Kaine:"This toll deal is bad"

RICHMOND, Va. (WAVY) - The controversial Public-Private Partnership that threatens to put tolls on the Downtown and Midtown Tunnels didn't just happen over night. Governor Bob McDonnell's Administration cut the deal, but the preliminary negotiations took place under former Governor Tim Kaine.

Kaine told WAVY.com the partnership is not a bad deal because they didn't do a good job negotiating, it's  bad because Virginia is not a major investor.

Kaine said The Midtown-Downtown Tunnel Public-Private Partnership isn't what he envisioned. He never dreamed the state would pay so little, leaving citizens to pay so much.

"It is not fair for Hampton Roads folks to be paying six out of seven bucks when this project is going to have benefits to the entire Commonwealth," Kaine said.

Back in 2002, Portsmouth Delegate Johnny Joannou told his constituents to vote against a state sales tax hike of one cent on the dollar to pay for roads.

Faced with the General Assembly's refusal to raise taxes to pay for roads, Kaine claims he was left with no choice.

"At the end of my administration with the legislature stonewalling with state money, we started a dialogue with the contractor."

If the referendum had passed, it's likely the Midtown Tunnel and five other critical transportation projects would be funded without the imposition of tolls.

"They opposed the Statewide transportation revenue...now they are opposing the tolls, but then they are saying we have to fix the infrastructure. There's no magic beans you can plant that's going to grow money," said Kaine.

Kaine added what's happening in Richmond is happening in Congress.

"You know how it is in politics today. It is today, and it isn't tomorrow. I want to see the money. Show me the money," said State Senator Louise Lucas.

Lucas told WAVY.com she and 19 other Democratic senators will not pass Governor McDonnell's budget unless the state puts more transportation money in Hampton Roads and Northern Virginia.

"Until I am sure that the money is in the budget, ...this budget is a no go. It is DOA. Dead on Arrival," Lucas added.

The legislative fireworks begin Wednesday, April 18 during the General Assembly's veto session.

Suffolk Delegate Chris Jones said he has been told by the McDonnell Administration money will be there to delay people paying tolls until January 2014. It is unsure where that money will come from.