Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, February 10, 1995 TAG: 9502100122
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DAVID M. POOLE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium
Allen has said all along that he wanted a floor vote on his budget, but when Democrats unexpectedly brought up the spending cuts, not a single Republican voted for them.
Stunned Republicans labeled the vote a sham because it did not involve Allen's proposed tax relief for individuals and businesses.
``Voting on the governor's budget cuts without the corresponding tax cuts is like shooting blanks,'' Allen spokesman Ken Stroupe said in a written statement that called the action ``pathetic'' and a ``gimmick.''
But Democrats claimed Thursday's vote was a clear signal that Allen misread the public when he embarked on a crusade to slash state government.
``This was designed to illustrate the almost universal repudiation of what the governor has been talking about,'' said House Majority Leader Richard Cranwell of Roanoke County.
``When you can't get a single Republican to vote for the proposals, it shows just how out of touch these proposals are with the people,'' said Watkins Abbitt, D-Appomattox.
The scheduled budget debates on the House and Senate floors appeared so routine that Allen was not even in town. He traveled to Washington for a congressional hearing, leaving instructions that GOP lawmakers should not bother resurrecting his tax and budget cuts because he plans to use his veto power to refashion the budget.
Things went as expected in the Senate, which voted 33-6 to approve a start-to-finish Democratic rewrite of Allen's budget.
In the House, however, Democrats were waiting to spring a trap.
First, Appropriations Committee Chairman Robert Ball of Richmond lulled everyone with a four-page speech explaining how Democrats had restored Allen's cuts to human services, education and law enforcement.
When Ball moved that the House accept the committee's changes to the Allen budget, Cranwell sprang out of his chair.
The Democratic floor leader offered a substitute motion that the House accept Allen's budget as it was presented, minus the tax cuts.
Cranwell gazed across the chamber and reminded Republicans how loudly they had protested when Democrats killed Allen's tax and spending plan without giving it a chance on the floor.
``I say be careful what you ask for, because you might get it,'' Cranwell said. ``Now is the time for you to say to your governor, `You are right,' or `You are wrong.'''
Before Republicans could respond, House Speaker Thomas Moss had recognized another Democrat.
``Mr. Speaker,'' said Del. Jay DeBoer, D- Petersburg, ``I move the pending question.''
Under House rules, the pending-question motion cuts off all debate. Even the motion itself cannot be debated.
House Minority Leader Vance Wilkins asked for a recess so Republicans could huddle behind closed doors.
Moss denied the motion.
Republicans tried several other procedural maneuvers, but Moss ruled against them. They were forced to choose between voting for unpopular budget cuts or abandoning their governor.
``There ain't nothing like a worm on a hot rock squirming,'' Cranwell hooted.
No one voted for Allen's spending cuts.
Ten Republicans joined Democrats in voting against the cuts. The remaining 37 Republicans sought safe haven by evoking ``Rule 69,'' an abstention used when a lawmaker has a conflict of interest.
Democrats were not content just cornering Republicans on Allen's general plan. They also engineered a series of votes on restoring funds for the most controversial of Allen's proposed cuts - such as dropout prevention grants, mental health services and home-delivered meals for the elderly.
Each drew a smattering of GOP votes in opposition. But not a single GOP lawmaker voted against restoring funds to cooperative extension services and local police departments.
The House budget finally passed, 73-24.
Democrats said the votes will defuse Allen's attempt to paint them as tax-cut obstructionists in November elections when all 140 legislative seats will be on the ballot.
Republicans argued that the vote on spending cuts meant nothing because there was no chance to make changes or even debate.
``The only thing we proved today is that the Democrats have 52 votes in the House of Delegates,'' said Del. John Watkins, R-Midlothian.
Staff writers Robert Little and Warren Fiske contributed to this story.
Keywords:
GENERAL ASSEMBLY 1995
by CNB