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

DATE: SUNDAY, October 8, 1995                   TAG: 9510090107
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: A-12   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

HOW OUR LEGISLATORS VOTED

INCENTIVES are among the last things that manufacturers look at when they relocate. Their first consideration is the general business climate: tax policy, prevailing wages, access to markets, skilled work force, workers compensation rates and environmental regulation.

Virginia compares favorably with other states, and there is bipartisan support for maintaining a pro-business environment.

Debate in the General Assembly usually takes place on the margins: Proponents seek to make the climate even more favorable to business, while opponents say the state needs to maintain basic protections for injured workers and the environment. Many of these measures never make it out of committee.

Here are several such issues that came up during the 1995 session and how legislators from Western Virginia voted:

List of votes by House of Delegates & Senate (see microfilm for text).

1. WORKERS COMPENSATION

(HB 1709, Feb. 6, Defeated in House 40-54; SB 861, Feb 6, Defeated in Senate Commerce and Labor Committee, 7-8)

Bill would have reduced workers compensation benefits to retired employees by amount of employer-funded pension benefits. Supporters said the current system allows some early retirees to double-dip at employer's expense. Opponents said compensation and retirement are separate benefits: one to compensate for injuries, the other a right earned through years of service. A "yes" vote in Senate was to take no action, effectively killing the bill.

2. EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION

(SB 1025, April 6, Defeated in House 49-49; Passed in Senate 26-13)

Bill responded to court ruling that gave workers broad rights to sue small companies that discriminate on race, gender or national origin. The bill limited workers' ability to recover up to 12 months lost wages. Gov. George Allen proposed an amendment that would have taken away all legal recourse from workers in companies with more than five and fewer than 15 employees. Supporters of the amendment said the bill would open the door to frivolous lawsuits. Opponents said the compromise bill protected companies while giving workers limited recourse in the courts. A "yes" is for Allen's amendment.

3. BPOL TAX

(HB 1974, Feb. 2, Defeated in House Finance Committee, 14-8; SB 895, Feb. 7, Defeated in Senate Finance, 12-3)

Allen sought to phase out what he termed a "jobs killer" tax that localities levy on gross business receipts. Supporters of eliminating the levy said BPOL dulls Virginia's competitive edge. Opponents said Virginia already has the fifth lowest tax burden in the nation and reducing taxes would mean cuts in services such as education. A "yes" vote was a vote to kill the tax cut.

4. BINDING ARBITRATION

(SJR 379, Feb, 23, Passed in House 67-31; Feb. 7, Passed in Senate 22-17)

Authorizes the legislature to enact a personnel grievance procedure for local school employees that would allow a body other than school board to resolve the grievance. Supporters said the bill would provide a fair alternative to current grievance procedures. Opponents warned it would erode the state's Right to Work law. A "yes" vote was a vote to enact the grievance procedure.

5. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT

(HB 1845, Feb. 7, Passed in House, 69-30; Feb. 16, Passed in Senate, 29-11).

Bill that allows companies to avoid fines or civil lawsuits for pollution discovered through the company's voluntary audit of its facilities. Supporters said the bill would encourage industries to find and correct problems. Opponents said it would open the door for abuses by companies that "discover" they are polluting. A "yes" vote was a vote to allow companies to avoid fines.

by CNB