ROANOKE TIMES 

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

DATE: SATURDAY, January 14, 1995                   TAG: 9501170049
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-3   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: JIM SHULER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

`SHORT' SESSION TO BE BUSY

As I returned to Richmond, it is with pride and gratitude that I am your representative in the General Assembly. This is the "short" 45-day session; however, I anticipate this to be one of the busiest in recent history.

Virginia historically has been a fiscally conservative state. Traditionally, we pay as we go, and by law, we balance our budget annually. Throughout this session, we will be faced with the hard decision of providing funding for a major initiative, prison construction, which is projected to cost more than $2 billion. No doubt we all desire safe communities and a reduction in crime. The question of achieving this revolves around how much of our budget we are willing to designate to prison construction and yet maintain other essential services, including education.

I will use my influence to preserve and enhance funding for educational efforts. I do not believe that funding for charter schools or tuition tax credits will improve our public education system. We should not endanger our children's future by incorporating any new institutions, such as charter schools, which will dilute funding for existing school districts. Instead, we need to continue to improve our present educational efforts by working within the system.

We are being asked to consider a reduction to higher education this year, which I believe is a mistake. It has taken years for Virginia to build one of the finest systems of higher education in the nation. We could lose this distinction very quickly if we continue on a downward spiral going below Mississippi, which ranks 48th in support for higher education. I will work to restore public funds for agriculture, forestry, Extension and research at Virginia Tech. I have no doubt that Virginia Tech is constantly working to improve its stewardship of public funds, being dedicated to excellence in teaching, research, and public services.

I will be involved in solutions to welfare reform while being continually aware of the human aspect of moving people from welfare to the work place. In this regard, we must be supportive of the many community service agencies who are on the front-line, providing needed assistance for the less fortunate.

Your advice, letters and telephone calls are an integral part of my decision-making here in Richmond. Please feel free to write, fax or call my office.

Del. Jim Shuler, House of Delegates, P.O. Box 406, Richmond, Va. 23203, Phone (804) 786-8425, Fax (804) 786-6310.

Keywords:
GENERAL ASSEMBLY 1995 


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