Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, August 21, 1995 TAG: 9508210002
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
- Michael K. Thompson, Blacksburg
The background:
It's the old guns vs. butter dilemma of Econ 101 classes of yore. You have just so much tax money; how do you set your priorities? Democrats say Gov. George Allen and the Republicans want to put the spending emphasis on prisons at the expense of education. Republicans, including Allen, say they can do both and are only trying to make the education establishment more efficient.
The General Assembly's role:
The legislature takes the governor's budget proposal, modifies it and sends it back for a signature or veto. Last winter, the Democratic majority rejected the governor's sweeping realignment of priorities in the second year of a budget inherited from former Democratic Gov. Douglas Wilder. This winter, Allen will propose his budget for 1996-98.
The answers:
The question was directed to the candidates for the House of Delegates seat that covers Blacksburg, part of Christiansburg, northern Montgomery County and eastern Giles County.
Larry Linkous (R): "First of all, I am not going to prioritize by what may be politically advantageous. I will prioritize by what I believe to be the right way, period.
"To choose the top of the list is easy, but they both go hand in hand. Education and economic development are difficult to separate because one feeds the other. As a student finishes his or her senior year in our secondary school system, he or she must possess the knowledge and skills that will allow him or her to choose the work force or higher education. We must assure industries that we can continue to provide a well-educated and trainable work force.
"On the other hand, the tax dollars generated by our industries are a key component in allowing us to continue to fund quality education. Therefore, I see these two factors as equally important. Of course, higher education is economic development to our region.
"While not always pleasant, the construction of prisons is an important subject. Unfortunately, crime, especially in more urban areas, continues to increase. We cannot afford to ignore the situation, but must stand up and deal with it. Until criminals know that they will receive more than a slap on the wrist for committing crimes against our law-abiding citizens, they will continue their criminal activity. I do support alternatives to prison for first-time nonviolent offenders. Hopefully, job training and other educational programs will prevent future criminal activity. However, I do feel that violent and habitual offenders should be punished. If it takes new prisons to house them, that is just a harsh reality. These offenders do not need to be on the streets raping and murdering our families and friends.
"Out of these four topics, I would rank gun control last. What is truly important here is self-control and personal responsibility. I believe in the individual's right to protect him- or herself, whether with a gun or other weapon. However, I have no problem supporting very stiff penalties for those who commit crimes with guns. In those cases, the individuals are being judged for their actions, not the tools used."
Del. Jim Shuler (D):``Personal ranking of priorities: first, education; second, economic development; third, prison construction; fourth, gun control. Political ranking: same."
What other candidates say:
Generally speaking, Republican candidates this fall say their priority is the makeover of state government that Gov. George Allen is pushing. They emphasize cutting back state programs, turning the state's lottery proceeds over to local governments, cutting taxes and accelerating the state's prison-building program. They're also pushing various educational "reforms," such as setting up experimental "charter" schools within the public school system.
Democratic candidates generally say their top priority is increasing funding for higher education, which they see as the key for economic development, especially in Western Virginia.
- BRIAN KELLEY
Got a question for the candidates? Send it to Citizens' Agenda, The Roanoke Times, P.O. Box 2491, Roanoke 24010, or fax it to 981-3346 or e-mail dyanceyinfi.net. Please include your name, address, daytime phone number and specify which candidates your question is for.
Keywords:
POLITICS
by CNB