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Kaine Laments Failure To Deliver Transportation Bill

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By Jonathan Wilson

In his final speech in front of the Virginia legislature, Governor Kaine did all but admit defeat on the issue he came into office promising to champion: transportation.

"I had hoped to solve that issue as governor, but I couldn't convince you that we needed to invest new state money in roads to maintain our competitive edge," says Kaine.

Arlington Board of Supervisors vice chairman Chris Zimmerman says Kaine's failure wasn't for lack of effort.

"Gov. Kaine did more than anybody over many years, and came close, but because of the intransigence of the House of Delegates that wasn't possible," says Zimmerman.

Fairfax Board of Supervisors member John Cook says the lack of comprehensive transportation legislation out of Richmond speaks to a lack of leadership from the outgoing Governor.

"The governor failed to bring people together behind a plan," says Cook. "Part of leadership is getting people with different views to come together--that didn't happen."

Cook says Governor-Elect Bob McDonnell does have a plan, and its time to see if his approach can succeed where Kaine's didn't.

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