Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, January 13, 1995 TAG: 9501130118
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium
Wilder, who wrote the state budget Allen wants to slash by $403million, also indicated he supports the governor's proposed tax cuts and efforts to reduce government spending.
The setting was Wilder's new talk show on Richmond radio station WRVA. Allen was the guest a day after being forced to give his State of the Commonwealth speech from his office instead of from the well of the House of Delegates, with legislators in attendance.
Wilder began the 45-minute lovefest by saying how much he sympathized with Allen's plight.
``The machinations of the legislature relative to, for whatever reason, denying you the opportunity to speak to the people in the accustomed forum is not Virginia's best moment,'' Wilder told the governor.
Allen's speech was moved after the Senate rejected a resolution that would have set procedures for Wednesday night's joint session. Republicans opposed another provision in the resolution to allow Democratic leaders to introduce bills after the deadline - a right only the governor now enjoys.
The Senate then abruptly adjourned for the day, with no legal authority to reassemble to hear Allen's speech.
``It was unfortunate what happened in the Senate, and it was clear it was a lot of carrying on and posturing,'' Allen said. ``That's not the way we need to start things.''
The whole mess was childish, he said. ``I think it's almost like folks in a sandbox.''
Allen told reporters later he felt the incident was ``a slap at me as governor,'' but Wilder told a caller to his show that Allen was unscathed.
``He didn't lose,'' Wilder said. ``He can't lose.''
Wilder also said he believes Senate Republicans who resisted the rules change were right.
``It has never been, in my judgment, that legislation could be introduced willy-nilly by presiding officers because that presiding officer would have to be so subjective in determining what bills to introduce,'' Wilder said.
Allen said the rules change would be a way of avoiding public and legislative scrutiny of a bill.
Wilder said the rules change is not the only issue on which he and Allen agree. He noted that, like Allen, he tried to cut taxes. But he never was able to push through his plan to exempt food and nonprescription drugs from the state sales tax.
``Hopefully, before you leave office you won't allow the legislature to continue to postpone that,'' Wilder said.
Allen's proposed spending cuts have drawn protests from Democratic legislators and citizens alike, but Wilder said the governor should stand firm.
``We can't have people saying to every special interest group that whatever you want you can have,'' Wilder said. ``Whoever comes in to change that will always get criticized, as I did. ... I recognize Governor Allen for what he's trying to do.''
by CNB