Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, September 8, 1993 TAG: 9309080445
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-4 EDITION: STATE
SOURCE: WARREN FISKE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium
The Family Foundation, an anti-abortion lobbying group with a strong evangelical base, said 19 of 40 senators and 41 of 100 delegates cast what it considers "pro-family" votes at least 60 percent of the time.
Anne Kincaid, a spokeswoman for the group, denied that the report card constitutes a "right-wing litmus test." She said the organization reviewed six years of voting records on issues such as taxes, debt, education, abortion and religious freedom.
"To have a majority of legislators in both houses fail is a slap in the face to the largest segment of the electorate, the middle class," she said.
Among the actions deemed "anti-family" were votes in favor of a $17 million headquarters for the state lottery and legislation to allow social service workers to conduct once-a-year safety inspections of church-run day-care centers.
Walt Barbee, president of the foundation, acknowledged that some people may disagree with the group's definition of pro-family votes. "Anytime you get into subjective areas, there will be those who take counterpositions," he said.
The group's lowest-rated 18 senators and 48 delegates were Democrats. The six top-rated senators and 23 top delegates were Republicans.
Lawmakers - all Republicans - receiving 100-percent ratings were Sens. Mark Earley, Chesapeake; Frederick Quayle, Chesapeake; Charles Hawkins, Chatham; and Dels. Robert McDonnell, Virginia Beach; Frank W. Wagner, Virginia Beach; William Mims, Leesburg; and Robert Marshall, Manassas.
Lawmakers - all Democrats - receiving zero-percent ratings were Sens. L. Louise Lucas, Norfolk; Yvonne Miller, Norfolk; Henry Marsh, Richmond; and Dels. Thomas Moss, Norfolk; William Robinson, Norfolk; Jerrauld Jones, Norfolk; and Ford Quillen, Gate City.
\ FAMILY FOUNDATION RATINGS\ HOW THE ANTI-ABORTION-RIGHTS GROUP SCORED SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA SENATORS AND\ DELEGATES. (100 IS GROUP'S TOP RATING.)\ \ RATING LEGISLATOR PARTY DISTRICT\ SENATORS\ 86 Brandon Bell R Roanoke County\ 88 Virgil Goode D Rocky Mount\ 16 Madison Marye D Shawsville\ 67 Frank Nolen D Augusta\ 13 Jack Reasor D Bluefield\ 17 Elliot Schewel D Lynchburg\ 89 Malfourd "Bo" Trumbo R Fincastle\ 76 William Wampler Jr. R Bristol\ \ DELEGATES\ 93 Steven Agee R Salem\ 75 Ward Armstrong D Martinsville\ 91 Tommy Baker R Radford\ 7 Richard Cranwell D Roanoke County\ 50 Creigh Deeds D Warm Springs\ 33 Willard Finney D Rocky Mount\ 21 Thomas Jackson D Hillsville\ 7 G.C. Jennings D Marion\ 70 Joseph Johnson D Abingdon\ 11 Joan Munford D Blacksburg\ 88 Lacey Putney I Bedford\ 44 Roscoe Reynolds D Martinsville\ 59 Victor Thomas D Roanoke\ 6 Chip Woodrum D Roanoke
by CNB