Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, January 13, 1994 TAG: 9401130198
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A-8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium
The Senate and House took little action on bills in advance of Gov. Douglas Wilder's final State of the Commonwealth address.
But the House, voting largely along party lines, voted 56-43 against proposals by Del. Robert Marshall, R-Manassas, to increase the number of Republicans on key committees.
Marshall argued that the GOP should be represented proportionally in committee assignments made by the House speaker. He also suggested that every congressional district be represented on each committee.
But House Majority Leader Richard Cranwell, D-Roanoke County, said the proposals would amount to "handcuffing the speaker."
Although Republicans hold 47 of the 100 House seats, Democrats far outnumber the GOP on the budget and tax-writing committees.
Del. Thomas Moss, D-Norfolk, who was sworn in for a second two-year term as speaker, promised to work with fellow delegates "regardless of the party affiliation."
Del. Andy Guest, R-Front Royal, was sworn in for his 12th term from his hospital bed at the Medical College of Virginia, where he is undergoing cancer treatment. Guest, 54, will miss the first month of the session but is monitoring floor action through a speaker in his hospital room, said Lars Wiechmann, his legislative aide.
In an unusual move, Moss said Guest would be allowed to vote on bills that reach the floor while he is hospitalized.
Keywords:
GENERAL ASSEMBLY 1994
by CNB