WASHINGTON (Map, News) - Gov. Tim Kaine had a conspicuous omission from the bundle of tax increases he rolled out Monday: No increase in the state gas tax.

The governor defied much speculation that expanding the state’s 17.5 cent-per-gallon tax would be a centerpiece in his statewide plan to boost road and rail revenue. Kaine, at a news conference, said the reasons for the decision were rooted both in political reality and input from Virginians.

“My sense in talking to citizens around Virginia and businesses, is that they view the gas tax like they view the tax on food and medicine; they view gas as a necessity,” Kaine said at an afternoon news conference.

He added that “political opposition to the gas tax is very strong.”

The concession didn’t stop House Republican leaders from using the high price of gasoline to argue that Virginians are already too squeezed to handle Kaine’s other proposed tax increases on home and car sales.

Pump prices reached an average of $3.64 for regular in Virginia Monday, according to AAA Mid-Atlantic auto club.

Senate Democrats were largely mum on Monday about the omission. Majority Leader Sen. Richard Saslaw, the gas tax increase’s most vocal proponent, said in a statement he hoped Kaine’s proposal would be “a starting point for discussion.”

wflook@dcexaminer.com