In today’s VPOD: Regional Transportation Authorities are ruled unconstitutional by the state supreme court. Audio from Gov. Tim Kaine and an interview with Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling.

 

 VPOD w/Jim Hoeft -- Feb. 29, 2008 [4:54m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (721)

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Last week, Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling ruled that the Senate Budget was unconstitutional for transferring lottery money, supposedly dedicated for public education, into the General Fund for whatever use. In a straight party-line vote, Democrats over-ruled him 21-19 which brings up why is there a ruling from the chair if a simple majority can overrule him, but I digress).

Today, the senior attorney from the Division of Legislative services wrote via email to Senate Finance Committee members regarding the state constitution:

“Its plain language requires that the revenues in the Lottery Proceeds Fund be appropriated from the Fund to localities for public education and not be deposited into the general fund of the Commonwealth. Therefore, it is my opinion that the current method of depositing the revenues into the general fund does not comport with this constitutional provision.”

To make the funds available for general use, a 4/5’s majority is required.

In a letter to U.S. Rep. Ike Skelton (D-MO), chairman of the House Armed Service Committee, U.S. Rep. Thelma Drake (R-VA) has requested that the actress Angelina Jolie testify before the committee.

Breaking — the State Supreme Court just ruled that regional transportation authorities cannot levy taxes for transportation.

“The ruling means that we don’t have an authority,” said Art Collins, acting executive director of the Hampton Roads Transportation Authority. “We just went back 12 years in planning. We now have no valid transportation plan. It’s just nuclear. That’s the only way you can describe it”

The governor, attorney general and speaker of the House are preparing a joint statement; the governor will have a media availability this afternoon. Audio of that availability will be provided tonight on VPOD.

Politically: Bob Marshall’s stock just went up. But everyone who was involved in advocating HB 3202 is going to have to answer a lot of questions.

For the average citizen: we’re screwed again. Little to no funding is currently available to develop the transportation solutions we need.

Update: Here is the print statement from Gov. Kaine, Atty. Gen. McDonnell and Speaker Howell:

“I am disappointed by the Supreme Court’s finding that the limited authority to impose taxes granted by the General Assembly in 2007, by an overwhelming vote by both bodies, was unconstitutional,” said Governor Kaine. “I remain committed to working with the General Assembly to ensure that the Commonwealth provides adequate funding for our transportation needs. Over the next few days, my legal staff and I will work closely with the Attorney General’s Office and members of the General Assembly to determine what alternatives are available to provide adequate transportation funding.”

“We intervened in this case as is our obligation to defend challenges to the constitutionality of legislation passed by the General Assembly,” said Attorney General Bob McDonnell. “The Virginia Supreme Court has spoken, we respect their decision, and we will advise our clients appropriately based on today’s ruling. It remains critical for Virginia’s future prosperity that we improve our transportation system.”

“The complicated decision of the Court, and its effect on the regional components of the Comprehensive Transportation Funding and Reform Act of 2007, are disappointing to those of us who continue to support improving our roads, reducing congestion and increasing mobility for all Virginians,” said Speaker William J. Howell (R-Stafford). “We will be reviewing this decision carefully and remain committed to sorting out the long-term prospects for the regional plans in a timely manner. Fortunately, the statewide components of the Act – which by themselves incorporate the largest single investment in transportation in a generation – are working right now to improve our roads, railways, and public transit.”

Read the court opinion.

More from the Virginian-Pilot

Other’s blogging: Below the Beltway, BVBL and Raising Kaine

Evangelist John Hagee endorsed Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain Wednesday. Should anyone care? Well, the Catholic League does. And so do many others.

McCain gladly received the endorsement of the preacher who once called the Catholic Church “The Great Whore”, but now calls McCain, a “man of principle.”

Personally, I find Hagee to be repugnant with his statements. His comments are inflammatory and completely unnecessary. McCain should distance himself from such “supporters”, as Obama has done with Uncle Louie.

