THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, January 1, 1997 TAG: 9701010247
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY WARREN FISKE, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: 174 lines
He was once derided as ``Boy George'' by Democratic opponents and dismissed as a lightweight. But as Gov. George F. Allen, 44, begins his final year in office, his adversaries now acknowledge that he could leave an important imprint on the way Virginia educates its children, punishes lawbreakers and helps the poor.
In a year-end interview with The Virginian-Pilot, Allen described his initiatives as ``pretty secure.'' He warned anyone tempted to undo them.
``They're not just historic changes because I like them,'' he said. ``The people, who own this government, like them too. I think they can only be changed at great risk.''
Allen's goal in 1997, according to his advisers, is to make sure that his initiatives will last. Gone are the days of proposing bold new ideas. Allen's focus, starting Jan. 8 when the General Assembly begins 45 days of business, will be on the less exciting, but important task of implementing his policies.
It will be challenge enough to protect Allen programs that are just now unfolding:
Welfare reform will begin in two-thirds of the state this year. The results in core cities such as Norfolk, Portsmouth and Richmond will largely determine the success of the program.
Almost nine out of 10 school systems by the turn of the century will have implemented Allen's educational initiatives, stressing mastery of basic subjects and standardized testing.
Prison expansion, to house violent criminals for longer sentences, continues at a brisk pace.
Del. William P. Robinson Jr., D-Norfolk, said it will take years to assess welfare reform and other Allen initiatives.
``He could leave some very deep footprints but only time will tell if they are constructive ones,'' Robinson said.
Republicans, hoping to gain unprecedented control of the General Assembly before the turn of the century, credit Allen with laying a popular foundation for conservative leadership in Virginia.
``I don't see how anyone could justify making deep changes to these programs,'' said Senate Republican Leader Joseph B. Benedetti of Richmond. ``The programs make sense. They show the public that we (Republicans) are ready to govern.''
The verdict on Allen's leadership will be important to Allen, who is expected to run for the U.S. Senate in 2000.
Allen declines to discuss his future, saying ``most people are just sick of politics.'' And in terms of legacy, Allen said ``my overall goal has been to achieve any promises that I've made.''
``Some of the things have been impossible to deliver,'' he added. ``But it's not as if I haven't tried.''
This year's Assembly will be played out against the backdrop of November elections when Virginians will chose a new governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general. All 100 seats in the House of Delegates are up for grabs. The results, Allen says, could determine how well his reforms persevere.
During the Assembly session ``people will be very conscious of the political implications of what they do and say and how they act,'' said Del. Clifton A. Woodrum, D-Roanoke.
Allen appears to have learned the limitations of the administration in the 1995 General Assembly session. After reforming welfare and abolishing parole, the Democratic-controlled legislature blocked his plans to cut state income taxes. Allen would have paid for the reduction with controversial cuts to education and popular programs such as Meals on Wheels for senior citizens.
The governor took his case to the public in that fall's legislative races, labeling the Democratic leadership as ``monarchical elitists'' and arrogant, wasteful spenders. Despite his efforts, Republicans failed to gain majorities in either chamber of the General Assembly.
Since then, Allen has softened his partisan rhetoric and sought common ground with Democrats. ``Let's work for the people,'' he told the Democratic-dominated money committees on Dec. 20 when he presented his budget proposals. ``They didn't send us down here to bicker; they sent us down here to work.''
Allen downplays the effect of 1995 on his administration. But it's clear he learned from the experience. After being scorned by Democrats for proposing cuts to education prior to the election, the governor came back in 1996 and increased education spending by $1 billion.
For 1997, he has proposed another $30 million for public education. Of that, about $7 million would be spent to test first-graders for reading deficiencies and $6 million would be spent on teaching supplies for the back-to-basics curriculum.
Allen, however, remains the only governor still refusing to accept Goals 2000 money from the federal government, almost $7 million. He said he is concerned that there could be shoestrings attached to the money that might give the federal government greater control over public schools.
Lt. Gov. Donald S. Beyer - the presumptive Democratic nominee for governor - wants the legislature to pass a resolution asking Allen to accept the money - about $23 million over the next four years.
``As long as that money is out there we're going to try to get some of it,'' said Roanoke's Woodrum. ``It will be a continuing problem for the administration and the General Assembly.''
