ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, May 13, 1996 TAG: 9605130124
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
Votes of Western Virginia representatives on major legislation last week. A ``Y'' means the member voted for the measure; an ``N'' means the member voted against the measure.
Senate
Gas tax, minimum wage
The Senate on Thursday failed on a procedural vote to consider legislation to repeal the gasoline tax and raise the minimum wage. Although the vote was 52-44 in favor of proceeding, a ``supermajority'' of 60 votes was needed to advance the bill. The bill would have increased the minimum wage from $4.25 to $5.15 over two years, and killed the 4.3 cent gasoline tax. A ``yes'' vote favored ending debate.
Charles Robb, D N
John Warner, R Y
House
Abuse sentencing
The House on Tuesday approved 414-4 a measure to provide stiffer penalties for crimes committed against elderly and child victims, as well as those deemed ``vulnerable'' because of physical or mental handicaps. A ``yes'' vote favors passage of the proposal.
Rick Boucher (D-Abingdon) Y
Robert Goodlatte (R-Roanoke) Y
L.F. Payne (D-Nelson County) Y
Bosnian arms probe
The House on Wednesday voted 224-187 to establish a special congressional panel to investigate President Clinton's 1994 decision to ignore Iranian arms shipments to Bosnia. Supporters of the resolution accused the president of duplicity in failing to notify Congress of his decision. Opponents countered that the public has known about the shipments through news accounts dating back to 1994. A ``yes'' vote favors establishing the select committee.
Boucher N
Goodlatte Y
Payne N
Public housing
The House on Thursday passed 315-107 a bill to revamp the nation's public housing system and give greater power to local housing authorities. Opponents of the bill said it would subvert protections for the country's poorest citizens by eliminating rent ceilings. Supporters said the legislation would help tenants move from run-down public housing to privately owned properties by providing rent subsidy vouchers. A ``yes'' vote supports the bill.
Boucher N
Goodlatte Y
Payne Y
Faulty-product lawsuits
The House on Thursday failed to override a presidential veto of a bill that would have limited punitive damage awards in lawsuits involving faulty products. The 258-163 vote fell short of the two-thirds needed to overturn a veto. Those in favor of overturning the veto said the bill would protect companies from frivolous law suits. Opponents said consumers' rights would be neglected in favor of businesses that made defective products. A ``yes'' vote favors overriding the veto.
Boucher Y
Goodlatte Y
Payne N
LENGTH: Medium: 76 linesby CNB