ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, April 18, 1996 TAG: 9604180058
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A-1 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: RICHMOND
SOURCE: DAVID M. POOLE STAFF WRITER
Despite petitions from nearly two-thirds of Virginia's school boards, the General Assembly failed Wednesday to override Gov. George Allen's veto of federal Goals 2000 education money.
The vote means that, at least for now, Virginia won't seek $6.7 million in federal money available for teacher training.
In its annual one-day veto session, the General Assembly acted on nearly 200 bills Allen amended, including approving emergency legislation that outlaws certain animal-rights protests against sport fishing.
Lawmakers also reconsidered portions of the state's $35 billion two-year budget that required Allen to apply for the Goals 2000 money if two-thirds of local school boards request it. Eighty-five school boards have passed resolutions requesting the aid, enough to meet the requirement.
Democrats in the House of Delegates tried to override the Republican governor's veto, but the 57-43 vote was 10 votes short of the two-thirds majority needed. That killed the measure and made Senate action unnecessary.
Allen and other conservatives say accepting Goals 2000 money would lead to federal intrusion into local school operations.
"You can't name one federal program that hasn't dictated mandates," said Del. Kirk Cox, R-Colonial Heights.
But House Democratic Leader Richard Cranwell said that school boards across the state read the fine print and concluded otherwise.
"Do we have confidence in the folks back home? Or are we going to play some paternalistic role and suggest we know what's best for them?" Cranwell asked.
Democratic lawmakers predicted that the constitutionality of Allen's vetoes would be challenged in the State Supreme Court.
A legal challenge could determine whether the governor has the right to veto portions of the state budget that are not specific dollar appropriations.
The challenge could be brought by any of the school districts that petitioned for a share of the Goals 2000 money or by Virginia CARES, a state-supported nonprofit group that helps prisoners adjust to society after their release.
"I'm thinking seriously of suing," said Lin Edlich, executive director of Virginia CARES, which lost $3.2 million to an Allen veto.
Allen vetoed the appropriation because Virginia CARES received a no-bid contract for pre-release and post-incarceration counseling services.
"This is about competition," said Del. Robert Tata, R-Virginia Beach, who added that Virginia CARES would get to bid on any contract in the future.
But Democrats warned that the Allen administration could be abandoning people who have paid their debt to society.
Del. William Robinson, D-Norfolk, said Virginia CARES had a good track record in reducing repeat offenses. "This makes Virginia a little safer," he said.
Both houses overwhelmingly approved a recommendation from the governor that will prohibit harassing fishermen on Virginia's waterways. It is designed to thwart the animal-rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, whose members have begun a campaign to stop fishing practices they consider tantamount to fish torture.
Staff writer Robert Little and the Associated Press contributed to this story.
LENGTH: Medium: 67 lines ILLUSTRATION: GRAPHIC: Chart: How they voted. KEYWORDS: GENERAL ASSEMBLY 1996by CNB