ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, November 6, 1996 TAG: 9611060057
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A-6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
Virginians approved four amendments to the state's constitution Tuesday, including two anti-crime initiatives and a measure that will prevent the government from borrowing money from the state's employee pension fund.
A fifth amendment, which would allow churches to incorporate, was too close to call.
The amendments got little attention during a fall campaign season that emphasized the presidential race and the U.S. Senate race in Virginia.
The anti-crime amendments affirm the General Assembly's authority to pass laws protecting the rights of crime victims and allow prosecutors to appeal adverse rulings of the state appeals court to the Virginia Supreme Court.
With 61 percent of the state's 2,209 precincts reporting, the victims' rights amendment was approved 84 percent to 16 percent.
The commonwealth's right of appeal amendment was approved 72 percent to 28 percent, with 60 percent of the precincts reporting.
Both amendments were pushed by ``a class of legislators looking for new and novel ways to make it look like they're tough on crime,'' said Andrew Sacks of Norfolk, president of the Virginia College of Criminal Defense Attorneys. The group has about 40 members.
The state American Civil Liberties Union also opposed the measures.
An amendment to limit the use of Virginia Retirement System funds to activities ``solely in the interests'' of members was approved 82 percent to 18 percent, with 61 percent of precincts reporting.
The amendment bars the governor and legislature from using the state employees' nest egg to finance unrelated projects.
The measure makes the retirement fund an independent trust fund kept separate from other state money. That will make it harder for the General Assembly or the governor to try to balance the state budget by reducing contributions to the retirement fund and using the money saved for the general fund, said Joan Dent, executive director of the Virginia Governmental Employees Association.
A fourth amendment was a housekeeping measure designed to improve the state's compliance with the federal motor voter law.
The amendment would change the information an applicant for state voter registration must provide to match that required on a federal form, and give the General Assembly power to pass laws on how long voters who move can vote in their old precinct before updating their registration.
With 60 percent of precincts reporting, that amendment passed 76 percent to 24 percent.
The fifth amendment would allow churches to organize as nonprofit corporations, striking an 18th century measure designed to prevent establishment of a state-sponsored church. Forty-eight other states already allow churches to structure themselves as nonprofit corporations, which makes it easier for them to own property.
With 60 percent of precincts reporting, the amendment was failing 51 percent to 49 percent.
LENGTH: Medium: 59 lines KEYWORDS: ELECTIONby CNB