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Virginia's Pain in the Gas

Virginia needs money; drivers may pay at the pump

By Nancy Norman

| Monday, Dec 14, 2009 | Updated 7:30 PM EST

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With a $4 billion budget deficit looming in Virginia, lawmakers may feel the need to raise taxes when the General Assembly meets in January, and if you drive in the state, you may feel the pinch at the pump.

The Northern Virginia Transportation Alliance, a McLean-based organization, said raising the gas tax in Virginia would produce the money for much-needed transportation projects.

Outgoing Gov. Tim Kaine has not ruled out repealing the phasing out of the Virginia car tax. For a lame-duck governor, he is not resting on his way out. The governor is very much involved in talks about taxes.

Republicans said they will stick with governor-elect Bob McDonnell's pledge not to raise taxes for any reason.