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

DATE: SATURDAY, March 4, 1995                   TAG: 9503060026
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV3   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: THOMAS G. BAKER JR.
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

MUCH FUNDING RESTORED

Last Friday, just before the General Assembly wrapped up its session, the final vote on the budget was taken.

As originally introduced, the budget contained substantial cuts to most all areas. Significant, of course, were cuts to cooperative extension, public education and to college and university funding.

But the final conference report restored funding for cooperative extension and aid to localities. For instance, Pulaski County, Radford and Giles County received a combined increase of approximately $140,000 in direct school funding and approximately $522,000 in additional technology grants. Radford University, one of the largest employers in the 7th District, had $1.6 million restored to its budget.

The conference budget also included $10 million in economic development incentives including the Governor's Deal Closing Fund. These are monies that are used in conjunction with other incentives to attract industry to Virginia. The final budget also contained $9.4 million for programs such as work-force training and tourism promotion.

My two-year efforts to secure monies for a campground expansion to the New River Trail State Park in Pulaski County remained in the final budget version. The additional tourism promotion and advertising monies help make projects such as this very successful. I voted for the budget and it passed by a 83-17 vote.

Patrons of various welfare reform measures met with negotiators from the governor's office in an attempt to reach agreements on elements the governor had insisted upon. In its final stage, the welfare reform bill contained most of what the governor had wanted to close various loopholes and to ensure that the able-bodied are included in the mandated work sections. I supported the welfare reform measures during this session. As I have stated before, we need to move away form a welfare system that encourages idleness to one that leads to work and gainful employment. The final tally was 90-9.

Also important to our district was the WorkForce Transition Act which will affect state employees. I had previously voted for this bill that provides a mechanism to help retiring state employees. The governor chose not to sign the bill, but did offer amendments to it. Two of the amendments were of significance. One made sure the legislation applied to all college and university employees. I voted for this amendment and it was adopted. The other amendment would have ended this program on July 1, 1996. I voted against this amendment and it failed. The governor has not yet signed the bill.

Our reconvened veto session is scheduled for April 5. Until then, I will be back in my Dublin office.

Keywords:
GENERAL ASSEMBLY 1995

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