Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, April 5, 1995 TAG: 9504050088
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: ROBERT LITTLE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Long
Tuesday, he takes a helicopter to Charlottesville to tout a new private health plan for university employees. He dares the General Assembly to take the less-government cue.
On Wednesday, Allen flies to Newport News to hail the opening of a United Parcel Service plant with 840 new jobs. All part of his grand Republican vision, he says. He implores the General Assembly to see the light.
In the weeks since the end of this year's legislative session, Allen has spent some $10,000 flying across the state distributing checks, cutting ribbons, holding news conferences - and pitching his agenda.
Some call it governing, others campaigning.
But as lawmakers huddle in the state Capitol today for the final bow of their 1995 legislative performance, few question the Republican governor's likely motivation: The Nov. 7 General Assembly election campaign is not only under way, it may already be at a crossroads.
Allen will force lawmakers to cast votes today on budget cuts, abortion clinic access, concealed handguns and a list of other election-year tough issues during a special session to consider the governor's vetoes and amendments.
Democrats have the votes to defeat all of Allen's proposals, and some Republicans predict they will.
Still, the one-day gathering has taken shape as more than just another test of the downsize-and-privatize Republican philosophy. It could be a precursor to this fall's battle of the brochures.
``We've seen an awful lot of political traps set in the last few months,'' said Lt. Gov. Don Beyer, a Democrat. He called a news conference Monday to say he will oppose most of Allen's major initiatives.
``You have to be careful,'' Beyer said. ``Because you never know which way the trap is going to spring.''
Atop Allen's agenda today is a proposal to take lottery profits out of the state's bank account and give the money to localities for education, law enforcement or tax cuts. Local governments would receive all $300 million of the state's annual lottery proceeds in five stages, the first being a $15 million payment next year.
At a news conference Tuesday, Allen called today's vote on his lottery plan ``a moment of truth.''
Democrats appear poised to defeat the plan, because it would create a $300 million hole in the budget within five years that Allen has done little to account for.
Still, few discount the issue's political strength: Come election time, it could be framed as a recorded vote on budget cuts, local empowerment, education, law enforcement and big government.
``A lot of Democrats won't want to give the governor that last victory,'' Sen. Kenneth W. Stolle, R-Virginia Beach, said. ``But if they don't, they might wind up giving him the real victory he wants - in November.''
It is for that reason that assembly Democrats have questioned Allen's motive, and criticized him for acting as though he were stuck in a campaign-style mode of governing.
Since the regular session adjourned Feb. 25, Allen has traversed Virginia. At least 15 times he has flown in state-owned aircraft, including trips as brief as a helicopter jump to Petersburg and as long as an all-day jet around Southwest Virginia, Northern Virginia and back.
Not all stops resembled campaign events. Allen spoke before Congress, gave speeches to colleges or attended ceremonial dinners.
Others - like a meeting in Danville with United We Stand, a national organization of political independents - were less conventional.
It's easy for critics to lambaste the governor for spending state money on travel, then imparting his politics to his audience. But at least one Democrat concedes it would be hypocritical to question the governor's inspiration.
``There's a lot at stake. Don't think there isn't,'' said Sen. Clarence A. Holland, a Virginia Beach Democrat whose seat Republicans plan to target this fall. ``Will one vote make a difference in November? I don't think so right now. But it always can. That's why this is all going on.''
Allen has proposed amendments to a healthy stack of bills passed this year by the legislature and vetoed a few more, ensuring that many of his initiatives will come up for votes today. They include:
A change to a bill that would guarantee jail time for protesters who repeatedly block access to abortion clinics. Allen wants the new law to apply only in cases of violence or threats of violence. And he wants it to apply to all public places - stealing its pro-abortion rights zing.
Changes to a bill making it easier for Virginians to carry concealed handguns. Allen has pledged to sign the bill, but he first wants to kill a section prohibiting concealed weapons in places where alcohol is served.
An $83 million increase in the amount the state will borrow next year for prison construction. The extra money would finance a maximum security prison at the Red Onion Mountain site in Wise County and a juvenile facility at Bon Air in Chesterfield County.
Allen's veto of the bill making it illegal for children to ride in the backs of pickup trucks on highways.
The veto session typically lasts one day. But this year, when Democrats hold only slight majorities and all 140 legislative seats will be up for election, some lawmakers wonder if they can keep it that brief.
Keywords:
GENERAL ASSEMBLY 1995
by CNB