ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, February 2, 1997 TAG: 9702030073
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-7 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: FROM STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS
Virginia won't get a new state song this year.
A House of Delegates committee Saturday tabled a proposal to make ``Virginia'' the official song, replacing the song you never hear sung in Virginia, ``Carry Me Back to Old Virginia.''
That song embarrasses the state with offensive lyrics that make references to slavery. At least, that was the apparent line of thought last week when the Senate voted to retire it altogether. That matter next goes to the House of Delegates.
Saturday, as the House panel considered a bill that proposed a specific tune, Del. Franklin Hall, D-Richmond, played a recording of ``Virginia'' for the General Laws Committee, which has been wrestling with the song business for years. The recording was by Donna Dean, who co-wrote the song with her husband, county singer and sausage magnate Jimmy Dean.
``That wasn't as bad as some I've heard,'' said Del. Jay DeBoer, D-Petersburg. ``In fact, it was kind of nice. Whether it's the people's choice or not, we can't decide in the confines of a short session.''
Still alive is a bill approved by the Senate and sent to the House that would create a committee - made up of lawmakers and residents - to come up with a new state song.
Status report
The status of some of the major legislation in the 1997 General Assembly:
*Money: SB1018, Reasor, revising the unemployment trust fund formula in an attempt to lower taxes paid by businesses, passed Senate.
*Education: HB1751, Hamilton, to create charter schools, killed in House committee.
HB2212, Diamonstein, dissolving the State Council of Higher Education, which is appointed by the governor, and reconstituting it with six members appointed by the governor and five by the legislature, passed House.
SB1148, Earley, to require notification of parents when an unmarried minor seeks an abortion, passed Senate committee.
SB1149, Earley; HB2898, McClure, to prohibit partial-birth abortions, in House committee; killed in Senate committee.
*Crime: SB495, Earley, to allow a murder prosecution for killing a fetus by means other than abortion, passed Senate, in House committee.
*Constitutional amendments: SJR98, Martin, saying parents have the right to raise their children as they see fit, killed in Senate.
SJR376, Earley, banning casino gambling, passed Senate committee.
What's next
House of Delegates committees scatter meetings throughout today; the full House convenes at 6 p.m.
Two Senate committees are scheduled to work this afternoon.
Committees responsible for the budget must finish their work by midnight.
CONSTITUENT VIEWPOINTS -A toll-free hot line to provide residents of the commonwealth the opportunity to express their views on issues before the General Assembly: (800)889-0229
For more information:
The Clerk's Office
House of Delegates
P.O. Box 406
Richmond 23218
(804) 786-6530
The Clerk's Office
Senate of Virginia
P.O. Box 396
Richmond 23218
(804) 786-3838
Key dates
One reason for the frenzied schedule and weekend hours: Deadlines are near.
Today: Midnight deadline for Senate and House money committees to finish work on budget bill.
Tuesday: Deadline for each house to act on its own bills except budget.
Thursday: Each chamber approves its version of the budget.
LENGTH: Medium: 82 lines ILLUSTRATION: GRAPHIC: Chart: The General Assembly: Status of key pieces ofby CNBlegislation KEYWORDS: MGR GENERAL ASSEMBLY 1997