Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, February 11, 1993 TAG: 9302110070
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By DAVID M. POOLE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
GOP: POLITICS BEHIND BILL
House Majority Leader Richard Cranwell says he was only trying to help a constituent, but a Republican leader says his introduction of legislation benefiting National Business College in Salem was crafted with an eye to his political future.Del. Vance Wilkins, R-Amherst, suggested that Cranwell sponsored the bill to appease National Business College President Frank Longaker, who has been mentioned as a potential challenger to Cranwell.
"Don't you think that Cranwell bought him off for the time being?" said Wilkins, House minority leader.
Cranwell, who has been a member of the House since 1972, denied any political motivations in his attempt to help Longaker's for-profit school.
"Frank is a constituent of mine," the Vinton Democrat said in an interview from his Richmond office. "He came to me, and I tried to help him like I do other constituents."
The bill - now in a state Senate subcommittee after passing the House of Delegates - would allow four-year National Business College graduates to take the state examination for certified public accountants.
Under current regulations, National Business College graduates are barred from the test. The school is accredited, but not by one of the six major accrediting groups approved by the state Accountancy Board.
Longaker said the school is justified in receiving a special waiver because of its strong accounting curriculum. National Business College graduates scored well on the state CPA test in the 1970s, before the state tightened educational requirements, he said.
Longaker said he would "object strenuously" to anyone who suggested politics were involved with his decision to seek help from Cranwell.
The Botetourt County resident said his future political plans never came up during discussions with Cranwell.
In 1991, Longaker ran a well-financed independent bid for the state Senate in which he finished a surprising second in a three-way race won by Sen. Malfourd "Bo" Trumbo, R-Fincastle.
Cranwell is one of the most powerful legislators in Richmond, but Republicans believe he may be vulnerable back home after a disappointing showing in eastern Roanoke County by his Vinton ally, Steve Musselwhite, in last year's 6th District congressional race.
Republicans have tried to persuade Longaker to make a run against Cranwell under the GOP banner. But Longaker says he has no plans to run again for office.
Keywords:
GENERAL ASSEMBLY 1993