Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, January 18, 1994 TAG: 9401180209
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: WARREN FISKE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium
"I come here this evening, not to promote a personal agenda, but on a mission for the people of Virginia - to present their petition for honest change," Allen said in his first address to the General Assembly.
"Today, we must direct every ounce of our energy and every available resource to the most pressing needs of the people of Virginia - needs I summarize in two words: safety and empowerment," said Allen, who Saturday became the first Republican Virginia governor inaugurated in 16 years.
Following through on campaign promises, Allen pledged to make anti-crime measures the focus of his administration. "Our task is clear," he said in the 45-minute speech that was repeatedly interrupted by applause. "We must halt the reign of terror by violent career criminals and make Virginians safe again."
Allen reaffirmed plans for a special session of the legislature this spring to consider abolishing parole for violent offenders.
In the meantime, he said he wants emergency legislation to impose mandatory life sentences on criminals convicted of third-time violent offenses. As part of the package, Allen said he will seek laws that will permit juries to be told of a defendant's past record before recommending sentences.
Allen also called for a new law that would require a two-thirds vote by both houses of the General Assembly to approve increases in sales or income taxes. Now, only majority votes are needed.
"Together with our existing requirement for a balanced budget, this measure will protect future Virginians from unnecessary and burdensome taxing and spending," he said.
As expected, the governor made no calls for new taxes and promised to veto any initiatives that are not paid for from current state resources.
Pledging to "empower the people rather than the bureaucracy," Allen urged a constitutional amendment for initiative and referendum. The sweeping change would allow citizens, through petition drives, to bypass the legislature and force proposed laws onto the ballot.
The best known use of initiative and referendum is in California, where voters have forced dramatic changes in the tax structure and a variety of laws.
"Some may believe it's dangerous to place power in the hands of the people," Allen said. ". . . I trust Virginians to exercise wisely the power of initiative and referendum, and I urge you to join me in taking this bold and decisive step to put people back in charge."
Allen also urged the legislators to bolster public confidence in their work by passing a variety of ethics reforms. He said he wants additional reporting requirements for lobbyists, restrictions on lobbying by former government officials, a ban on the acceptance of honorariums by state employees and disclosure requirements for public officials who engage in real estate transactions with the state.
Hoping to end a longtime deadlock on abortion restrictions, Allen said he will submit legislation to require that parents be notified before doctors terminate the pregnancies of unmarried teenagers. He said the bill will provide an exemption for girls who come from abusive homes. The General Assembly approved similar legislation in 1992, only to see it vetoed by former Gov. Douglas Wilder.
"There are strong feelings on both sides of the abortion issue," Allen said. "But when it comes to parental notification, the people of Virginia overwhelmingly agree."
Hoping to get control of rising college costs, Allen said he will seek to cap tuition increases for Virginia students at state universities at less than the rate of inflation. In the past four years, tuitions at those schools rose by an average of more than 40 percent.
The governor also put the clamps on a proposed $18 million lottery headquarters in downtown Richmond, which he attacked as a symbol of wasteful state spending during his campaign.
Allen said justification for the building "no longer exists. I will not authorize the issuance of bonds for this project and I request that you delete the debt service payments from the budget."
The new governor said he is exploring the possible settlement of a longstanding suit federal retirees filed against the state for refunds of $470 million in income taxes that were illegally assessed in the 1980s.
Allen urged lawmakers to establish a reserve fund for the retirees by looking for savings in the state budget. "When you have a choice to make, choose to save," he told them.
He said he would not offer education reform proposals until next year. Allen also said he would establish commissions to study taxation, regulations, welfare reform and military base closings with the goal of offering legislation next year.
Keywords:
GENERAL ASSEMBLY 1994
by CNB