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

DATE: THURSDAY, January 12, 1995                   TAG: 9501120085
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A4   EDITION: STATE 
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: RICHMOND                                 LENGTH: Short

BEYER WARNS OF ALLEN'S CUTS

Lt. Gov. Don Beyer said Wednesday that the tide of progress in Virginia would turn if the General Assembly approves Gov. George Allen's proposed tax and spending cuts.

Beyer gave the Democratic response to the Republican governor's first State of the Commonwealth address. He defended state services and employees in the wake of Allen's proposal to slash programs for the poor and the mentally ill and cut the state work force.

``It makes good sense to reinvent government,'' Beyer said. ``But no one has called for us to blow up the basic trust between citizen and government.''

Beyer cautioned against cutting spending for short-term gain.

``We must be lean, but not cruel - smart, and not reckless,'' he said.

But Beyer opened the door to compromise, saying he wasn't absolutely opposed to tax cuts if the state can afford them.

Keywords:
GENERAL ASSEMBLY 1995

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