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

DATE: THURSDAY, January 6, 1994                   TAG: 9401060166
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: RENEE SHAFER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

TERM-LIMIT BILLS ASSEMBLY-BOUND

A Lynchburg state legislator on Wednesday announced plans to introduce bills that would give Virginians a chance to vote on limiting the terms of state legislators and members of Congress.

Del. Steve Newman, R-Lynchburg, held a news conference in Roanoke to begin drumming up support for his proposed legislation. He plans to present his bills to the General Assembly next week.

Virginia law does not allow referendums without the assembly's approval. Newman's bill would limit U.S. senators to two six-year terms and representatives to six two-year terms. Newman also announced a separate bill that would limit state delegates to six terms of two years and state senators to three four-year terms.

"We have a growing swell of interest in this type of legislation," Newman said. "I think the General Assembly will be more receptive this year than it has ever been."

Legislation on term limits requires an amendment to the state constitution. Since amendments must be approved twice - by two different General Assemblies - the referendum could not get to the ballot until 1996, after the next House of Delegates race in 1995.

Bob Holsworth, a political analyst at Virginia Commonwealth University, said the proposed legislation has little chance of making it to the ballot. "If it manages to get to the floor, then it might have a chance, but I think it will be killed in committee."

Rep. Bob Goodlatte, R-Roanoke, who ran in 1992 as a supporter of term limits and who asked Newman to sponsor the bill, was on hand Wednesday to show his support. Describing term limits as a nonpartisan issue in favor of good government, Goodlatte said that he and Newman plan to seek support from the Democratic majority in both houses of the assembly for the legislation.

Fourteen states have used referendums to pass term limits on their congressional delegations. According to Goodlatte, the margin of passage is usually more than 65 percent. Holsworth cited frustration and widespread public perception of entrenched and out-of-touch politicians as reasons for the strong public support.

Keywords:
GENERAL ASSEMBLY 1994

by CNB