However, an endorsement, and the acceptance such an endorsement, still does not make the person on the receiving end the same in beliefs, thoughts and ideas as the person giving it. In other words, the sins of the father are not passed onto the son.

Bottom-line, McCain has shown no anti-Catholicism in his public statements or policies. This is, as usual, much ado about nothing.

McCain also had a bit of a slip-up in Texas calling himself a “conservative liberal Republican”:

(h/t: Tongues of Fire)

Hey — he could have meant that he was liberal in the economic sense of the word, right? Kind of funny, but just a gaffe. He was likely thinking of what he was getting ready to say about his Democratic rivals.

Tonight’s VPOD includes:

Planned Parenthood Budget Amendment, Ronald Reagan Day, the “Job Savings Bill”, DMV exams, and Del. Moran’s Blogger Day.

 

 VPOD w/Jim Hoeft -- Feb. 28, 2008 [4:16m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (598)

In Cal Thomas’ column today, Attorney General McDonnell is highlighted as a leader in the fight to secure our borders and promote lawful immigration.

“I am not — and will not be — a candidate for president,” wrote Mayor Michael Bloomberg of New York City in today’s New York Times. “…[But] if a candidate takes an independent, nonpartisan approach — and embraces practical solutions that challenge party orthodoxy — I’ll join others in helping that candidate win the White House.”

So states the Washington Times. The Times also lists Sens. Mark Obenshain and Ryan McDougle, as well as Dels. Rob Bell and Terry Kilgore as interested in the job.

Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling cast a tie-breaking vote today in the Senate, the first of this session, on an amendment that would have sent state funding to Planned Parenthood.

Grab your iPod and download this week’s VPOD.

This is a great show with Sen. Northam and Sen. Cuccinelli discussing the Homestead Exemption amendment, Ana Gamonal of the Gilmore Campaign and a statement from former Gov. Mark Warner on illegal immigration, news on the Mark Tate scandal and the bloggers involved, a report on the “triggerman” rule, analysis from Brian Kirwin, our weekly top five, Bearing Drift trivia, the person of the week, and more!

Be sure to answer the trivia question in this thread.

VPOD can be downloaded and streamed, just listen responsibly!

 

 Sens. Northam and Cuccinelli, Ana Gamanol of the Gilmore Campaign and Brian Kirwin -- Feb. 27, 2008 [33:10m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (610)


Podshow PDN {podshow-b6b1e2d7d8c6c6e48d774c81e748e5c8}


Links to the Bearing Drift Top Five:

Leslie Carbone for her post on the 1980 Miracle on Ice
Reagan’s GOP for their post on the 1980 New Hampshire primary
Right Wing Liberal for his post on Hispanic voting
Conservativa for their post on Sen. Cuccinelli
Reagan’s GOP for their Bolling Op-Ed and Virginia Federalist for their McDonnell Op-Ed

It is a very sad day for the conservative movement. Our intellectual giant and standard-bearer for so many years, William F. Buckley, has passed away at 82. I was blessed to meet him a few years ago and will never forget his charm, candor and conservatism. He will be missed, but his legacy will long live on.

More from Bearing Drift Ohio, Conservativa, Leslie Carbone, Right-wing Liberal, and Virginia Virtucon

Ann Coulter’s eulogy for Buckley.
Rush Limbaugh’s remembrances.

In today’s Washington Post, buried in the front section on page A04, is a short article that brings up the numerous shifting positions of Sen. Hillary Clinton and Sen. Barack Obama. However, instead of holding the candidates accountable for their “changes of heart”, the article talks about how tough it is for politicians to stay consistent in today’s modern era with the internet, etc. where every word is scrutinized, video taped, and published.

Odds page now includes 2009 candidates.

Interesting how on the same day AG McDonnell writes the first op-ed by a statewide official on a blog, LG Bolling a few hours later has one penned on Reagan’s GOP.

While McDonnell’s column focuses on campaign promises and legislative accomplishments, Bolling hammers Democrats for what he calls an “unconstitutionally passed” budget.