The wheels are wobbling on Sen. Charles J. Colgan's version of the straight-talk express as he waffles on a gas-tax increase that he opposed last year on the campaign trail.

Facing some stiff competition before the general election, the Prince William County Democrat in October posted a "Colgan Straight Talk," memo on his campaign Web site where he said "I do not support any increase in the gas tax."

But last week, Mr. Colgan, along with 12 of his Senate Finance committee colleagues, voted in favor of a bill that would increase the gas tax 5 cents over the next five years.

Then he joined his 20 Democratic colleagues and four Republicans in the Senate to pass the proposal, which was sponsored by Majority Leader Richard L. Saslaw, Fairfax Democrat.

"Oh well, so much for that pesky gas tax promise," state Sen. Kenneth T. Cuccinelli, Fairfax County Republican, said in a newsletter to constituents -- shining a light on Mr. Colgan's flip-flop.