role as party chairman.

However, he did say, "We have a pretty good guy to appeal to independents in John McCain."

— Seth McLaughlin, Virginia politics reporter, The Washington Times

Less than 48 hours into the 60-day legislative session, and a familiar 10,000-pound gorilla has already been let loose by Senate Democrats.

It's called raising the gas tax.

Chap Petersen, the Fairfax County Democrat who defeated Republican Congressman Tom Davis's wife, Jeannemarie, in the recent election, has introduced a bill that would raise the gas tax from 17.5 cents to 19.5 cents per gallon.

(Lawmakers say it is one of several bills that includes a gas tax.)

Under Petersen's plan, one-half of the increase would go into a Biofuels Production Fund for grants to producers of biofuels pursuant and one-half would go into the Highway Maintenance and Operating Fund.

Some think it makes sense given remarks Petersen made on the campaign trail last year.

Republicans say it is a non-starter and likely it will go nowhere.

But it could make for good political theater, especially if Senate Majority Leader Richard Saslaw, Fairfax County Democrat, leads the charge.

While Republicans usually do not agree with him philosophically, they do love the fact that "Dick" is brutally honest.

For example, Saslaw warned colleagues searching for a state song in 1998 that a state panel tasked with a similar job in the 1980s suffered through some jarring tributes to Virginia's mountains and beaches that "sounded like rejects from 'The Gong Show.'"

Asked yesterday about whether Democrats will push hard for a gas tax increase to help pay for transportation maintanence, Saslaw offered a little sample:

"What we did last year was essentially postpone doomsday about three or four years on the maintenance funds," he said. "Sooner or later we are going to have to come to grips with the fact if we don't do anything in the next several years, you are going to reach a point — in 2012 — when all the statewide construction money goes to maintenance."

Saslaw says the state will likely need to find a "few hundred million" dollars in the next few years to keep with the road repair.

He also shared this:

"The other thing that we never discuss, and we ultimately are going to have to discuss, is how are we going to get (people) out of the cars? How do we get them out of the cars, you know? Because you can't road bill your way out of this. Ultimately, people are going to have to get out of the cars."

He added, "And this comes from a guy who sells gasoline."

— Seth McLaughlin, Virginia politics reporter, The Washington Times

It's probably time to get a haircut when Speaker of the House Bill Howell, Stafford County Republican, takes a double take after he sees you and immediately says this: "You got long hair. You look like a hippie."

Top that off with House Democratic Caucus chair Brian J. Moran suggesting I should pay a visit to Bubbles Hair Salon, his local haunt at the Landmark Mall in Alexandria.

After all, Moran, who likely will run for governor in 2009, has been on the receiving end of some playful jabs ever since rumors swirled in 2006 that he was paying $150 to have his hair cut by the same folks who take care of Sen. Hillary Clinton.

Turns out the speculation was not true.

Campaign finance reports for Moran's Leadership for Virginia's Future PAC showed that last year $25 was paid for "salon services" at Bubbles.

I'm mulling over the advice. The price could be right.

— Seth McLaughlin, Virginia politics reporter, The Washington Times

Shortly after being re-elected as House Speaker, William J. Howell, Stafford County Republican, kicked off the Virginia General Assembly's 60-day legislative session around noon today, welcoming lawmakers with the following remarks inside the House chamber.

"Members and friends of the House of Delegates -- Democrats, Independents and Republicans, Virginians all:

I accept and sincerely appreciate the trust that you have placed in me. I also welcome the continued opportunity to lead and to use the position of Speaker to advance a positive, forward-looking reform agenda on many fronts.

On a Tuesday in November every two years, the people of Virginia go to their local polling places to express their views, their concerns, and their aspirations for the future of our Commonwealth.

We are here today as a result of those Virginians, and that, above all else, should be our main focus as we convene this 2008 Session of the General Assembly and this House.

The citizens we are elected to serve have given each of us a great honor, and they have every right to expect us to act in a manner recognizing that honor as we fulfill our responsibilities.

This year, Virginia faces many great challenges. But these challenges will not overwhelm — and must not overcome — our shared ability to work constructively on the legislation that we will consider.

I am honored and humbled by your affirmation of me as your Speaker for the next two years. I am ready for this responsibility — strengthened by what we have achieved so far, and appreciative of how much we still have to accomplish.

Our greatest challenge this year will be crafting the Commonwealth's biennial budget.

We must craft a new state budget on the principles of fiscal responsibility and not the conveniences of political expediency.

To meet this challenge, I have designated our body's most senior member and my immediate predecessor as Speaker, Delegate Lacey Putney of Bedford, to serve as Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee. His experience, his knowledge, his renewed vitality and his wisdom make him ideally suited to guide us through this time of fiscal uncertainty.

