Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, November 20, 1994 TAG: 9411210037
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: WARREN FISKE AND MARGARET EDDS STAFF WRITERS
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Long
After 11 months of trying to create the kind of conservative change that most of the governors-elect campaigned on, Allen has shown that popular ideas often have hidden costs and that simplifying the role of state government can be enormously complex.
Allen and his friends have offered hundreds of ideas for making government respond better to everyday concerns of citizens. But the governor has focused on one major initiative: abolishing parole. And while he succeeded in getting the concept past the legislature, it's still unclear how - or whether - the $2 billion plan will get funded.
In Virginia, Democrats and Republicans both say it's too early to judge Allen's success in reinventing government. Most of his hoped-for reforms are still on the drawing table, they note.
"Most of the promise and peril is still to be realized. ... He has so many commissions studying so many things," says Lt. Gov. Donald Beyer, a Democrat who would like to replace Allen in 1998.
Even so, Allen is expected to take a leadership role as the GOP governors, now 30 strong, gather in Williamsburg today for a three-day strategy session. Rep. Newt Gingrich, R-Ga., and Sen. Robert Dole, R-Kan. - the men who will take over the leadership of Congress in January - are to address the group Tuesday.
With Republicans controlling unaccustomed majorities in the governors' mansions and both houses of Congress, Allen will urge his colleagues to sign on to a growing conservative movement to keep Washington out of the affairs of state governments.
Key to the plan, called "reinvigorating federalism," is a constitutional amendment that would make it easier for states to change the U.S. Constitution and empower them to repeal federal laws they dislike.
Constitutional amendments can be initiated either by Congress or in a constitutional convention requested by the states and called by Congress. Proposed amendments must be ratified by at least 38 states.
The proposal backed by Allen would give states a way to push amendments without first seeking the cooperation of Congress: If at least 38 states approve a proposed amendment, and Congress doesn't override them by a two-thirds vote, the state-initiated action would become part of the Constitution.
A second part to the proposal would give states the power to veto federal legislation or regulations deemed "objectionable" by at least 38 state legislatures. The states' veto could be overridden by a two-thirds vote of Congress.
The aim, Allen said, is to prevent the federal government from imposing "one-size-fits-all requirements" that don't respect the problems of individual states.
"Today, there is virtually no area of public responsibility or private activity in which federal authorities are not free to override the will of the people in the states through federal rules, rulings and enactments. Our freedoms are not safe when they exist only at the sufferance of federal legislators, federal courts and federal bureaucrats," he said in an interview.
"We just want to be able to control our own destinies ... to stop this incessant usurpation of our rights," Allen said.
\ The governor has emphasized decentralization of state government, as well.
He's appointed hundreds of citizens to a strike force on government reform and to commissions on public schools, welfare reform and economic development. Ideas have included turning state agencies such as the Virginia Lottery and the Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission over to private enterprise, abolishing 16,000 state jobs, giving tax credits to parents who send their children to private schools and re-evaluating all existing state regulations on businesses.
"I think Governor Allen has been on the cutting edge because he constantly believes that government belongs to the people," said Del. Randy Forbes, R-Chesapeake. "... Most of our citizens are tired of government saying, `We can't do this.' They're looking for elected officials who say, `We can do this,' and roll up their sleeves and try to find creative solutions."
Democrats question the substance of Allen's agenda. They liken it to national Republican claims that the GOP can lower taxes, raise defense spending and balance the budget simultaneously.
"When reality meets rhetoric, things change," said Democratic Majority Leader Richard Cranwell of Roanoke County.
Take the proposal to cut out 16,000 state jobs, for instance. "I'd be surprised in a state as well-run as Virginia if you can cut 16,000 employees without significantly impacting services to people," Cranwell said.
"It's easier to write a 'Contract on America' than to make it happen," said Beyer, referring to the congressional Republicans' plan for reforming government.
Despite the plethora of ideas before Allen, Beyer applauds the governor for keeping his primary focus this year on parole. But Beyer cautioned that the major test will be keeping that discipline as the array of task forces start issuing reports on various topics.
Allen says he's aware of that imperative. His advice to the new GOP governors, he said, is to "fight for the rights of the people in their own states," keep campaign promises and construct a clear timetable about what they want to accomplish in each year of their terms.
Allen's task will be made easier if the GOP takes over the Virginia legislature next year. Republicans hold 47 of 100 seats in the House of Delegates and 18 of 40 seats in the state Senate.
Republican lawmakers have said they hope to turn the election into a referendum on Allen's populist plans to reform state government. But Democrats predict that the passion of voters to change the direction of Congress will not carry over to the General Assembly next year. Unlike the national party, state Democrats can boast of "a strong record of not raising taxes," said Paul Goldman, a former state Democratic chairman.
During a recent interview, Allen was asked just how much change he hopes to impose on state government by the time his term expires in 1998.
"I guess you could call it dramatic, revolutionary," he said. "A second revolution."
by CNB