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Wednesday night, Governor McDonnell laid out his plans for Virginia.
His fourth State of the Commonwealth address touched on recurring themes, more jobs, better education, improved roads. Speaking to the General Assembly in Richmond, McDonnell also implored state lawmakers to fix our aging streets and highways.
"I am asking you this session please do not leave without approving a long-term transportation funding plan for Virginia. And please do not send me a budget that does not include new transportation funding. Because we are out of excuses. The time to act is now," said Governor McDonnell. The governor also reiterated his desire to eliminate the double digit gasoline tax and replace it with an increase of the state sales tax.
The Governor gets credit from Republicans and Democrats for taking on some of the state's more challenging problems. But there are differences on his specific proposals.
As you would expect, Republicans are very complimentary. Democrats more critical in their response. But on both sides of the aisle, we heard that many of proposals will represent a starting point in the political dialogue.
Republicans praised the Governor as a problem solver. "There's no problem too big that he doesn't want to tackle with innovation and new ideas, so he continues to amaze me in his willingness to put new ideas out theres. I think what you've seen is a very good plan," Senator Bill Stanley, (R) 20th District, explained.
Democrats questioned his priorities including his refusal to accept an expansion of Medicaid funding from the federal government. "This would be about $2 billion a year . It would create jobs for one thing and go to health care providers and expand the number of people who are on Medicaid by 250,000 or 350,000 people so I think that was a big disappointment," Senator John Edwards, (D) 21st District, told us.
But on controversial issues including the Governor's efforts to restructure education, Roanoke Delegate Onzlee Ware said he would keep an open mind. "I dont necesasarily agree with everything he's going to do, but the spirit of it. I cant sit here and deny that even with all the hard work that for some kids it's just not working, so I'm leaiving myself open to at elast being open minded enough to figure out other otpions."
Two of the governor's most notable announcements included proposals that would allow the state to take over failing school systems, and a plan to provide automatic restoration of civil rights for non-violent felons. Salem Delegate Greg Habeeb is leading the charge on both.
"You know I told people when I first ran that education, public safety the judicial system, those were keys to me , so to have the restoration of rights now on the statewide landscape, the governor endorsed my proposal, the attorney general has endorsed it tonight as well, so we're really excited to get to committee and fight for the bill," Habeeb told us.
The speech was more about practical solutions than partisanship. McDonnell appealed to lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to work together on education, transportation and jobs.
But many of his proposals are controversial, even within his own party, and it will be a challenge to find common ground during his final months in office.