Across Virginia, most school systems are devising new courses to comply with Allen's voluntary back-to-basics curriculum, stressing math, science, English and history. Starting in spring 1998, students in third, fifth, eighth and eleventh grades will take standardized tests in the four subject areas. Average results will be released so that the public can compare scores between individual schools and school systems and deficiencies in teaching can be identified.
Those tests are being developed now and will be administered on a trial basis - the results of which will not be publicized - this spring.
Perhaps his greatest challenge in reforming welfare this year will be to assure there are ample jobs for the almost 30,000 recipients affected by the reform. The program requires that parents work to receive Aid to Families with Dependent Children benefits. It allows them to receive only two years of benefits during any five-year period.
Allen recently formed a partnership with business leaders and major employers in the Richmond area to create opportunities for welfare recipients. He said he envisions setting up similar ventures in other parts of the state.
To make child care more accessible to welfare recipients, the administration is backing a controversial easing of day-care regulations. The proposed changes would increase the number of children day-care providers could watch. In addition, it would erase requirements that workers at day-care centers possess either a high school diploma or equivalency degree.
Encouraged by the early success of welfare reform in mostly rural areas of the state, Allen recently decided to implement the program throughout Virginia by next October - a speed-up by as much as 18 months for some localities.
Some Democrats question whether Allen is being hasty.
``I think it was imprudent to accelerate the implementation of welfare reform,'' said Norfolk Del. Robinson. ``First, so much of the success of the program has to do with people being able to get to work, and in many parts of the state there is really no such thing as mass transportation.
``Secondly, it remains to be seen if there are enough jobs to meet the tremendous demand that will strike at a time when many of the largest corporations are downsizing.''
Allen acknowledges that the program will cause hardship for some, but is optimistic that the vast majority of welfare recipients will thrive.
``There might by that exception, but your policy shouldn't be based on exceptions,'' he said. ``Your policy should be based on principle.
``It won't be easy for welfare recipients,'' he added. ``We're requiring a change in behavior, a new outlook in life. There's a new discipline now in place. I know it's not easy, but a change has to be made.''
At the close of 1996, Allen's leadership on environmental protection and the direction of his juvenile justice system were criticized by a state watchdog agency.
The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission issued a report criticizing the state for doing little more than warehousing youths at juvenile justice centers. The lack of educational and rehabilitative programs contributed to a 70 percent recidivism rate among juveniles released from centers in 1993, according to the study.
Allen said the report fails to consider many reforms in the juvenile justice system enacted by the General Assembly last winter with his support. Essentially, the changes will result in stiffer sentencing for violent youths and an expansion of alternative punishments - such as boot camps to teach discipline - for nonviolent offenders.
Another JLARC report criticized the administration for coddling industries that pollute water. It noted that state fines against water polluters decreased from $325,000 under Gov. L. Douglas Wilder in 1992 to $4,000 in the fiscal year that ended June 30, 1996. The report said many employees of the Department of Environmental Quality believe the administration is more concerned with protecting businesses than enforcing regulations.
One week after the report, Allen proposed a one-time appropriation of $19 million to help clean the Chesapeake Bay and other waterways.
But the governor denies his initiative was in response to JLARC. In fact, he says he has never read the reports. And he has characterized JLARC - which is overseen by a bipartisan panel of legislators - as little more than a political tool being used by Democrats to embarrass him.
``I haven't wasted my time reading the reports,'' he said. ``. . . What bothers me is that these anti-job, anti-economic development people just grouse about everything.''
Are the comments the first salvo by the governor in another bitter election-year war against Democrats. Aides to Allen say ``no,'' stressing the governor wants to avoid repeating the vitriol of the 1995 campaign.
On the other hand, Allen says he will work hard to elect Republicans to the House of Delegates and to help Attorney General James S. Gilmore III succeed him.
``Jim Gilmore is a great ally,'' he said. ``I see him as carrying out the initiatives we've begun. There won't be any backsliding.''
As for Lt. Gov. Beyer, Allen says: ``He'll never admit he wants to change things, but you have to wonder where he stands.''
Allen said he is hoping for civility during the election year.
``But if I have to defend myself, I will.'' MEMO: The Associated Press contributed to this report.