Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, January 26, 1992 TAG: 9201240016
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-8 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: Joan Munford
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
MUNFORD PROPOSES LAWS TO HELP ECONOMY
As chairwoman of the Blue Ridge Region Economic Development Commission, I will be sponsoring or co-sponsoring a number of measures that resulted from the recommendations made by the commission.Briefly, the recommendations call for:
Establishing an Education and Training Council.
Creating a pilot project for state parks to attract tourists.
Conducting a study of the Virginia Welcome Centers.
Establishing a Blue Ridge Economic Development Council with a revolving loan fund.
Creating a computerized network to link businesses, industries and local governments.
Establishing deadlines for agency review of environmental permits and developing a uniform application.
Establishing a marketing fund to promote existing industrial sites.
Providing funds for enhancing School-Business Partnerships.
Developing a pilot export program.
Requesting expansion of Virginia Tech research initiatives for the Blue Ridge Region.
Requesting the Department of Transportation to give priority to projects involving U.S. 460, 220, 29, 501 and 60.
In addition to these recommendations, I am also sponsoring legislation to review the Virginia Procurement Act and ensure that it is fair to private businesses.
I have introduced legislation to allow after-school day care in Giles County schools, similar to the current programs available in Montgomery County.
Last year, the General Assembly approved legislation that inadvertently excluded warning lights on school buses. At that time, Montgomery County had begun a pilot program to test the safety of these lights in foggy conditions. Therefore, I am introducing legislation that will allow the flashing (strobe) lights on school buses.
I have met with the administration at Virginia Tech to discuss the proposed budget cuts at the university. I wrote to the governor in December requesting that he not reduce funding for the state agencies in the New River Valley, thereby creating further harm to our weakened economy.
I am currently working with the leadership of the House of Delegates to minimize any additional cuts at Virginia Tech, particularly in the extension division. The governor has proposed eliminating 116 positions in extension. The extension division provides a number of valuable services to communities, businesses and families throughout the commonwealth.
On a positive note, I am pleased to report that the governor has included $5 million in the budget to establish a "Deal Closing" fund. Had this fund been in existence a year ago, Blue Cross-Blue Shield might have located in Montgomery County, providing 600 new jobs.
The Montgomery Regional Economic Development Alliance spearheaded the effort to establish this fund. Congratulations to Don Moore, Jack Lewis and Franklyn Moreno for their diligent work on behalf of this vital issue.
Joan Munford, a Blacksburg Democrat, represents most of Montgomery County and part of Giles County in the General Assembly. To contact her, call (804) 786-8425 or write to P.O. Box 406, Richmond, Va. 23203.
Keywords:
GENERAL ASSEMBLY