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

DATE: MONDAY, January 30, 1995                   TAG: 9501310057
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: RICHMOND                                 LENGTH: Medium

TOUGH ISSUES AHEAD FOR ASSEMBLY

As deadlines near and mountains of legislation await lawmakers' attention, the General Assembly this week will tackle proposals to cut taxes, allow riverboat gambling and permit automobile dealers to regulate themselves.

Each house faces a Feb. 7 deadline to act on its own non-budget legislation, so committees likely will work overtime dealing with bills. At the end of the week, legislators will take a break as British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher speaks Friday before a joint session.

Today, joint money committees will hold a public hearing on Gov. George Allen's plan to cut income taxes. Many of Allen's fellow Republicans hail the plan as a way to reduce the size and scope of government, while critics say the state can't afford it.

Allen's controversial plan to cut a tax levied on businesses will face a crucial vote in the House Finance Committee on Wednesday.

Allen has complained that Democrats who control the committee are engaging in ``political chicanery'' to keep the proposals away from the House floor.

``I want a vote on the House and Senate floor,'' Allen said. ``Take a stand, make a choice.''

The House roads committee is expected to take up another Allen-backed bill Tuesday that would turn over automobile dealer regulation to a board made up mostly of auto dealers. Regulation now lies with the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Consumer groups say the bill would open the door to crooked automobile tactics, while proponents argue that it would eliminate unnecessary regulations over things such as the size of showrooms.

Legislators will hear from the public and contingents of lobbyists Wednesday on bills that would allow riverboat gambling. Two Norfolk Democrats, Del. Jerrauld Jones and Sen. Stanley Walker, have introduced bills that would permit floating casinos if voters approve them in statewide and local referendums.

Keywords:
GENERAL ASSEMBLY 1995

by CNB