ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, January 25, 1997 TAG: 9701270048
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-4 EDITION: METRO GENERAL ASSEMBLY
For the second year, a bill to create charter schools in Virginia died Friday on a tie vote in the House Education Committee.
Opposition to the schools - which would be supported by taxpayers but not subject to all state policies and regulations - was led by the Virginia NAACP. The civil rights group argued that the plan could open the door for school segregation.
"I'm elated that this dangerous legislation has been defeated," said Salim Khalfani, spokesman for the state NAACP.
Advocates of the bill said charter schools would create much-needed competition in public education that would result in improved learning. Twenty-five states have some form of charter schools.
The bill's sponsor - Del. Phillip Hamilton, R-Newport News - denied the schools create a discriminatory climate. He said 48 percent of the students at charter schools in Massachusetts are minorities.
Hamilton was angry at the NAACP after the defeat and said he may not introduce the bill again next year. "I'm not sure I have the perseverance to be called a racist one more time," he said.
The bill failed on a largely partisan vote, with Republicans favoring the measure and 11 of 13 Democrats on the panel opposing it. The only Western Virginia legislator on the panel, Salem Republican Morgan Griffith, voted yes.
Khalfani, noting that Republicans may be on the verge winning a General Assembly majority, predicted that the bill will one day be passed.
"That's probably the reality," he said. "It's unfortunate. We wish people would spend their energy improving the public schools we already have."
Gilmore backs parental rights
Attorney General Jim Gilmore said Friday he supports a constitutional amendment guaranteeing parents the right to raise their children as they see fit.
Gilmore, the likely Republican nominee for governor this year, had been silent on the issue, which has broad GOP support.
Lt. Gov. Don Beyer, the probable Democratic nominee for governor, opposes the amendment. He says it could give parents ammunition to challenge child-abuse, immunization and compulsory school attendance laws.
Gilmore disagrees. ``If this amendment in any way would harm Virginia's children, I would oppose it,'' he said.
The Senate, which is evenly divided with 20 Democrats and 20 Republicans, is scheduled to vote on the measure Monday.
As president of the Senate, Beyer would break any tie vote.
Quote of the day
``Everybody wants to go to heaven, but nobody wants to die.''
- Del. Vic Thomas, D-Roanoke, on the General Assembly's reluctance to finance an Urban Partnership initiative helping urban areas
House wants school authority
A bill giving the General Assembly final authority over school accreditation standards - instead of the state Board of Education - cleared a House of Delegates committee Friday. The Education Committee voted 18-3 to send the bill to the House floor.
The bill reflects discontent among legislators, including some Republicans, with the ideological bent of the state board, which is dominated by conservatives appointed by GOP Gov. George Allen.
The accreditation standards include such items as graduation requirements and the number of guidance counselors schools must have.
A related measure that would dissolve the State Council of Higher Education, which is appointed by the governor, and re-create it with six members appointed by the governor and five by the legislature, is in a House committee.
What's next
Coming up: A crunch week. As lawmakers approach "crossover," when proposed laws must finish up in one house and move to the other chamber, committees work overtime and floor sessions expand.
Extra hours begin today, with House committees scheduled for sessions and a floor session at 3p.m.
More committees will work on Sunday afternoon, with some legislators vowing to finish up - or leave - before the Super Bowl begins.
Getting involved
* Parents, volunteers and professionals concerned with the well-being of children and youth will convene in Richmond on Monday for Child Advocacy Day. Activities will begin at 7 a.m. at St. Paul's Episcopal Church across from Capitol Square. Following presentations on children's issues, participants will go to the Capitol at 11 a.m. and talk to legislators on children's behalf.
Child Advocacy Day is sponsored by the Action Alliance for Virginia's Children and Youth, a statewide advocacy organization. For more information, call the Action Alliance at (804)649-0184.
* Monday is also Catholic Advocacy Day. Church members will deliver their message to legislators that the needs of the poor and vulnerable are moral priorities. Participants will meet at St. Peter's Church on Grace Street a couple of blocks west of the Capitol at 9:30a.m.
Staff writers Warren Fiske, David M. Poole and Jane Evans; The Associated Press; and Elizabeth Simpson of Landmark News Service contributed to this report.
WHERE THINGS STAND
Status of key pieces of legislation
DRUNKEN DRIVING
HB 1796, by Del. Beverly Sherwood, R-Winchester, would allow judges to order distinctive stickers attached to the license plates of repeat drunken drivers.
DRUNKEN DRIVING
HB 2395, by Del. John "Butch" Davies, D-Culpeper, would change the penalty for drivers under 21 with any blood-alcohol content to a Class 1 misdemeanor (punishable by up to one year in jail and/or a $2,500 fine) and a one-year license suspension.
FISHING
HB 1915, by Del. Glenn Croshaw, D-Virginia Beach, would make it a Class 3 misdemeanor (punishable by a fine of up to $500) to impede someone who is legally fishing. The bill is aimed at animal rights activists.
HEADLIGHTS
Passed House 70-30.
In Senate committee
HB 1696, by Del. Creigh Deeds, D-Warm Springs, would require motorists to use their headlights when driving in the rain.
PERSONAL WATERCRAFT
HB 2459, by Del. Eric Cantor, R-Henrico County, woudl require jet ski operators to complete a boating safety course.
MOTORBOATS
SB 890, by Sen. Roscoe Reynolds, D-Henry County, would ban operation of motorboats by anyone younger than 14.
TAXES
SB 750, by Sen. Charles Colgan, D-Manassas, would cut the local personal property tax and raise the state sales tax.
TAXES
SB 934, by Sen. Kevin Miller, R-Harrisonburg, would increase standard income tax deduction from $3,000 to $3,600 for single taxpayers, from $5,000 to $6,000 for married taxpayers filing jointly and from $2,500 to $3,000 for married filing separately.
TAXES
SB 935, by Sen. Kevin Miller, R-Harrisonburg, would double the income tax deduction for each personal exemption from $800 to $1,600.
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