The Riverside Foundation will spend $1 million to create a pilot program to help the working uninsured get health insurance — even without the state’s participation.

Gov. Timothy M. Kaine’s original budget proposed spending $7.7 million to help the working poor. The program would have helped small businesses offer health insurance to their low-income workers. Under the plan, the state would have paid for one-third of the employee’s health insurance premium, while the employee and employer would each contribute a third of the cost.

When it appeared the program would fall victim to a tight budget year, the Riverside Foundation offered $1 million for a pilot program. Riverside Foundation, the charitable arm of Riverside Health System in Hampton Roads, offered its grant if the state would spend $500,000 for the plan.

But the program was not included in the General Assembly’s final budget, leaving Riverside’s donation up in the air. Riverside announced this week it would continue the program without state money.

The Daily Press reports the program will be aimed at businesses with two to 50 employees that don’t already offer health insurance. It would likely only cover employees whose income levels are at 200 percent of the poverty line or below (a household income of $40,000 for a family of four). It would follow Kaine’s model, covering one-third of the health insurance premium up to $75.

Riverside hopes the program will encourage state legislators to fund a larger program.

The Washington Post reports on the first statistical evidence of migration from Prince William County following its crackdown on illegal immigration.

Prince William County has seen a decrease of 759 students in its ESOL programs, with about 623 heading to Fairfax. Others have headed to Loudoun County, Alexandria and Arlington.

Under a resolution passed by the county Board of Supervisors, Prince William began denying some services illegal immigrants and requiring police to check the immigration status of crime suspects they think might be in the U.S. illegally.

This isn’t how it was supposed to be.

Just a year after the General Assembly passed the largest financial boost for state transportation funding in more than two decades, VDOT and the Commonwealth Transportation Board officials have had to cut 44 percent of highway construction funding.

On Wednesday, leaders from around Virginia told transportation officials of their regional transportation woes at VDOT headquarters in Richmond, one of six public hearings around the state held on the revised budget.

VDOT announced last week that a $1 billion shortfall over the next six years meant funding would be reduced by 44 percent for Virginia’s primary, secondary and urban roadways. Many projects across the state have been dropped or delayed in the six-year plan because of a weak economy and the General Assembly’s repeal of abusive driver fees.

“Unfortunately this year starts with a very grim revenue situation,” Virginia Transportation Secretary Pierce Homer said at the start of the Richmond meeting, the third of the six hearings.

Officials listened to regional leaders ask for additional funding for critical transportation needs in their area. Replacing bridges, widening roads and accommodating the anticipated explosive growth at Fort Belvoir and Fort Lee due to the Base Closure and Realignment Commission’s recommendations were among the requests.

Speakers remained cordial, understanding that VDOT did not have control over how much money the state raised for transportation.

“We are going to have to tighten our belt unless something happens on the supply side,” George McCarthy, CTB representative for the Richmond district said at the end of the meeting.

Ironically, those who control the supply side — state legislators — were just a few blocks away, caught up in a fight over judgeships.

It may be awhile before the there will be any new transportation money. Kaine is expected to call the General Assembly back to the Capitol in late June for a special session on transportation. But so far, opposing parties show no sign of compromise on boosting the money supply.

Stripped of its money-raising powers, the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority is turning to YouTube to publicize the region’s traffic woes.

The authority has started a site on YouTube, http://www.youtube.com/group/NVTAPOMC, which encourages Northern Virginians to share how daily congestion affects their lives. The site asks commuters to tape struggles endured during their daily commutes, including traffic jams, crowded buses and packed parking lots at Metro stations.

It also suggests including interviews of friends and family describing how traffic affects their families and quality of life.

The group also is asking commuters to remain safe — telling commuters to avoid videotaping while driving and to not use a tripod in a Metro station. (It’s illegal).

The site asks commuters to share their stories by May 15, hoping to use it to boost their case for more transportation funding before the General Assembly meets this spring. 

Under the 2007 transportation plan, the authority would have been able to raise about $300 million a year for regional projects. The Virginia Supreme Court said it was unconstitutional for an unelected authority to impose taxes.

It looks as if state lawmakers will return to Richmond in May or June to discuss ways to raise new money for transportation.

But arguments likely will reflect the same divisions as the 246-day special session held in 2006. Taxes versus no taxes. Regional versus statewide solutions.

Reports show neither side is budging. Republicans believe redesigning regional plans for Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads is the way to go. (The Virginia Supreme Court found the 2007 version unconstitutional.) Democrats think that shifts the state’s job to local governments.

Some Democrats still are pushing for a statewide increase in the gasoline tax — a move vehemently opposed by Republicans.

So, unless someone budges, Virginians in the state’s most congested regions will have little relief.

But if legislators aren’t willing to compromise, maybe they should just stay home. Taxpayers spent $250,000 on a special session that went nowhere in 2006. They can probably think of better ways to spend their money.