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

DATE: SATURDAY, February 18, 1995                   TAG: 9502200029
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV6   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: THOMAS G. BAKER, JR.
DATELINE: LEGISLATIVE JOURNAL                                 LENGTH: Medium

HOUSE, SENATE WEIGH IN ON BUDGET

The budget battle heated up this week as the House and Senate entered the final two weeks of the session. Both chambers passed their versions of the budget but not before the House, through a parliamentary maneuver, voted on the budget as originally proposed by Gov. Allen.

The governor's budget reduced state spending by approximately $140 million by, among many other things, slashing programs such as Virginia Tech Cooperative Extension, reducing funding for education and Head Start, and cutting public broadcasting and services for mentally ill.

I joined all 52 Democrats, as well as nine other Republicans, and Independent Delegate Lacey Putney of Bedford, in voting against the governor's budget cuts. The House then passed its version of the budget by a vote of 73 to 24. I voted for the House budget.

In the House version, we have fully restored $12 million for Cooperative Extension. We have also provided for a 2.25 percent pay increase for state employees. Under the governor's budget, for instance, Pulaski County would have lost $114,000. Radford would have lost $3,800 and Giles would have lost approximately $13,500 in funding for just kindergarten through third-grade students alone. Funding for our local public schools will now come back in line with last year's appropriations.

Radford University will have $1.6 million in general operating funds restored. These funds are critical to its operation and I was pleased to have also introduced a budget amendment in support of the restoration of these funds. Also included in the budget are funds that I have been working for over the last two years to acquire and develop a campground in Pulaski County on the New River Trail State Park. As it stands now, additional monies to complete this effort are in the House budget.

The Omnibus Education Act of 1995, was approved by a vote of 86 to 11. This bill directs that after July 1, 1996, 100 percent of lottery proceeds will be earmarked for education. The bill also required the 1996-97 budget to contain additional money for rural school districts such as ours.

To contact Del. Baker, call the legislature's toll-free number for messages at (800) 889-0229 or Baker's office at (804) 786-6605. Mail letters to P.O. Box 406, Richmond, Va., 23203.

Keywords:
GENERAL ASSEMBLY 1995

by CNB