ROANOKE TIMES

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

DATE: SUNDAY, January 5, 1992                   TAG: 9201060192
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: D-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: By MALFOURD "BO" TRUMBO
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium


WHAT SHOULD THE '92 GENERAL ASSEMBLY DO?

JUST COMING off a joyous season, and anticipating returning to Richmond as a legislator, I would be remiss not to mention a Christmas present given to me by my sister-in-law.

She provided me with adequate reading material for the times between yelps and screams of my three children.

It's a copy of P. J. O'Rourke's new book, "Parliament of Whores."

In the preface, Mr. O'Rourke states that he believes God is a Republican and Santa Claus is a Democrat. You will have to read the book to understand his thoughts, but I was quite taken back. That's because, from my childhood rearing, I believed both were Virginians. I hope that is the case for the other 139 legislators who will descend on Richmond on Wednesday.

The complexion of Virginia's legislature has changed. The House of Delegates now has 41 Republicans (maybe 42, depending upon the final outcome of one contested voting result). The Virginia Senate will hold 18 beaming Republicans - up from 10 a year ago.

Whether you believe this growth in minority strength derived from a reaction to our dear governor's activity (or inactivity) or from a shift in political philosophy, the numbers remain the same. Two-party politics appears to have made great strides and I hope it will continue to make strides.

But what does this mean, and why is it so particularly important this year?

It means that there is a greater opportunity for the free flow of ideas. A single, dominant force - the General Assembly's Democratic majority - may have to concede that other viewpoints must be heard.

Take, for example, the House and Senate money committees' decision to hold statewide public hearings on the budget. Why was this road show not done in previous years?

As in so many arenas, the importance of more open dialogue is enhanced by timing. As many of us are aware, the winds of economic growth are not blowing our way. The barrel to store the pork is as non-existent as the pork itself.

Therefore, it is hoped that we, as legislators, can focus on the commonwealth's issues, not simply political advantage. The Democrats must loosen the reins or face disruption of the system they claim to so revere. The Republicans must prove that they, too, can govern and not just complain.

As Virginians, state legislators can turn the current economic woes from a negative to a positive. Opportunities abound for establishing true priorities in governmental action. Programs can be restructured, based not only on dollars spent but outcomes derived.

Citizens and businesses must not be hampered by state action or inaction. Reform must be achieved with an eye toward equal opportunity for all citizens.

Our recent elections have proved that our constituents desire that we act responsibly.

For legislators to do less would demean our constituents and the system as a whole. For us to do less would also mean that we act first as politicians and not as Virginians.

Malfourd "Bo" Trumbo, a Republican, is a state senator from Fincastle.



by Archana Subramaniam by CNB