Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, January 10, 1994 TAG: 9401100246
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A7 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: GLENN K. DAVIDSON and DANIEL M. CONLEY
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
The Roanoke Times & World-News printed Darden's commentary about the Wilder administration in its Dec. 26 edition. Those unfamiliar with inside Virginia politics might be led to believe that Darden is somewhat of an objective source about the administration. The truth is, he is an anti-Wilder zealot.
Darden has spent many years opposing the campaigns of Gov. Wilder for the state Senate, lieutenant governor, governor, and now for the U.S. Senate. For the past four years, he has continually, and publicly, carped about Wilder. Now, as the administration comes to an end and the people of Virginia are entitled to an objective, intelligent recounting of the Wilder record, Darden has the gall to say ``such high hopes make the disappointments of the past four years even greater.''
Coming from a man who has never wished anything but ill-will on Wilder, this comment is staggeringly disingenuous. At the close of his commentary, Darden even tries to deflect potential criticism of his remarks by saying the governor "will either call me a racist, suggest that Sen. Robb is behind it, or complain that he has been held to a higher standard."
Don't worry, Darden. A person like yourself with so much venom provides a sufficient target. As for the substance of Darden's diatribe, simple facts are the best answer to his gossip and outright lies.
On the question of fiscal management, Darden earns his anti-Wilder stripes by denying denies the governor credit for his greatest accomplishment. While every state government in the nation suffered from the dual blows of a national recession and crushing federal spending mandates over the past four years, Wilder balanced Virginia's budget without wholesale layoffs or a general tax increase.
No other governor in Virginia history has faced the simultaneous prospect of a meltdown in the defense contracting business, a national recession, a regional recession in the Washington, D.C., area, rapidly expanded state expenditures left over from the previous governor, and rapidly growing mandatory spending called for by the federal government. To see this crisis coming, to win passage of a reserve fund (which later Virginia voters recognized should be a permanent part of the budget), and to keep Virginia's government operating smoothly - all without a tax increase - is an accomplishment that deserves high praise.
Furthermore, the 1994-96 biennial budget proposed by Wilder includes major tax breaks, including the long-promised repeal of sales taxes on nonprescription drugs. No doubt Darden opposes this tax relief.
Critics who complain about Wilder's spending cuts fail to acknowledge another of his greatest accomplishments - approval of a capital bonds package for higher education, mental health facilities and parks. These bond proposals more than made up for temporary budget cuts for capital facilities.
In short, Darden's criticisms of Wilder's fiscal policies are the rantings of a partisan who doesn't have his facts straight. It is laughable that
Darden uses two great Virginia economic development success stories of the past four years - the opening of the Cigna Insurance headquarters and the announcement of Disney's America - as evidence of the administration's failure. If Wilder has done such a terrible job of creating a positive business environment, why are these two great companies moving to our state?
Clearly, the first order of business for any government is to keep its house in order. The need for a lean government and low taxes is more important today than ever. Tax-and-spend liberals like Darden would drive away businesses from Virginia by increasing tax rates and weakening the buying power of Virginia consumers. Our stable tax rates and strong quality of life remain our greatest economic magnets.
The fact of the matter is that criticisms of the Wilder administration's economic development record are all ``anecdotal,'' which is a fancy word for gossip. Wilder eliminated the World Trade Agency because it had no clear mission and was hampering state trade efforts.
And all the stories about ``squabbling'' within the administration are irrelevant. From 1990 through the first half of 1993, Wilder has brought nearly 50,000 new jobs and more than $3 billion in new investment to Virginia. Major businesses coming to Virginia over the past four years include GEICO, United Solar, ASAA, HFC, Bausch & Lomb, the National Air & Space Museum Annex and the United Negro College Fund.
The governor also successfully sought the creation of a multimillion-dollar Governor's Economic Opportunity Fund to be used for road improvements, expansion of water and sewer systems, and other projects required to attract new businesses.
Before this fund was established, the hands of Virginia's governor were tied with respect to negotiating with companies - which often meant losing out to other states. The people of Virginia support such assistance, but we contend they would object if the state entered the high-stakes bidding wars.
As for one of the few specific examples Darden cites, does he believe that Virginia should have tried to top Alabama's offer of hundreds of millions in aid and their pledge to buy Mercedes-Benz cars for the state fleet? Even Alabamans are beginning to question the extraordinary promises made to Mercedes.
Tough economic times demand hard choices, and the Wilder administration has succeeded in convincing our institutions of higher education to restructure and prepare for the 21st century. While people like Darden might approve of throwing more and more money at our colleges and universities, no matter the costs, Wilder's policies have led these schools to begin the hard work of perestroika.
College and university presidents have a reason to complain about state budgets - they are lobbyists for their schools. They want every dollar they can get. Wilder fought for passage of the higher education bonds package that helped alleviate much of their budgetary strain.
Now some of these colleges and universities are beginning to act, and their steps should keep students and parents from facing further tuition increases in the future. James Madison University, Norfolk State University and Old Dominion University have taken important steps toward ensuring that students get what they pay for, and the effect of the Wilder restructuring will be felt over the next decade.
Some critics will, of course, give this credit to others, or will find ways to deny the progress. But there is no denying the fact that Virginia colleges remain near the top of the ``best buy'' lists and ``quality'' lists. Despite the conventional wisdom, the meltdown of Virginia education has not occurred. Virginia's students are receiving a high-quality education at a damn good price, regardless of what demagogues might claim.
Darden is not the only Virginia public official who doesn't like Wilder. In any office or business, you will find people who don't like each other or who have disagreements.
But in politics, the media find any such disagreement high drama, and it turns all issues into a personal battle of wills. When Wilder has a disagreement with someone, he is direct. He stands his ground for what he believes in. If the issue involved is often obscured, that is the unfortunate result of bad reportage.
In the list of people with whom Wilder has conducted ``feuds,'' Darden lists no specific issues. It does not matter to Darden that members of Chuck Robb's staff, in the words of Robb staffer Chris Bridge, advocated that they ``continue guerrilla warfare, with a facade of public civility'' against the Wilder administration. Wilder must be guilty of feuding.
It does not matter that Mary Sue Terry sued Wilder. Wilder must be feuding again. And who cares that Wilder tirelessly stumped in 1992 for Bill Clinton? Everyone knows they must be feuding. Issues don't matter to Wilder-haters, because the governor is simply always wrong.
As Darden said, the Wilder record does speak for itself. Wilder led Virginia out of a recession with a solid fiscal footing - much more than can be said for the government he inherited. He enacted groundbreaking gun control and anti-violent crime laws, as well as nationally acclaimed welfare reforms.
Objective analyses of the Wilder record will take into account the good and the bad and, in time, the balance will prove quite favorable. Some critics will always have reason to bark opposition to Wilder's every action. Those growls will fade, and the proud record of achievement will be heard.
\ Glenn K. Davidson is chief of staff in the Wilder administration and Daniel M. Conley is special assistant to the governor.
by CNB