ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, January 13, 1997 TAG: 9701130071
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: ROBERT LITTLE AND DAVID M. POOLE STAFF WRITERS
Del. Jim Shuler calls it a different kind of campaign finance reform.
The Blacksburg Democrat has introduced a constitutional amendment that would lengthen terms of members of the House of Delegates from two to four years.
Shuler said switching to a four-year term would enable the 100 members of the House to focus their attention on legislation and constituent service. It would free them, he said, from what has become almost nonstop solicitation of campaign contributions.
"We get re-elected and then - boom - we're out there asking for money again," Shuler said. "I think people get tired of it."
The proposal is likely to face opposition from state senators, who already have four-year terms. Shuler said he would be open to allowing senators to serve, say, six years.
As for the criticism that stretching terms would require voters to wait longer before they could throw the bums out, Shuler said constituents already have to wait to get a crack at their representatives.
"It's all relative," he said.
Retaining DNA evidence
Del. Clifton "Chip" Woodrum wants to pass a law that would require the state to save biological evidence in criminal cases in case that evidence can be used for future DNA testing.
In several well-publicized Virginia cases, men who served lengthy prison sentences have been pardoned by the governor after DNA testing showed they were innocent.
"We need to make sure we do not destroy DNA evidence that could, sometime in the future, prove valuable to the case," the Roanoke Democrat said.
His bill, recommended by the State Crime Commission, would require biological evidence to be stored for 20 years or the maximum amount of time the defendant could serve in prison, whichever is shorter.
Thomas feels tax pinch
Gov. George Allen's proposal for a temporary reduction in the state's unemployment tax resonated with Roanoke Del. Vic Thomas, who runs a convenience store on East Orange Avenue.
Thomas said the flood of November 1985 demolished his store, forcing a couple of his workers onto unemployment for a few weeks while he rebuilt.
After the store reopened, Thomas said the state jacked up his unemployment tax because the two workers had drawn from the fund for six weeks. Thomas said he later figured the increased premiums cost more than if he had paid the workers out of his own pocket.
"I would have saved $7,000 if I would have just paid them," he said.
Thomas said he would support reducing the unemployment tax, if the trust fund were strong enough. "They can call it what they want, but that's right rough on small businessmen."
Change the write-in law?
Sen. John Edwards is trying to change state law so that Virginia voters can cast write-in votes when they vote for president.
Write-in votes are allowed in most other elections, but Virginia has never established a procedure for write-ins during presidential elections.
"I'll bet most people don't realize they can't write in votes for president," the Roanoke Democrat said. "They should have the chance."
Goode gone, not forgotten
The first order of business for the Senate Rules Committee last week elicited a few groans from lawmakers. They approved their salary for the year: $18,000.
"The only one who got a raise was Virgil," said Loudoun Sen. Charles Waddell, referring to the famously miserly Franklin County senator, who is in Congress this year collecting $133,600 annually.
"I think when Virgil gets that first paycheck, he's going to think he hit the lottery," said Fairfax Sen. Richard Saslaw.
"I hear he already got his car painted," said Montgomery County Democrat Madison Marye.
"Blowing it already," Saslaw said.
How to reach your legislators
Write in care of the General Assembly Building, Richmond 23219, or call:
HOUSE OF DELEGATES
* Ward Armstrong, D-Henry County, (804)786-6817
* Tommy Baker, R-Pulaski County, (804)786-6605
* Richard Cranwell, D-Vinton, (804)786-6891
* Creigh Deeds, D-Bath County, (804)786-6606
* Allen Dudley, R-Rocky Mount, (804)786-6895
* Morgan Griffith, R-Salem, (804)786-7296
* Tom Jackson, D-Hillsville, (804)786-7301
* Lacey Putney, I-Bedford County, (804)786-6598
* Jim Shuler, D-Blacksburg, (804)786-8425
* Vic Thomas, D-Roanoke, (804)786-6900
* Clifton "Chip" Woodrum, D-Roanoke, (804)786-2898
SENATE
* John Edwards, D-Roanoke, (804)786-6702
* Emmett Hanger, R-Augusta County, (804)786-6068
* Madison Marye, D-Shawsville, (804)786-6986
* Steve Newman, R-Lynchburg, (804)786-6595
* Roscoe Reynolds, D-Henry County, (804)786-6067
* Malfourd "Bo" Trumbo, R-Fincastle, (804)786-6884
To track the status of bills, visit our General Assembly Web site at www.roanoke.com
LENGTH: Long : 106 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: (headshots) Shuler, Thomas, Woodrum KEYWORDS: GENERAL ASSEMBLY 1997by CNB