Reply #10: Kaine to Launch Virginia Gubernatorial Run Today [View All]

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March 16, 2005

Kaine to Launch Virginia Gubernatorial Run Today
Democrat Focuses on Property Tax Relief, Transportation, Education

By Michael D. Shear and Chris L. Jenkins

Lt. Gov. Timothy M. Kaine prepares to
embark on a barnstorming tour.
He said he wants to slow the rise in real
estate taxes.


RICHMOND -- Lt. Gov. Timothy M. Kaine will formally announce his candidacy for governor Wednesday with a call for homeowner tax relief and a promise to improve the state's transportation system, promote excellence in education and maintain discipline in the state budget.

Kaine -- a lawyer and the son of an ironworker -- said in an interview that he wants to slow the dramatic increase in real estate taxes that can wreak havoc on the budgets of middle-class families.

"We've got five very practical and concrete things we can do that we think are going to cut homeowners' taxes," he said, although he declined to provide details before he begins a tour of the state Wednesday. "You do it by adjustment to the relationship between state and local government. And you do it by dealing with the property tax head on."

Kaine (D) is scheduled to begin the barnstorming tour at Big Stone Gap in southwest Virginia, where he will appear with his father-in-law and political mentor, former Republican governor A. Linwood Holton. He will travel by plane to Roanoke, Herndon, Norfolk and Richmond. Gov. Mark R. Warner (D) is scheduled to join him in Northern Virginia.

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