Virginia Tax Rebellion

Today's WSJ (sub req'd) discusses the good news for Virginians: Republican legislators are starting to act like Republicans again.

Last week a gang of conservative GOP members in the general assembly foiled Democratic Governor Tim Kaine's plan to raise $1.4 billion in car, gasoline and diesel taxes to pay for more roads and mass transit. This was a victory against long odds, because the renegade house members were lined up against the Governor, powerful Republicans in the state senate, elements of the business community and the state's largely pro-tax media.

The funny thing is that media darling and former Dem. Gov. Mark Warner did exactly the same thing as Tim Kaine - was elected on a "no raising taxes" pledge, and changed course to higher taxes almost immediately.

Of course, the moonbats in the legislature offer the standard rhetoric of blaming the "gridlock" on the GOP - note Democrat Janet Howell:

Howell attributed the deadlock to "intransigent House Republicans" who are unwilling to compromise. "House Republicans haven't recognized the crisis we have," she added.

The GOP should be proud of, and draw attention to, the "gridlock." I don't think people would quite consider a $2.5 billion surplus a crisis...Perhaps next election Virginians will realize the Democrats are not as "moderate" as they claim.