Va. Gov. Robert McDonnell’s transportation plan that would abolish the state’s gas tax in favor of a sales tax increase is off to a good start. The House of Delegates’ Finance Committee approved it 14-8 on Jan. 30 after only an hour’s worth of deliberation. Some Democrats did support the move. Many were expecting the plan’s first step to be more of a battle. The Senate Finance Committee is the next to consider the bold strategy.