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Given the public outcry against last year's creation of sky-high abusive driver fees and un-elected taxing authorities, legislators in Richmond are frantic to "fix" those 2007 funding mistakes. However, the substitutions being proposed are arguably worse for Virginia taxpayers.

Essentially, Governor Tim Kaine and friendly legislators are looking to swap the fees for broad-based tax increases. Targets under discussion include the sales tax on vehicle purchases (currently at 3 percent) and the state gas tax (currently at 17.5 cents a gallon).

If Virginia politicians want to spend more on transportation projects, they should take a harder look at their own budget habits, not at our wallets. Making better use of existing funds or protecting the Commonwealth Transportation Fund from raids are both good alternatives to increasing taxes.

Governor Kaine needs to hear from us now -- tell him "no way" to higher taxes.