Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, February 2, 1992 TAG: 9201310019
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
BUDGET, BILLS KEEP LEGISLATURE WORKING HARD
As the third week of the 1992 Session of the Virginia General Assembly ends, legislators have commenced reviewing the 2,100-plus bills and resolutions that must be acted upon within the next five weeks.In order to accomplish our work here, committees and subcommittees will be meeting at all hours and some weekends. While this makes for a very hectic life for legislators, it does allow us to finish within the 60 days allowed for the session.
I have received a large number of letters and phone calls regarding funding for Virginia Tech, in particular the funding for the Extension Division.
Gov. Douglas Wilder has proposed cutting $12.2 million from extension and eliminating 112 jobs. In response, I am co-sponsoring a budget amendment to restore the $12.2 million and to prevent the loss of these jobs.
The Cooperative Extension Service has developed programs essential to the economic development and general well-being of the people of both rural and urban Virginia. These programs include the School-Business Partnership Development that has served over 90 school divisions and the Community Leadership Development that has helped more than 3,700 community groups.
Legislators from rural areas throughout Southside and Western Virginia have been meeting frequently to look at means of addressing the educational disparity question. It is very apparent that students in urban and rural school districts receive a significantly different education.
The ability of urban areas to provide large amounts of local dollars to the school system enables them to offer students a greater variety of courses than our rural schools can provide. This prevents rural students from competing suc- cessfully for admission to many of our colleges and universities.
It is imperative that all Virginia students receive the best education that we can provide if we are to ensure our future economic prosperity.
To address this issue, I have introduced legislation that would use one-half of the proceeds from the lottery to help rural school divisions. One-fourth of the proceeds would be returned to the localities and the remaining funds would be distributed to institutions of higher education.
I believe that there will be other initiatives offered to address the disparity question because of the recognition of the importance of this issue. I am very hopeful that the General Assembly will take action this year to begin providing an education that affords equal opportunities for all Virginia students.
Last year, Montgomery County was one of two sites under consideration by Blue Cross-Blue Shield for a processing facility that would have employed at least 600 people. The final site chosen was in West Virginia because of a more attractive financing package.
To help Virginia become more competitive in the recruiting of new industries, I have introduced legislation to establish a "Deal Closing Fund." This legislation would allow the governor and the Department of Economic Development to offer additional incentives in the final stages of negotiations with a prospective industry.
Our Virginia Constitution does not allow us to offer the tax breaks to new industries common in many states. Therefore, the creation of this "Deal Closing Fund" will give Virginia additional leverage to attract new jobs to the state. The governor has included money in the budget for this project.
There is continuing debate and discussion on the current budget situation. Some of the cuts proposed by the governor will shift state funding to the localities. While such cuts help balance the budget, they do not save any taxpayer money in that the localities will need to provide additional funds.
One of these proposed cuts is in the state aid to local libraries. State funds are used by localities primarily to purchase new books and materials. This proposal would significantly affect the libraries in Giles and Montgomery counties.
The governor's proposals to consolidate and reduce state government is laudable. However, if these costs are just passed on to the localities, then costs have not been reduced. Taxpayers will continue to fund these services through their local taxes. I do not believe that the General Assembly should balance the budget by creating additional burdens for localities.
I have received many letters and calls from the citizens of Giles and Montgomery counties concerning issues facing the General Assembly. I rely on your guidance and wisdom to assist me in representing you in the House of Delegates.