Yesterday Gov. Tim Kaine announced his transportation package. As expected, he called for hiking taxes and fees -- e.g., 1-percent regional sales tax increases in Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads and a $10-increase in vehicle registration fees. Today Kaine will begin holding town meetings throughout the state to promote the plan.

It will not be an easy sell.

Voters in Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads, for instance, decisively rejected regional taxes in 2002's twin referendums. Although their attitudes may have changed, citizens who embrace transportation proposals in the abstract often reject the specific taxes attached to them. They don't like gimmicks, either -- as the reaction to the abusive-driver fees so vividly suggested.

Virginia has been wrestling with transportation since the Kanawah Canal and other projects were supposed to link the commonwealth to the global economy. Disagreements regarding transportation contributed to the budget breakdowns of recent years. Results from selected GOP primaries indicate the party's base remains wary of tax hikes. While an increase in the gasoline tax represents the most appropriate way to generate additional revenue, soaring prices at the pump make the move extremely difficult -- perhaps impossible.

This page seldom applauds additional taxes. Yet increases appear inevitable -- not only for new roads but for maintenance on existing highways and bridges. Mass transit and rail also stake reasonable claims to greater resources. As we have argued on many occasions, more rational land-use planning can promote transportation efficiencies as well. Sunday's editorial, "It's Tele-Working," drew attention to telecommuting, a process in which technology-based employees work from home. A successful transportation program will have many ingredients, that's for sure.

The General Assembly will convene a special transportation session on June 23. Throughout the process, we will continue to welcome contributions to our Op/Ed page and Commentary section. Kaine deserves credit for pulling out the starter cables. Prior attemps to accomplish something would lead many, however, to anticipate the debate with the happy eagerness motorists show when leaving Richmond for a drive to Tysons, or, for that matter, when bolting on a Friday afternoon for a summer weekend at Virginia Beach. Think of the political fun to come!