
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, March 8, 1994                   TAG: 9403080155
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: RICHMOND                                LENGTH: Short

SENATE OKS FAST TRUCKS, PUPIL PRAYER

The state Senate on Monday approved two bills that clear the way for student-initiated prayer in public schools. It also agreed to raise the speed limits for heavy trucks.

The Senate voted 34-6 for a bill that would allow student-initiated prayer and 30-9 for a measure that would require the state Board of Education to set up guidelines for the prayer.

Gov. George Allen supports the school prayer bills but is waiting for advice from the attorney general's office on whether they are constitutional.

Allen also is reviewing a bill raising speed limits for heavy trucks from 55 mph to 65 mph on rural interstates. The Senate voted 27-13 to pass the bill, which already had cleared the House.

In other action:

The House voted 93-5 to set up a pilot program offering incentives to get people off welfare and into jobs. A similar bill has been passed in the Senate.

The House Courts of Justice Committee unanimously endorsed a bill imposing tougher punishment for abuse or neglect of incapacitated adults.

A commission headed by Lt. Gov. Don Beyer proposed the bill after two cases, in Lynchburg and Bedford County, in which prosecutors were able to seek only misdemeanor convictions.

The Senate Courts of Justice Committee endorsed a bill imposing a mandatory six-month jail term for hate crimes.

Keywords:
G.A. 1994

by CNB