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

DATE: SATURDAY, February 11, 1995                   TAG: 9502130020
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-10   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: JIM SHULER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

PUBLIC MAKES ITSELF HEARD

Over the last four weeks my legislative office has received more than 1,000 contacts in the form of letters, phone calls, faxes, postcards and responses to the surveys that I ran in local newspapers.

My fellow legislators also have had record numbers of letters and calls.

I have heard from teachers, parents, faculty, staff and students from elementary to graduate level who are all concerned about budget cuts in education. I have heard from senior citizens who wonder if they will be without services such as Meals-on-Wheels or transportation to the doctor. I have heard from local government officials and property owners who are worried that property taxes may have to be raised. ... I have also heard from citizens who believe in the importance of public libraries, public radio and public television, the arts and museums, all of which educate us and enrich our lives.

I have listened to business leaders, state Chamber of Commerce leaders and chief executive officers of Virginia's most prestigious corporations who ask, "How can we cut funding to higher education and expect to attract new businesses, or even retain workers for Virginia's existing businesses?" I have listened to mothers and fathers telling me how hard they are working to be able to send their children to college and that they are seeing this goal slip farther and farther away.

Last week three former governors, Mills Goodwin, Linwood Holton and Gerald Baliles wrote a letter to the General Assembly that said: "Now is the time to make critical new investments in Virginia's future. We believe the place to start is reaffirming public support for our unique system of higher education which is the envy of the nation and must remain so."

I have listened to college presidents, faculty, staff, graduate and undergraduate students. They all have said the same thing. Education is the key to continued economic growth and future prosperity for the people of Virginia.

I would like to share a few representative excerpts of your letters:

"Providing quality educational programs to the citizens of Virginia will insure a promising future for our state and should not be compromised."

"My 12-year-old daughter complains during the winter about how cold her classroom is, and how hot it is in the summer. I'm sure Gov. Allen's new prisons would have state of the art heating, cooling, weight rooms, cafeterias, gymnasiums, etc. Why should prisoners have it better than the children of tax payers?"

"I want my state income tax to continue at its present level. The services provided by the state are much more important to us than the approximately $33 in reduced taxes I would receive."

The House Appropriations Committee revealed its recommendations on the state budget Monday. Overall, $50 million was restored for our colleges and universities. I am pleased to report that my budget amendment of $12.5 million for Cooperative Extension was included.

The budget will not be finalized until April, when the General Assembly reconvenes to consider any future amendments or vetoes by the governor.

You can reach me at: P.O. Box 406 Richmond VA 23203. (804) 786-8425. Constituent hot line (800) 889-0229

Keywords:
GENERAL ASSEMBLY 1995

by CNB