Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, December 2, 1993 TAG: 9312020209
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: GREG EDWARDS STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Allen, however, left open the possibility for a gas-tax increase later in his administration.
Until a review of the operations of the Virginia Department of Transportation for waste, inefficiency and misplaced priorities is completed, and it can be demonstrated "beyond a reasonable doubt" that the state's transportation needs are crucial, Allen said he would not propose, endorse or sign a bill to raise taxes for transportation.
Virginia's next governor, speaking to the annual meeting of the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation at the Roanoke Airport Marriott, also repeated a campaign pledge not to raise the state's income or sales taxes while he is governor.
In his first major public address since winning the governor's mansion in the Nov. 2 election, Allen strove to define and set the tone for his incoming administration.
A friendly crowd of Allen's fellow Farm Bureau members - traditionally viewed as one of the state's most conservative interest groups - heard the Republican decry burdensome state regulations, unfunded state mandates on local governments and President Clinton's health-care proposals.
Allen called for more efficiency and innovation in government and a return to basics for public education, saying the state's students "are losing the ability to perform the simplest math problems or compose a coherent sentence."
In earlier interviews, Allen had indicated his uneasiness with a proposed gas-tax increase, but he had not completely ruled one out.
The leader of Virginians for Better Transportation, a business and transportation group pushing for an increase in state revenues to meet an estimated $24 billion in unfunded state transportation needs, said he was sorry to hear Allen was taking a rigid stand against the gas tax.
John Lanford, president of Adams Construction Co. of Roanoke, said he feels the state's transportation needs have been adequately demonstrated. "I don't know if we can change his mind or not, but we'll keep trying," he said.
Allen's transition team is working to establish a "Blue Ribbon Strike Force" to recommend ways to streamline government, eliminate burdensome regulations that inhibit economic and job growth and examine where government services can be turned over to the private sector.
by CNB