Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, March 3, 1993 TAG: 9303030037
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: JOAN MUNFORD
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
LEGISLATIVE SUCCESS NOT WITHOUT COST
The 1993 Session of the Virginia General Assembly adjourned Saturday, completing work on 2,700 bills. With such a large amount of legislation, I fear that we did not give careful scrutiny to each measure.\ State employees: I was particularly pleased with our success in providing a much-deserved raise for state employees and teachers. During the 1990-92 recession, state employee salaries fell far behind comparable pay in the private sector. The General Assembly has provided an average increase of 6.9 percent for classified state employees.
All state employees will receive an across-the-board 2 percent raise. In addition, we are funding the merit pay plan, which will provide raises ranging from 2.3 to 6.9 percent. These raises will still leave state employees behind comparable pay in the private sector, but it is a significant step toward closing that gap.
\ Teachers and college faculty: The General Assembly has provided a 3 percent pay increase for public-school teachers. Local school boards will have the option to implement the raise and even add to it. Faculty at Virginia Tech, Radford University and New River Community College will receive raises of 3.5 percent.
\ Other public employees: Employees of local social service offices, constitutional offices and jail deputies will receive pay raises of 3 percent. Support personnel in the school districts (bus drivers, food workers, maintenance personnel, etc.) will receive a 2 percent raise.
\ Virginia Tech: We have restored funding for the Cooperative Extension Service by providing an additional $3.4 million. This was a priority with many of the legislators from the rural areas. We also provided $300,000 to keep the Equine Medical Center in operation, $40,000 for the Housing Research Center, $153,000 for the College of Forestry and $75,000 for the World Trade Alliance, an initiative of the Blue Ridge Economic Development Commission and Virginia Tech.
\ Economic development: Last year, we were able to restore funds for the Department of Economic Development's marketing. Unfortunately, tourism advertising was left bare. We now have agreed to spend an additional $600,000 for tourism advertising, with an emphasis on Western Virginia. We also appropriated $500,000 for business modernization to help existing companies adapt to new technologies and market needs.
Because of your support of the three bond issues on last year's ballot, there was little need for additional funding for capital expenses. The New River Valley will see expenditures of over $50 million for construction as a result. We did receive approval for an additional expenditure of $350,000 for renovations at the University of Virginia's Mountain Lake Research Station in Giles County.
\ Future needs: Although Virginia's economy has improved since 1991-92, we still do not have the growth in revenues that we experienced during the 1980s. Several critical areas remain underfunded and will require difficult decisions by legislators in the next few years.
As our population ages, Medicaid will continue to be the fastest-growing item in the budget. The large number of college-age students seeking education will severely strain resources. We still have not adequately addressed the question of educational disparity for our rural schools, an issue that may cost as much as $500 million. I am pleased with our efforts this year, but have serious concerns about the coming years.
\ Day care: As vice chairman of the Early Childhood and Day Care Commission, I sponsored legislation that will greatly strengthen state regulation of all day-care facilities. Presently, more than 80 percent of Virginia's children are in unregulated day care. My legislation will now require most of these centers to meet health and safety standards and complete a background check on all employees.
\ Employment law: Legislation that would expressly prohibit collective bargaining for public employees was approved by both the House and Senate. The code of Virginia now contains no explicit language prohibiting government employees from engaging in wage and benefit negotiations. I supported this measure and opposed legislation that would have disallowed payroll deductions for dues in employee organizations.
I also opposed a bill referred to as the `Smoker's Rights Bill' that would prohibit employers from basing hiring, firing and promotion decisions on whether a person smokes outside of the workplace. There are already too many laws telling employers who they have to hire or cannot fire. I do not believe that it is right to discriminate against one who smokes, but I also do not believe that smokers should be treated as a special class with unique civil rights. This legislation was approved by the General Assembly.
One of the critical issues for employers is the rising costs of Worker's Compensation insurance. A major reason for the increases is the escalating costs of health care in general. However, because the state regulates this insurance, there are changes that could be made to help reduce some costs.
Legislation was introduced this year that would significantly deregulate worker's compensation with the hope of increasing competition and lowering rates. Supporters of the measure admitted that rates would increase for the next two years.
Most businesses experienced at least a 15 percent increase in worker's comp insurance this past year and I was reluctant to support anything that meant additional costs to employers. The House approved the legislation, but placed an enactment clause that will require approval by the 1994 Session of the General Assembly before this measure becomes law.
I am glad to see the 1993 Session come to an end. We dealt with many contentious issues this year in an atmosphere that was highly charged with partisan politics. I have watched this body grow more partisan during the 12 years that I have served here.
As much as I believe in the two-party system of democracy, I see very little benefit to Virginia from the posturing and political rhetoric that I have observed. I support my party, but I work for the people I represent and for the citizens of the Commonwealth.
Joan Munford, D-Blacksburg, is a veteran member of Virginia House of Delegates. She represents Blacksburg and parts of Montgomery and Giles counties.