RICHMOND, Va. -- For the second time in two years, legislators are being called back to Richmond for a special session to focus on highway funding.

Gov. Tim Kaine is calling the session, even though an agreement on his demand for major highway upkeep and repair funding is improbable.

Kaine said hundreds of millions of dollars that would be used for new roads are being used on ever-increasing costs of highway maintenance. He wants a statewide levy to cover the cost overruns that the state Department of Transportation estimates will approach $400 million next year and $600 million by 2014.

Republicans in the House of Delegates want no part of any statewide tax increase. They want the special session to only restore regional transportation funding authorities for Hampton Roads and northern Virginia.

Kaine and Democratic leaders in the House and Senate say the rest of the state can't be left out of the funding equation.