Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, January 17, 1995 TAG: 9501170151
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DAVID M. POOLE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The House of Delegates is one of the few places where people utter words such as ``interlineation'' in everyday conversation.
Del. Morgan Griffith, R-Salem, tossed out the tongue-twister Friday while defending his bill that allows people to amend their wills to dispose of personal belongings without having to pay a lawyer.
Griffith, a lawyer, later explained that ``interlineation'' is a fancy way of saying ``between the lines'' of a document.
``It's one of those legal terms, I guess,'' he said. ``Lawyers use it all the time.''
Which might explain why, when Griffith uttered it in the lawyer-filled House chamber, the only people confused by it were reporters.
Shuler proposes own tax-break plan
Del. Jim Shuler, D-Blacksburg, thinks he has found a way to give a tax break to small businesses without busting the budgets of local governments.
Shuler says the problem with the windfall that Gov. George Allen wants to give businesses is that it's not a tax cut, but a ``tax shift.''
Under the Allen plan, localities would lose one of their largest sources of local revenue: a tax on the gross receipts of businesses and professions. The Allen administration would replace the money with state revenue.
Critics note that the state subsidy would end after five years, leaving cities, counties and towns with gaping holes in their budgets.
As an alternative, Shuler would allow localities to keep the tax, but would exempt new, small businesses for three years.
``My thinking is to give independent, start-up businesses a chance to get on their feet,'' he said.
Hair's to your health
House Majority Leader Richard Cranwell, D-Roanoke County, reacted in mock confusion Wednesday when he was approached on the House floor by Del. Andy Guest, R-Front Royal.
``I didn't recognize you with your hair on,'' Cranwell cracked.
Last year, Guest was bald because of chemotherapy and a successful bone marrow transplant. His health - and hair - have returned this year.
Let your legislators know
Oops. In Monday's edition, we listed the wrong number for the General Assembly's toll-free hot line where constituents can leave messages for any legislator.
The correct number is: (800) 889-0229. It's staffed weekdays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Issues watch
The General Assembly handles thousands of bills. Which ones are you most interested in following? Let us know:
Phone: 981-3119, or (800)346-1234, Ext. 119.
Fax: 981-3346.
E-mail: dyanceyinfi.net
Keywords:
GENERAL ASSEMBLY
by CNB