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

DATE: SATURDAY, January 14, 1995                   TAG: 9501170050
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-3   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: THOMAS G. BAKER JR.
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

NOT ORDINARY DAY FOR LONG

The 1995 session of the House of Delegates was called to order at noon Wednesday. What began as an ordinary first day soon turned into a procedural fight with the Senate. After rejecting the procedural resolution providing for a joint session to receive the governor's remarks at 7 p.m., the Senate adjourned for the day. This resulted in no legislatively approved joint session being possible. The governor decided to address the citizens of the commonwealth from his office rather than addressing only the House of Delegates which was still in session to receive him.

Work began on carry-over legislation from the 1994 session on Thursday. The House gave preliminary approval to House Bill 643, sponsored by Del. James Dillard, R-Fairfax, which will allow up to a $50 per year tax credit against state income tax liability for individuals who contribute to political candidates. Several states have enacted this as a measure to increase participation in the electoral process by more citizens. Final approval was anticipated to come on Friday. The House also gave preliminary approval to the "ignition interlock" bill. This legislation provides that individuals who are convicted of driving under the influence may be required by the court to have a breath sensor ignition control on their automobile. With this mechanism, before you can start your vehicle, you must first blow a breath sample into the sensor. If the blood alcohol content is above .025, the vehicle will not start.

The House also acted on my House Bill 987. I introduced this measure to save taxpayer dollars by eliminating needless printing and distribution of thousands of expensive and lengthy annual reports by certain state agencies and colleges. I was pleased to see the House give preliminary approval to this bill without a dissenting vote. Final approval should come on Friday.

It is, of course, anticipated that the budget will be the driving force for the bulk of this year's session. The governor's proposals for personal tax cuts, elimination of the business, professional and occupational license tax time over the next five weeks. Members are organizing with others to help restore funding to many areas cut in the governor's proposed budget.

Other important matters that I anticipate to be filed in the coming days include river boat and casino gambling bills, a measure to authorize a referendum to raise the sales tax by one-half cent, a school funding disparity relief bill and measures proposed by the governor to begin a system of charter schools in Virginia and to provide for a system of initiative and referendum wherein citizens could potentially have more involvement in government.

I appreciate the excellent response I have received from you in returning the 1995 legislative questionnaire. Your input is very important to me here in Richmond and I greatly appreciate your help. I will report the results of the survey in a couple of weeks.

Please remember that the General Assembly toll-free number for messages is 1-800-889-0229.

I can be reached at (804) 786-6605 and by mail at Room 446, General Assembly Building, Capitol Square, P.O. Box 406, Richmond, Va. 23203, or through my Dublin office at 674-4081 and P.O. Box 1847, Dublin, Va. 24084.

Keywords:
GENERAL ASSEMBLY

by CNB