Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, September 8, 1995 TAG: 9509080071
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: BRIAN KELLEY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
The Virginia Governmental Employees Association sponsored a candidates' night featuring Del. Jim Shuler, D-Blacksburg, and his challenger, Republican Larry Linkous. Pat Cupp also attended, but his opponent, state Sen. Madison Marye, D-Shawsville, missed. Del. Morgan Griffith, R-Salem, who represents southern Montgomery County, attended but is unopposed.
Only 13 people attended the forum, which will be rebroadcast over Blacksburg's public-access cable television station, WTOB-Channel 2, on a date to be announced later.
Given the presence of Virginia Tech and Radford University, state employees make up one of the largest voting segments in the New River Valley. State-government and Tech issues, in particular, should play major roles in the Linkous-Shuler election.
Employees' association official Pleasant Shields asked questions on a series of legislative priorities, starting with a proposal for 5 percent, across-the-board raises for state workers in each half of the two-year budget the General Assembly will vote on this winter.
Linkous and Cupp both supported the concept of a raise, but wouldn't commit to a number. Linkous, an auctioneer and co-owner of a catering business, said his record on the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors shows he recognizes the importance of government employees. The Montgomery board included a major pay increase in the county budget this year after a turnout of more than 100 county employees last fall requesting action.
Cupp, a real-estate developer, said generally the private sector pays better, but the public sector has better job security and benefits.
Shuler, a veterinarian, said the 5 percent figure has merit. He linked it to the larger issue of low morale under the administration of Republican Gov. George Allen. "Unfortunately during the last two years state employees have been beaten down by the present administration as being lazy, nonproductive, computer-game playing components of a perceived bloated bureaucracy," Shuler said.
"They are indeed the employees who've made this state one of the best run in the nation," Shuler said. "It's time we quit battering our state employees."
Other issues raised by Shields and summaries of responses included:
A proposal to restore "bumping rights" to senior state employees over new hires when there has been satisfactory job performance. Linkous said he'd had a problem in the past with bumping just for seniority. He advocated some type of point system be used to rate performance. Shuler said he voted this year to restore bumping rights, but the governor vetoed the bill. Cupp said seniority should be considered when layoffs are necessary.
The 40-day, use-it-or-lose-it universal leave proposal made by Allen's blue ribbon strike force. Cupp said he needed to study the issue more. Linkous said he didn't favor an automatic, 40-days leave per year. Shuler said he opposes the administration's universal leave proposal.
Privatization. All three candidates cautioned that privatization shouldn't be rushed into or seen as a cure-all. "Some things need to be left to the state, but privatization is the wave of the future," Cupp said.
Linkous said cost savings and effectiveness and whether the new enterprise will create tax revenue should be considered before privatizing. Shuler called for a comprehensive review by the state's legislative study organization. "Just to make it a buzzword to say we're going to get rid of government and privatize, that's not reality," Shuler said.
Cost of living allowances. The state employees' group wants the law changed so retirees' allowances would be granted on July 1 of the next calendar year following retirement. Now it can be as long as 30 months before the adjustment for inflation goes into effect. Shuler said he would support a bill that called for a minimum of six months and a maximum of 18 months before the allowance first kicks in. Linkous said he would support at least a 12-month wait. Cupp said he didn't have enough facts.
Keywords:
POLITICS
by CNB