
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, January 28, 1995                   TAG: 9501300021
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-3   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: THOMAS G. BAKER JR.
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

2,219 NEW BILLS IN ASSEMBLY

The final tally of new bills filed by the House and Senate totaled 2,219. This was down approximately 700 bills from last year. Hopefully, this will help allow us to more closely examine and deliberate the budget and finance legislation that has taken center stage for this year's session.

Among the bills filed prior to the deadline was a measure offered by Del. John Watkins, R-Midlothian, to privatize the sale of liquor. HB 1975 provides for a referendum on the measure and allows one store per 20,000 people. The state would continue to set liquor prices, but would phase out the state ABC stores as private liquor outlets open. I am opposed to the privatization of liquor sales in Virginia for several reasons. Private liquor stores will be in the business, obviously to make a profit and may be less likely to screen for customer age. This will allow minors more and easier access to liquor and risk an increase in the incidence of DUI accidents.

I will also oppose the riverboat gambling measure.

Other bills of substantial interest to our district include HB 1959 offered by Del. Jay DeBoer, D-Petersburg. This legislation will help preserve the accumulated sick leave of classified state employees. A very large number of you who are state employees have contacted me with your concerns about the loss of your accumulated leave. I am happy to support this measure. HB 2244 offered by Del. William Robinson, D-Norfolk, asks for a statewide advisory referendum on the registration and permitting of handguns. I opposed this bill, as in my mind, it would be the first step in the process of restricting or limiting gun ownership, of all types, by statewide binding referendum. The governor's parental notification bill, HB 2408, will be carried by Del. Roger McClure, R-Centreville. I support the measure and serve as a co-patron on this bill.

I have been asked by the governor and attorney general to carry various bills for the administration. For the governor, I will carry a school funding disparity measure designed to ensure that the next biennial budget will, by statute, include additional monies for school funding and that the program will not be mandated upon the localities. I have also been asked by the governor to be chief patron on the Major Business Facilities Tax Credit bill. This legislation will remove the $1 million cap on credits for large industries and allow the credit to be used over a 10-year period. This measure, if successful, should be yet another economic inducement for large industry, such as Volvo-GM, to locate in Virginia. I have been asked by Attorney General James Gilmore to carry HB 2307 which is a measure designed to reduce the time in which prisoners sentenced to death can file yet another appeal to delay execution.

Please remember that the General Assembly's toll free number for messages is 1-800-889-0229.

I can be reached at (804) 786-6605 and by mail at Room 446, General Assembly Building, Capitol Square, P.O. Box 406, Richmond, Va., 23203, or through my Dublin office at 674-4081 and P.O. Box 1847, Dublin, Va., 24084.

Keywords:
GENERAL ASSEMBLY 1995

by CNB