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

DATE: SATURDAY, March 28, 1992                   TAG: 9203280292
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: A-4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: RICHMOND                                LENGTH: Short

WILDER LEERY OF GAS TAXES FOR BOND BILL

Gov. Douglas Wilder said Friday he has "grave reservations" about a $443 million transportation bond bill tied to voter approval of a gasoline tax increase.

"The bill that is presently before me needs altering," Wilder said at a news conference. He did not say whether he would veto it or suggest amendments to the General Assembly.

Wilder's comments were his strongest signal yet that he will reject the bond bill passed during the final days of the assembly at the urging of legislators from traffic-snarled Northern Virginia.

"I'm very concerned as to whether the public will vote for a tax increase to pay for roads," Wilder said. "I have grave reservations about a gasoline tax."

If voters rejected the 2-cent-a-gallon gas tax increase in a November referendum, he said, "What have you done for transportation? Absolutely nothing."

Wilder said he was most concerned about paying for the bonds with a tax increase and the "pork barrel" projects that were added to the bill.

He said the state already has allocated $1.5 billion for road projects since 1990 and plans to spent another $4.7 billion by 1998.

Wilder has until April 6 to sign, veto or suggest amendments to legislation passed by the 1992 assembly. Legislators return to Richmond for a veto override session April 15.

by CNB