In addition to the state budget, we must enact much-needed reforms to Virginia's system of mental health care.

We will be advancing legislation to continue investing in our elementary and secondary schools and classroom instruction.

We will be championing legislation that will strengthen the infrastructure of our colleges and universities as well as increase capacity for the increasing numbers of Virginia students who wish to benefit from all that Virginia higher education has to offer.

We also will be considering and approving legislation to protect our environment, increase access and improve affordability of quality health care, and provide long overdue relief from skyrocketing property taxes for our homeowners. We will do all that, and so much more.

In fulfilling these duties, we must be mindful that partisanship for the sake of partisan advantage in a future election will be seen by Virginians for what it is.

Adhering to the trust placed in us by the citizens of our districts requires careful review and conscientious deliberation. As Speaker, I intend to lead this House in honoring that trust and in protecting this institution's integrity for the future.

Today, we welcome 10 new members to our ranks.

For those of you who took this oath for the first time, congratulations. You are following in a rich tradition. The seats that each of you occupy were filled at some point in the past, and in some instances just last year, by some of the giants of this body.

Every one of you can point to a predecessor at some point in history who served this Commonwealth with honor and distinction. Be mindful of the honor that has been bestowed upon you, and strive to emulate those great Virginians.

We face the public every two years because we are here to reflect the most immediate, up-to-date views and concerns of our constituents. We are intended to be closest to the people, and we should act accordingly.

I ask each of you to be mindful of those you serve, and put their interests and the interests of the Commonwealth first.

Now, we begin the hard and occasionally arduous work of preparing our Commonwealth for future generations while improving the lives of its citizens today.

It is a heady charge, but one I am confident we will fulfill with the same honor and distinction that has characterized and served Virginia so well for more than 400 years.

Thank you."

— Seth McLaughlin, Virginia politics reporter, The Washington Times

With the rumors swirling around who is the best bet to replace Skins head honcho Joe Gibbs on the sidelines, former Virginia Sen. George Allen, whose father coached the team in the 1970s and was later elected into the National Football Hall of Fame, is thinking about a Steel City sports icon with big chin and solid scowl.

"I think most folks would like to get Bill Cowher," Mr. Allen said yesterday, referring to the former Pittsburgh Steelers coach who won the Super Bowl in 2006. "He's a proven winner."

Allen, who played football at UVA and often chucked a football around on the campaign trail, complimented the way Gibbs handled a tumultuous season that included the murder of star safety Sean Taylor.

Joining the region's bar stool pundits and sports analysts, Allen, who ruled out a 2009 run for Virginia governor the same day Gibbs stepped aside, also mentioned assistant head coach/defense Gregg Williams and associate head coach Al Saunders as possible replacements.

But when push comes to shove, he said, Cowher's likely to be the most sought after.

And Allen expects that team owner Dan Snyder will do what he can to sweeten the pot enough for Cowher to enjoy regular rides to FedEx Field, despite reports that he is happy living at a new pad in North Carolina and not interested in returning to the NFL.

As for whether he may kickoff a campaign to fill the shoes once worn by his father, Allen quickly respond, "No. That's not likely at all."

— Seth McLaughlin, Virginia politics reporter, The Washington Times

Heading into Gov. Tim Kaine's State of the Commonwealth address tonight — the symbolic start to the General Assembly's 60-day legislative session in Richmond — Virginians should be prepared to hear lawmakers duke it out over two numbers: $261 million and $181 million.

The $261 million represents the projected budget shortfall in the current biennial budget, which runs through June.

Kaine hopes to plug the hole by taking $261 million out of the state's $1 billion-plus rainy-day fund.

But Republicans say that's bad news and risky business.

They claim it would leave the state in a tight financial spot if the economy goes completely haywire and lawmakers should be certain they have enough money squirreled away for a major economic downturn.

Kaine counters that it makes financial sense.

The second financial flash-point centers on Kaine's proposed $78 billion biennial budget, which starts July 1.

His plan takes $181 million out of the $500 million the General Assembly set aside last year for transportation projects.

Basically, Kaine wants to defer $181 million in road projects from 2009 to 2010.

The extra money, in Kaine's view, would help offset the projected slow revenue growth of 3.3 percent in the first year of the two year budget, helping him finance initiatives that help Virginia's most needy.

The governor's budget banks on revenue growth jumping to 6.7 percent in year two.

The second-year bounce would provide enough money to return the $180 million and ensure there is enough money to pay for the remaining transportation projects lawmakers when they come on line.

— Seth McLaughlin, Virginia politics reporter, The Washington Times