Gov. Tim Kaine, a Democrat, in a letter to House and Senate budget negotiators today said he has "strong concern with House language amendment in the "caboose bill" directing the Secretary of Transportation to resolicit competitive proposals for the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project."

The comments are tied to the decision of Republican Delegates David B. Albo, of Fairfax County, and Joe. T. May, of Leesburg, to insert language into the so-called "caboose budget bill," which sews up any loose financial ends in the two-year budget that ends June 30 that would put the 23-mile rail expansion's first phase out for competitive bidding.

The battle comes roughly a month after federal transit officials warned Kaine's administration and Virginia's congressional delegation that the proposed rail extension was on the verge of losing out on $900 million in federal funding.

Despite warnings in the summer from federal officials, Kaine and Virginia's congressional leaders were caught off-guard.

But House Republicans, namely House Speaker William J. Howell, of Stafford County, and Albo, of Fairfax County, acted as if they were not surprised at all.

Albo and May followed up by pushing the amendment.

Asked why, Albo shot me this note last week:

"Whether you agree or disagree with the FTA, the bottom line is that they have the $900 Million we need for the project and unless we satisfy them, we don't get the $900 Million and the rail will not be constructed ... Unless someone does something different and does something fast, to quote the FTA itself, 'the reasonably likelihood' that the rail will be funded is slim to none.

"So what am I trying to do about it? I am trying to get VDOT off the dime and address FTA's concerns, and address them fast. I am doing this by trying to pass an amendment to the Budget which commands VDOT to address FTA's concerns and to stop filing the same plan over and over again."

In the letter to budget negotiators, Kaine said the project continues to be under careful review and negotiation by the Commonwealth and the U.S. Secretary of Transportation.

"By following the direction recommended by the House, the Commonwealth would be placed in a position to incur substantial legal and financial liabilities and the project would be seriously jeopardized," Kaine said. "Further, rebidding the contract would send a very damaging message to other potential bidders on other Public-Private Partnership projects, within transportation and all other areas."

To which he added, "It would call into question the integrity of the process and the credibility of the Commonwealth as a partner."

— Seth McLaughlin, Virginia politics reporter, The Washington Times