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

DATE: TUESDAY, February 12, 1991                   TAG: 9102120231
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV2   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: Joan Munford
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

STATE WORKERS CAN'T BEAR SO MUCH OF BURDEN

State employees represent 18 percent of my district. The figure rises substantially when we count spouses and children. Virginia Tech is the largest employer in my district and is also the economic stabilizer for all of Southwest Virginia. A proposed furlough for state employees hits the New River squarely and severely.

I introduced an amendment that would have abolished the eight-day furlough proposed in the House bill and offset the revenue shortfall with the reserve fund.

We have all said that we would not raise taxes this year, but the truth of this budget is it would raise taxes - for only one group. I could not in good conscience vote for something that I believe hurts my constituents individually and collectively.

It is clear that I proposed this amendment on behalf of my constituents, but state employees work all across the commonwealth. We have consistently asked our state employees to shoulder the burden of every financial crisis. It's time we find other alternatives.

Although the house defeated my amendment, I will continue to fight to keep the furloughs out of the final budget bill.

Each year I distribute a questionnaire seeking my constituents' views. This year, I've tallied 782 responses on questions about the state budget, the bottle bill and other issues.

\ 1. If you had to make budget cuts, which would you do first?

One-week furlough for state employees (16 percent)

A 1/2-percent increase in the sales tax (16 percent)

Further across-the-board equal cuts for all agencies (54 percent)

Proportional cuts with the majority of cuts coming from which agency (11 percent)

(The Senate's proposed budget includes across-the-board cuts.)

\ To offset personnel costs do you favor a one-time early retirement plan for state employees?

Yes (78 percent)

No (16 percent)

(This bill passed the House and is now before the Senate.)

\ Do you favor a deposit being placed on bottles and cans?

Yes (80 percent)

No (18 percent)

(This bill was killed in the Senate.)

\ Do you favor easing a bit of the burden on localities by softening the environmental restrictions outlined in the Chesapeake Bay Act?

Yes (16 percent)

No (72 percent)

\ Do you favor Virginia Military Institute opening its doors to women?

Yes (49 percent)

No (46 percent)

(This bill was rejected by the Senate. The issue is currently being litigated in the courts.)

\ Are you in favor of the state's opening up the option for off-track betting?

Yes (35 percent)

No (58 percent)

(This measure passed the House and now awaits Senate action.)

\ Do you favor any change in the abortion laws in Virginia?

Yes (25 percent)

No (63 percent)

(No bills to change abortion laws have reached the full Senate or House.)

\ Do you favor limiting the terms of office for state officials?

Yes (63 percent)

No (20 percent)

(There is no bill addressing this issue.)

\ Do you favor allowing localities to have the option for direct election of school board members?

Yes (88 percent)

No (9 percent)

(A bill restricted to specific localities was passed to serve as a state model for elected school board members. The legislature will evaluate the program next year.)

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