Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, January 28, 1995 TAG: 9501300042
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DAVID M. POOLE AND GREG SCHNEIDER STAFF WRITERS
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium
The decision to delay action came at the request of Gov. George Allen's administration, which also wants to transfer the enforcement of ABC laws to the Virginia State Police.
``There are many issues that need to be resolved before a transfer could occur,'' Secretary of Public Safety Jerry Kilgore said in a letter to Moss. ``Many of the issues have a budgetary impact.''
Allen and Moss have arrived at the same conclusion for different reasons. Allen wants to consolidate ABC and other agency law-enforcement functions under the State Police for efficiency. Moss has said he wants the change because of complaints that ABC officers have unfairly targeted some restaurants and nightclubs, including at least one of his clients.
The chief sponsor of the ABC law-enforcement bill - House Bill 1771 - is Norfolk Del. William Robinson, who said he introduced it at Moss' request. The other co-sponsor is House Majority Leader Richard Cranwell of Roanoke County.
In other business Friday:
Democratic lawmakers disputed claims Allen made the day before that Virginia is losing business development to North Carolina because the Tar Heel State has a lower tax rate.
Senate Majority Leader Hunter Andrews of Hampton produced a chart showing that Virginia's tax rates actually are lower.
According to Andrews, Virginia's corporate income tax is 6 percent, while North Carolina's is 7.75 percent. State sales tax in Virginia is 4.5 percent, but in North Carolina it's 6 percent. And the individual income tax rate in Virginia is 5.75 percent for income over $17,000; in North Carolina, the rate is 7 percent for income over $21,250, and 7.75 percent for income over $100,000.
``So to say that industry comes to North Carolina because they're a low tax state doesn't conform to the facts. Some people just don't get the facts straight,'' Andrews said.
Senate Democrats answered Allen's challenge to present alternative spending cuts if they do not like his plan.
A subcommittee headed by Norfolk Sen. Stanley Walker put forward a plan to consolidate agencies under the secretary of finance, eliminating 64 positions and saving $4.3 million a year.
Most of the cuts would fall most heavily on the Department of Planning and Budget, an agency that has played a key role in Allen's efforts to cut taxes and spending.
After meeting with Allen, a group of Longwood College students who camped out in front of the student union to protest college budget cuts called off their campout.
During a 90-minute meeting Friday, Allen told the students he would not rescind the cuts, which would cost the school $1.2 million.
Allen said he thought the money could be cut from administrative overhead and not student programs.
The students will continue to protest, but through more traditional channels such as the legislature, said Greg Rasnake, who helped organized the protest.
Keywords:
GENERAL ASSEMBLY 1995
by CNB