Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, January 28, 1995 TAG: 9501300027
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: JIM SHULER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
I am glad to report an ongoing effort to restore the state's budget to the level the General Assembly approved last year. For the first time in history, the House Appropriations Committee and Senate Finance Committee will meet jointly to develop a budget proposal to reinstate many of Gov. Allen's proposed reductions, which would have devastated education and community services.
I have co-sponsored several budget amendments, including ones to restore resources for public education, early intervention and prevention programs, community services, libraries and the arts, all needed programs for Southwest Virginia. I have received literally hundreds of telephone calls, letters, and visits urging me to speak up for these issues.
I have also been the chief patron of a number of budget amendments for Virginia Tech. The first would restore more than $14 million to Cooperative Extension and the Agricultural Experiment Stations, including funding for forestry and agricultural research. This funding is critical to the economy of the state as well as the New River Valley. Agriculture employs 20 percent of our state work force and accounts for over 22 percent of our state product.
Another amendment would restore $300,00 to Tech's Commonwealth Center for Interdisciplinary Mathematics. Math is basic to all aspects of research. These funds would allow the center to continue and expand programs in undergraduate research and public education, as well as cooperative ventures with local industry.
I have submitted an amendment for $1.5 million for the university's information and communication science and technology program. Virginia Tech, a recognized global leader in wireless communication and fiber optics, will use this money to develop new approaches in teaching and learning. Our children will benefit from the many good jobs coming on-line in the field of telecommunications.
I have filed an amendment for $75,000 to continue the Water Resources Research Center. Without this, we will be the only state without a center to protect our water resources.
Another amendment for $583,000 would allow Virginia Tech to bring itself into compliance with environmental and occupational safety requirements. I have also submitted an amendment for $1.1 million for planning the Upper Quad conversion to alleviate Tech's major space shortage at relatively low cost. I have asked for $848,000 for an alternative processor to dispose of infectious wastes using new bioconversion technology, which is less costly and more environmentally safe than incineration.
The last Virginia Tech budget amendment requests $4.75 million for an athletic facilities addition to Jamerson Hall. All of these amendments are crucial to Virginia Tech's approved plan of restructuring. Without these amendments, Virginia Tech's ability to deliver excellence in teaching, research and public service will be severely diminished.
Monday was the deadline for legislative bills. Much of my time over the next two weeks will be spent in committee meetings working through some of the 2,129 bills and resolutions introduced. My committee assignments are Labor and Commerce; Corporations, Insurance and Banking; Agriculture; and Mining.
Among the bills I introduced is one to exempt start-up businesses from the Business, Professional and Occupancy License Tax for the first three years. Businesses are taxed on gross receipts regardless of their profitability. Most businesses operate in the red the first three years, and most business failures also occur then. My bill would promote business success through these lean years, strengthen local economies, and still support local government's income through business taxation.
There is currently a moratorium on construction of nursing homes in Virginia. At the request of Warm Hearth Village, I filed a bill to exempt Warm Hearth and allow it to build a 60-bed nursing home. This would be one more step in Warm Hearth's long-range plan to provide a continuum of care to its residents.
I have filed a bill to change the definition of a political subdivision. It would permit the Montgomery County Solid Waste Authority to join in the future New River Resource Authority, which would oversee a regional landfill. Its passage would foster local government cooperation.
The failure of irresponsible parents to pay child support results in taxpayers footing the bill to raise these children. I have submitted a bill that will revoke the driver's license of any parent who is 90 days delinquent in child support. The bill allows a delinquent parent to obtain a restricted permit to travel to and from work, school, or doctor's appointment.
To contact Del. Shuler, write P.O. Box 406, Richmond, Va. 23203 or call (804) 786-8425. To register an opinion, call the constituent hot line at (800) 889-0229.
Keywords:
GENERAL ASSEMBLY 1995
by CNB