Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, April 6, 1993 TAG: 9304060321
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BY BONNIE V. WINSTON STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium
MORGUE MONEY IN BILL
Money for construction of a state forensics laboratory and morgue in Roanoke County will be included in a bond bill Gov. Douglas Wilder is expected to offer during the General Assembly's annual veto session on Wednesday.The legislators also will have a chance to override Wilder's veto of a "smokers' rights" bill sponsored by state Sen. Virgil Goode, D-Rocky Mount.
Wilder's bond bill is expected to include $1 million to complete funding for the 52,000-square-foot forensics lab and morgue, which is to be built behind Roanoke County's Public Safety Center on Peters Creek Road.
More than $9 million was authorized for the lab last year, said Ray Patterson, director of the state's General Services Department. But preliminary drawings show another $1 million will be needed.
The forensics lab and medical examiner's offices now are housed in cramped quarters at Community Hospital of the Roanoke Valley.
The offices provide scientific analysis and testimony in court about evidence gathered by police at crime scenes. They give expert opinions on evidence such as firearms, fingerprints, body fluids, drugs and cause of death.
Goode's "smokers' rights" bill would have prevented employers from firing or refusing to hire workers who smoke off the job.
Goode expressed doubt Monday that he has the two-thirds majority needed in the Senate and the House to override Wilder's veto.
But tobacco industry lobbyist Anthony Troy was more coy.
"We're working on a couple of matters," said Troy. ". . . They say it ain't over 'til it's over."
Wilder said he vetoed the bill because it would set up a "special class" of citizens whose rights to smoke would infringe upon others.
Besides money for the forensics lab, the bond bill Wilder is expected to offer Wednesday will include money for a $20 million headquarters for the state Lottery Department and for two men's prisons and a women's prison that state officials say are desperately needed.
The lottery building and prisons were part of a Virginia Public Building Authority bond package that was scuttled on the final day of this year's legislative session. Senators and delegates disagreed on whether the lottery needs a new headquarters and were not convinced of Richmond's commitment to pay for some of the surrounding improvements.
But state officials said Monday that Richmond City Council's 8-0 vote last week to provide up to $1 million in the project should assuage some fears.
Sen. Hunter Andrews, D-Hampton, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, said Monday he is reserving judgment on Wilder's bond bill until he hears its details.
While he wouldn't speculate on the bill's chances for passage, Sen. Robert Russell, R-Chesterfield, who had been one of its chief opponents in the Senate, said he was heartened by Richmond's commitment to the lottery project. Republicans made a campaign issue out of a lottery building proposal in 1989.
The lottery would occupy more than half of the 200,000-square-foot building. Several other state agencies, now leasing space in Richmond, would use the rest.
Of the 1,013 bills passed during the 1993 assembly session, Wilder signed 890, amended 110 and vetoed 13, some because of duplications.