"What's Wrong with this Picture?" Jan. 16, 2002

What's wrong with this picture? Virginia has just inaugurated its first Democratic governor – Mark Warner – in eight years. Republicans, who already dominated the state legislature, added to their margin in last November's election so that they now have a veto-proof majority.

And yet, the Democratic governor is calling for reduced spending on state projects, while at least two Republican members of the legislature are calling for tax increases so that the state can spend more on education. President Bush, a Republican, got $26 billion more of our dollars to msispend on government schools. And now some Virginia Republicans propose an increase in the sales tax to pay for new school construction.

The Democrat sees cutting spending as the best way to balance the budget. Some Republicans want to raise taxes. Again, what is wrong with this picture?

I'm Cal Thomas in Washington.