Over at Ox Road South, State Senator Chap Petersen’s sums up the utter absurdity of Gov. McDonnell’s transportation monstrosity. Chap uses satire – or is it snark? – to ridicule the absurdity of claiming a plan to “raise the sales tax on Virginia residents, eliminate the gas tax paid by out-of-state drivers, and charge a $100 penalty on hybrid vehicles” is somehow “game-changing.” Chap then presents some other “game-changing” ideas, such as making Serbo-Croatian the official state language, moving the state capital to Big Stone Gap, and creating “a minority legislative district which cuts through peoples’ bedrooms.”

Look, I’m all for doing something on transportation, but not if it’s worse than nothing. In this case, critics from the right (e.g, the Wall Street Journal editorial board), and center-right (e.g., Bacon’s Rebellion), and left (most Democrats, the Progressive Caucus, etc.) have torn McDonnell’s transportation “plan” apart from a number of angles: the foolishness of delinking those who use the roads from those who pay for them (aka, a “user fee”); the absurdity of reducing the gas tax at a time when we need to be getting off of fossil fuels, not encouraging their use; the inequity of “shift[ing] money from the general fund, which has been the basic source of funds for education, human services and public safety;” the stupidity of supporting a proposal that is “mostly smoke and mirrors”; etc, etc.

Needless to say, EVERY Democrat should be voting NO on this monstrosity, both in committee and on the floor. And no, don’t think we’re not VERY well aware of this vote yesterday, in which four Democrats (the Hall of Shame: Johnson, Lewis, Keam, James) voted for this “screw education” plan. Nor did we miss the fact that if these four Democrats had all voted no, as they should have on its (lack of) merits, the bill would have failed. Nor will we forget this come time for prioritizing who we decide to canvass, phone bank, donate, etc. Now, it’s time for every individual and organization who would be hurt by this raid on the general fund (e.g., police, firefighters, schoolteachers) to make your voices heard, loud and clear: we don’t want the capital moved to Big Stone Gap, we don’t want to have to learn Serbo-Croatian, and we most certainly don’t want Bob McDonnell’s stinking transportation monstrosity.

Here are a few Virginia (and national) news headlines, political and otherwise, for Thursday, January 31.

*Former RNC Boss [Jim Gilmore]: GOP Risks ‘Permanent Minority’ (Gilmore: “Shrillness and extreme language are driving away the voters who could help us build a majority. We’re not speaking to them as reasonable conservatives. Republicans have to decide if they want to govern or play ideological parlor games.”)

*Economy shrinks as federal spending cuts trump private sector’s growth (Federal spending cuts, eh? Yep, thanks a LOT Republicans – for nothing!)

*At Hill hearing, Wayne LaPierre tries to manhandle facts and logic

*Gabrielle Giffords’ husband smacks down Wayne LaPierre

*Stewart Bashes GOP ‘Shamelessness’ On Immigration: Just A ‘Craven Political Calculation’

*The GOP’s Virginia problem

*In forthcoming book, Cuccinelli echoes Romney’s ’47 percent’

*Cuccinelli book: No apologies (Cuccinelli’s “new book – a 252-page tea party jeremiad of blistering attacks on government in general and President Barack Obama in particular that could make it difficult to broaden his appeal to the kinds of voters he needs to win in November.”)

*Time for the Governor to Take a Stand (“It’s been just about a week and a half since the 20 Republican members of the Virginia Senate detonated their nuclear, re-redistricting bomb in Richmond. And the repurcussions of their foolhardy grab for power are still being felt in the capital.”)

*McDonnell’s Transportation Bill Moves Forward (“Sen. Chap Petersen speaks out against eliminating the gas tax.”)

*GOP woos Dems on redistricting

*Could Onzlee Ware support Senate GOP redistricting plan?

*McDonnell to address Pennsylvania Republicans

*Jeff’s Notes: Redistricting dilemma

*Virginia House avoids vote on gun-control bill

*Pro-uranium mining bill appears headed for defeat (“Measure to lift mining ban appears doomed in Senate”)

*McDonnell’s ‘Road for Nobody’ is wasteful insult to Northern Virginians

*Editorial: A bad deal for power customers (“State legislators are pushing bills to eliminate costly utility incentives and replace them with rules that could make rate increases more likely.”)

