Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, January 15, 1994 TAG: 9401150248
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: BONNIE V. WINSTON STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium
"We've been shortchanged again," fumed Del. Vince Callahan, R-McLean. "We are 47 percent of this body and only have 23 percent of the slots on the Appropriations Committee. That's unfair."
The appointments, made by House Speaker Thomas Moss, D-Norfolk, divide the 100 members among 20 standing committees. However, with Democrats holding a slim 52-member majority in the 100-member House - there's 1 independent - Moss did not give majorities to the GOP on any committees.
While several committees now will have 12 Democrats and 10 Republicans, Democrats retained more comfortable majorities on the powerful committees that deal with taxes and spending.
Moss, who was under pressure from black lawmakers and those from Southwest Virginia for representation on the money committee, appointed five Republicans - one more than last year - 16 Democrats and the House's only independent to the Appropriations Committee. Among the Democrats are three black lawmakers and two from Southwest Virginia.
"Another outstanding job by your speaker," Moss said.
"I expected it, but it doesn't mean I like it," said House Minority Leader Vance Wilkins, R-Amherst. "Ninety percent of the action happens in the committees we didn't get close on."
On opening day of the assembly, Republicans tried unsuccessfully to win a change in House rules to get committee assignments in proportion to the party representation in the chamber.
"We suggested that if they give us proportional representation now, we would forget the past 50 years of unfair treatment when we win the majority in the House," Wilkins said.
Keywords:
GENERAL ASSEMBLY 1994
Memo: shorter version ran in the Metro edition.