The road to a transportation fix yesterday led to the Executive Mansion, where Gov. Timothy M. Kaine huddled privately with Democratic legislative leaders and his personal pollster.

"The governor is continuing his series of meetings with legislators to come up with a transportation solution that is simple, statewide and sufficient to meet our transportation needs," said Kaine communications director Delacey Skinner.

Despite renewed Republican warnings that he will again propose new taxes, Kaine is promising to call the General Assembly into special session -- perhaps next month or in June -- to again address the state's transportation-funding dilemma.

Among those attending yesterday's unannounced meeting: Senate Majority Leader Richard L. Saslaw, D-Fairfax; Senate Democratic Caucus Chairwoman Mary Margaret Whipple of Arlington County; House Minority Leader Ward L. Armstrong, D-Henry, and House Democratic Caucus Chairman Brian J. Moran of Alexandria.

"We'll have a good discussion about transportation needs," Moran said as he entered the gate of the Executive Mansion.

Pete Brodnitz, who measures public opinion for Kaine and U.S. Sen. Jim Webb, D-Va., presented fresh polling data on transportation to Kaine, lawmakers, senior gubernatorial aides and operatives for the House and Senate caucuses.

Details of the Brodnitz survey were not immediately available, but someone familiar with it said the poll shows that Virginians want lawmakers to return to Richmond and remain in session until they fashion a solution.

The poll, the source said, also reveals support for higher taxes for roads and rails. Facing resistant Republicans, Kaine has unsuccessfully recommended higher fuel and motor-vehicle taxes since taking office in January 2006.

Last week, Kaine met with Democratic and Republican legislative bosses.

After that closed session, House Speaker William J. Howell, R-Stafford, suggested that Democrats may be angling for another impasse on transportation in hopes of using it against the GOP in the 2009 House and gubernatorial elections.

Transportation financing has taken on new urgency in Virginia because of the declining economy, public dissatisfaction with the hard-won 2007 transit program and a Virginia Supreme Court decision weakening it.

The assembly, urged on by Kaine, repealed unpopular bad-driver fees, draining $65 million from the plan.

The high court knocked out an additional $500 million, ruling that the legislature had illegally extended tax powers to unelected regional agencies responsible for highway improvements in Hampton Roads and Northern Virginia.
Contact Jeff E. Schapiro at (804) 649-6814 or jschapiro@timesdispatch.com.