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Kaine looks back on 2008 Date published: 12/31/2008
BY CHELYEN DAVIS RICHMOND-- Gov. Tim Kaine is coming off what he calls "the most momentous year" of his life.He was short-listed as Barack Obama's potential running mate, but also lost a big battle with legislative Republicans over transportation funding, a fight that spanned two years and culminated in a brief summer special session. Now he's entering the last year of his term, his last chance to shape state policy. He and lawmakers are facing $3 billion in budget cuts--something that tends to cramp new policy initiatives. Kaine plans to focus on energy and environmental issues, although he wouldn't reveal the details in a pre-holiday interview. He plans to announce his proposals in January. He said most of his environmental and energy plans won't involve new funding, so they should escape the budget battle that's looming in January and February. Kaine also plans to propose changes to state election law to make it easier for people to vote--things like no-cause absentee voting. But his big fight will be the budget. Kaine announced his own budget proposal earlier this month, and it included some cuts and an increase in the cigarette tax that Republicans are already rejecting. Kaine said he isn't daunted--and that legislators will have to propose deeper cuts to Medicaid if they refuse to raise the cigarette tax. "What determines that vote is whether people want to slash Medicaid more." KAINE: CIGARETTE TAX "What do they value more? That is going to determine the outcome," Kaine said. "It's a value judgment, it's a value vote." He said he plans to work hard to get the cigarette tax increase passed. "I don't propose things without being willing to go all the way for them. Anything I propose, I believe it's very good policy and I'm glad to go for it and I don't mind going for something and trying it and coming up short," Kaine said. "You've got to remember there's skirmishes, there's battles, and there's wars, and it's good to fight over a principle that matters. "And sometimes if it doesn't go your way, it's helpful in clarifying in terms of what people's philosophies are."
Regardless of the reason for this blatent "sin tax", it unfairly singles out a specific segment of society. If I choose to smoke and I get sick, I provide for my medical needs myself. It's called RESPONSIBILITY. I'm sure you don't smoke, which explains your indifference. I'll leave you with this thought: "When they came for the Jews, I said nothing (I wasn't Jewish). When they came for the blacks, I said nothing(I wasn't black).When they came for me,no one said anything because there was no one left"unknown
It's a perfectly reasonable proposal. But don't worry, Virginia Republicans will most likely prevail and your cigarette taxes won't go up, and health services will be slashed. As for transportation funding, for years Democrats have been proposing a 5 cent gas tax for this purpose, and every year, Bill Howell and his fellow "No tax ever, even if it makes sense" Republicans have shot it down. Doesn't matter if gas is $4.00 or $1.50, they won't budge. Apparently good ideas are too "elitist" for VA Republicans.
I am SO tired of elected officials persecuting different segments of society in an attempt to modify their behavior. I don't see any other way do describe increasing the cigarette tax to fund transportation. We ALL use the roads, we should all contribute! Here's a thought: raise the tax on booze if you want help society. See how far you get with that. Kaine: Virginia will be well rid of you and your elitist agenda.
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