Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, March 18, 1995 TAG: 9503200027
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium
He also said he will sign a welfare reform bill Monday in Newport News.
The learner's permit bill, which will take effect July 1, is intended to give student drivers up to a year of practice with adult supervision before they start driving alone.
Current law allows Virginians to obtain a learner's permit at age 15 years, 8 months, giving them just four months of driving experience before becoming eligible for a driver's license at 16.
Some driving instructors say the extra experience will make teen-agers better drivers while others claim young people are too immature to start driving, even with an adult, on their 15th birthdays.
Del. Frank Hargrove, R-Hanover County and sponsor of the bill, said he has been surprised by the number of comments he has received about the legislation.
``I've had many more substantial bills that haven't drawn this much interest,'' Hargrove said. He said most of the comments have been positive.
Certainly the bill is popular among youngsters who will be affected. Anne Kincaid, Allen's director of constituent services, said the governor's office heard from only two adults on the bill but received petitions signed by 193 Stephens City 14- and 15-year-olds supporting the measure.
Allen has touted the welfare bill as one of the most sweeping reforms in the nation. It will require able-bodied recipients to work for their benefits, limit benefits to two years, deny additional benefits for recipients who have another child, and require unmarried, school-age mothers to stay in school and live with their parents.
Allen says the bill will save taxpayers $130 million over four years. Critics say the measure is punitive and question whether enough jobs will be available for people booted off the welfare rolls after two years.
Keywords:
GENERAL ASSEMBLY 1995
by CNB