ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, January 24, 1997 TAG: 9701240076
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-4 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
COLUMN: GENERAL ASSEMBLY NOTEBOOK
SOURCE: DAVID M. POOLE AND LAURA LAFAY STAFF WRITERS
During a lull Thursday, a moderate legislator from Southside Virginia chatted with amazement about the crowd of 500 people who turned out Wednesday for a hearing on a bill that would enshrine "parents rights" in the state constitution.
Del. Ted Bennett, D-Halifax County, expressed relief that the measure probably won't reach the House of Delegates this year.
The proposed amendment is on the other side, slated to be voted on by the full Senate on Monday. Republicans supporting the measure said they may reword the amendment to ease concern from Democrats. And House members expect that it will not be referred out of committee to them.
While Bennett said he supported the bill's thrust, he was not convinced that such language belongs in the state constitution.
"We all want to direct our children through life," Bennett said. "But then you think about that crazy neighbor."
Bennett said the parents rights amendment, followed to its logical conclusion, would allow parents to ignore compulsory-education laws.
"What it will allow is a parent to say, `I don't want my child to go to school for 180 days. I don't want my child to attend school until he is 18.'''
School zone speeding
Since 1992, drivers who speed through construction zones have risked a $250 fine, while those who zip past schools or around school buses picking up or dropping off students have faced a much lighter penalty.
Virginia legislators finally took notice Thursday: Two committees unanimously endorsed separate bills to increase fines for speeding in school zones or illegally passing a stopped bus to $250.
``The bill sends a message to the courts that those who would speed in school zones should be given different treatment than other speeders,'' said Del. William Mims, R-Loudoun County. He said he submitted the bill after he realized state law protects workers in hard hats better than school children.
His bill sped through the House Transportation Committee, while the Senate Transportation Committee swiftly approved a bill by Sen. Edd Houck, D-Spotsylvania County, to raise the fine for passing a stopped school bus from $50 to $250.
College loan bill back
A House committee revived a bill that would make small college loans more available - but more expensive. The bill would lift the 2 percent cap that banks and savings institutions can charge in fees when making installment loans of less than $5,000 for tuition purposes. Banks say they cannot compete with out-of-state institutions exempt from the 2 percent cap.
What's next
Floor sessions open at noon today. House of Delegates committees will meet Saturday morning and Sunday afternoon. Also Saturday, the General Assembly convenes in the reconstructed Capitol at Williamsburg in a symbolic annual commemorative session.
Quote of the day
``And I would say to this side of the room: I feel fine, so don't get your hopes up.''
- House Speaker and Norfolk Democrat Thomas Moss, addressing Republican delegates after announcing to the House that "a medical appointment" necessitates his absence from the General Assembly today.
Getting involved
* Wednesday at 2 p.m., a Senate committee will hold a brief public hearing (10 minutes to hear opposing viewpoints) on parental notification, which would require girls younger than 18 to tell their parents before getting an abortion.
* Wednesday also is PTA day at the General Assembly.
* To leave a message for state legislators, call (800)889-0229 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. weekdays or write in care of General Assembly Building, Richmond 23219.
* To track the status of bills, visit our General Assembly Web site at www.roanoke.com
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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