*Editorial: Open government goes social (“The public has a right to see public records generated in social media.”)

*With legislative battles looming, McDonnell pays a visit to Putney

*Hybrid vehicle owners plan protest at Va. Capitol today

*Dome site a good Beach investment

*After overnight storm, winds will bring in cold with possibly flurries Friday

So glad to see Gabby Giffords testifying, she sounds great as far as I’m concerned! More importantly is the content of what she – and her husband Mark Kelly – has to say about preventing further gun violence. As for Wayne LaPierre, let’s just say that I don’t believe in hell, but if there IS a hell, LaPierre will some day be in the lowest level of it.

P.S. Why is it that there are three pro-gun people on this panel, only two pro-gun-control people? Also, is there anyone in the Senate more shrill and absurd than Lindsey Graham?  

( – promoted by lowkell)

by Paul Goldman

Iran-Contra was illegal, almost got Reagan impeached. But that was then: here in 2013, what about a Virginia ammo-for-hostages deal involving 20 VA Democratic Senators held hostage to the redistricting debate and a GOP governor looking for ammunition to claim his “transportation legacy”?

The key to being a good poker player is knowing how to win with a losing hand. The raw deal: Democrats are not in control of their own fate on the Senate redistricting power play.

The unexpected MLK Day power move clearly has rattled the House GOP Caucus and Republican Governor McDonnell. Neither the Speaker nor the Governor saw it coming. There is internal dissension on what should be done.

While the outcome of this intra-party battle isn’t clear, as well as the outcome of any legal issues should the matter wind up before the Justice Department or the Courts, this much is certain: Game theory says Democrats have significant risk of losing this latest redistricting battle.

The Democrats’ redistricting lawyers say not to worry: The GOP power play will be derailed should it ever have to pass the Voting Rights Act or a constitutional challenge. The Dems’ redistricting lawyers promised the same derailment for the 2012 GOP redistricting plan. They were wrong. Could this be Groundhog Day?

More to the point: Can Democrats afford to put all their eggs in the lawyer’s basket? My gut: This risk vs reward equation is a little too….risky. Is there a better play according to game theory? There is sure is in theory.                  

Governor McDonnell has been like Captain Ahab when it comes to pursuing a transportation “legacy.” The reason for chasing this White Whale beats me: but “Call me Ishmael”, it is the storyline.

As I read the State Senate, he can’t get his transportation plan passed by just relying on GOP votes. A couple of Senators are running for GOP statewide nominations and they are going to be afraid of voting for something nomination opponents can call a “tax increase.”  

Meaning: If this is the right read of the GOP, then McD’s hope for a legacy on transportation depends on Democratic votes in the Senate.

Over in the House, the situation is far more complex. But let’s assume the governor can get a plan through the House where he figures to get some Democratic votes right now. If McD has the votes in the House to pass a transportation plan, then it gets done if he can get enough Senate Democrats on board. In theory, all 20 Democrats could do it for him without a single GOP Senate since Bolling is for it: and can break a tie.

The question: Is there a transportation-for-redistricting deal that makes sense for the state and all those in the GA combined?

Game theory says: Yes there is. There are a few easy massages to the governor’s plan which he and his transportation allies should surely accept. It will still leave the plan way short of what Democrats want, indeed what it should be.

But in terms of practical politics, it would be a principled first step true, far bigger than likely to pass in the future. That is reality.

The governor will take hits on his right flank, Democrats on their left flank, even folks in the middle will not be happy in many quarters. It is still a heavy lift as they say.

Yet when you can avoid the real game theory risks – Democrats could be out of power in the Senate until after the 2031 redistricting (as I have discussed previously) meaning no hope of any check and balance on a GOP Governor in the future and no real GA leverage for future Democratic Governors – in exchange for a decent transportation first step, the result is not has some real merit for the public interest.

Ideal? Of course not. Will it make Democrats feel all that good? Of course not. But leadership is having foresight, everything is 20-20 in hindsight.

