Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, February 9, 1992 TAG: 9202070030
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: Joan Munford
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
PUBLIC INPUT AFFECTS GENERAL ASSEMBLY
The House of Delegates must complete work on all legislation originating in the House by Tuesday and then begin work on legislation approved by the Senate. To accomplish this, committees and subcommittees started as early as 7:30 a.m. and continued into the evening hours.Virginia's legislative session is one of the shortest in the nation and although the pace may be hectic, I would not want to see a full-time legislature. I believe that it is important that we remain part-time legislators who work and live in the communities we represent.
I also believe that significantly increasing the length of the session might discourage qualified people from seeking office.
Recently, there have been a number of newspaper articles concerning the proliferation of firearms among our youth, particularly in our schools. I have always been a strong supporter of the right to bear arms and continue to oppose restrictions on firearm ownership. However, a school is no place for guns.
During hearings on this issue, the Richmond City police displayed an incredible number of guns confiscated from Richmond students. Students need to be in a learning environment that is free from threats of violence.
I am pleased to report that the House of Delegates has overwhelmingly approved legislation that would make the possession of a loaded gun on or near school grounds a felony. Several years ago the General Assembly approved legislation to make schools "drug-free." It only makes sense to also make schools "gun-free."
I discussed this issue with many gun owners who felt as I do that a school is no place for guns. Although we have not had a tragedy like those of some urban areas, teachers in the New River Valley have informed me of incidents where guns have been brought to school. In one, a teacher was threatened by a student.
In another education-related matter, I have had several discussions with James Dyke, state secretary of education, and Joseph Spagnolo, superintendent of public instruction , on revising the Standards of Quality for our public schools.
Spagnolo has proposed a complete rewriting of the standards that would dramatically change how our public schools operate. A framework has already been developed that would institute a "common core curriculum" for all students. The objective of these changes would enhance the learning skills of students and give them practical skills combined with the academic skills to make them successful in any career choice.
The current framework was developed through a series of meetings in each region of the state. As these recommendations are refined, additional meetings will be held to solicit input from educators and citizens on how best to improve public education.
I commend Dyke and Spagnolo for their innovative approach and for their willingness to involve the public in addressing the critical needs of our children.
For the last three weeks I have received several calls a day in regard to legislation that would allow landowners to post stream beds that flow through their property. A recent ruling by the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries has stated that stream beds are public property. Every call I received was opposed to this legislation, including several from landowners who have streams on their property.
I also received calls from the Department of Fish and Wildlife at Virginia Tech explaining how this bill would severely limit their research efforts. The efforts of sportsmen throughout the state convinced me and a majority of the members of the House of Delegates that this legislation was not in the best interests of the Commonwealth. The bill was defeated on the floor of the House this week.
I am still receiving responses to the survey published several weeks ago. We have begun to compile the numbers and hope to have the results for you in the near future. On one question, it is very clear that a vast majority of my constituents would prefer elected school boards.
Several pieces of legislation have been introduced to allow localities the option of either electing their boards or retaining the current method. I am co-sponsor of one bill that would allow the voters of a locality to petition for a referendum on which method (elected or appointed) school board members shall be selected.
If the locality favors election, then an election would be held on even numbered years. I am hopeful that we will be successful this year in getting approval for this legislation. It is time that Virginia joined the rest of the nation and allow voters to choose school board members.
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.