My bottom line: It is worth seeing if Governor McD is open to it. If Saslaw and McEachin have been feeling McDonnell out, then I say they are doing the right thing, and deserve credit for having the guts to make the hard call. They deserve our full support.

There is simply too much at stake for the next generation of Virginia politics to refuse to explore all the options even those which you don’t like.

The public interest is paramount here. The redistricting power-play puts too much at risk to leave it all to the lawyers.

Moreover, let’s face facts: The governor has to be trying to wheel and deal right now to seek how he can maximize the situation for his own legacy interest.

If he is only playing poker with one side, how is that, net-net, the best possible option given what is at stake? I have no illusions nor expectations. But as a general rule, being pro-active gives you the best options in the long run even if it doesn’t work out in any specific situation.  

Here are a few Virginia (and national) news headlines, political and otherwise, for Wednesday, January 30. Also, check out the photo of Kathleen Murphy (with Democratic State Senator and AG candidate Mark Herring, who I’ve endorsed), and let’s help her beat the godawful Barbara Comstock.

*Lawmakers see no deal in sight to stop sequester

*Obama urges Congress not to delay on immigration

*The tea party is losing a few of its revelers

*Senate confirms John Kerry as secretary of state (Congratulations!)

*Three Charts Reminding The GOP That Domestic Spending Is Already Headed Toward Historic Lows (Republicans don’t need no stinkin’ facts!)

*Committees advance bills requiring drug screens of welfare recipients

*Senate panel kills proposal to reapportion Virginia’s presidential electoral votes

*McAuliffe hires top strategists (“Terry McAuliffe has added two top strategists to his campaign for governor of Virginia, bulking up his team for what has essentially become a nine-month general election race.”)

*Key Va. House panel rejects photo ID voting measure

*Virginia Inches Closer to Allowing In-State Tuition for Undocumented Students (“Legislation modeled after federal DREAM Act moves forward Tuesday.”)

*Editorial: More ballot choices for Virginia voters (“Republicans may not want more voters, but their standard bearer favors more candidates on the ballot.”)

*McDonnell: Process won’t affect decision on Senate redistricting plan

*Transportation plan needs repair (“McDonnell’s proposal is an incomplete and inadequate response to Virginia’s needs. The best lawmakers can do is pick this one apart and rebuild it – or abandon it in favor of something that actually addresses our traffic problems.”)

*Cuccinelli suggests Justice Scalia isn’t conservative enough (Perhaps Attila the Hun is more to Cuckoo’s tastes? What a wacko.)

*Gov. McDonnell Noncommittal on Attorney General Cuccinelli Stepping Down for Campaign

*Warner, Kaine speak on immigration reform proposals

*Gov. McDonnell: shacking up penalty outdated

*Va. Black Caucus members blast unjust policies

*Public prayer bill advances from Virginia Senate committee (We’ll see what the courts decide on this one…)

*Virginia is for lovers (“Lawmakers in the Virginia House of Delegates should approve employment-discrimination protections for LGBTQ state workers”)

*Entertainment complex planned at former Va. Beach Dome site

*Dragas wins confirmation to U.Va. governing board (It really amazes me that there’s no uproar from UVA students, faculty, etc. on this one.)

*Washington Redskins and Negro Mountain: Two offensive names that need to be changed

Good news, but just remember, the only way to make sure this doesn’t come back next year and thereafter is to make sure we win elections, first and foremost the one for governor of Virginia this year.

DPVA Chair, Del. Herring Commends Senate P&E Rejection of Electoral College Changes

RICHMOND — Just moments ago the Senate Privileges & Elections Committee voted to kill legislation aimed at dividing Electoral Votes by congressional district.

“I commend the members of Senate Privileges & Elections Committee that voted to reject a bill to allot Virginia’s Electoral Votes by congressional district,” said Delegate Charniele Herring. “We deserve fair representation across the Commonwealth not legislation aimed at dividing Virginians.

“Republicans in the legislature should focus on creating jobs and fixing the transportation problem plaguing Virginia instead of trying to rig elections in their favor.”