ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, February 11, 1997 TAG: 9702110056
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-6 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
This year's General Assembly is in the homestretch toward the Feb. 22 adjournment. Four local legislators update their work:
Del. Tommy Baker, R-Pulaski County
Represents Pulaski County, Pearisburg and western Giles County. Richmond phone number: (804) 786-6605.
In important House action last week, Del. Frank Hall's House Bill 2426 passed the House but was killed on Wednesday by the Senate General Laws committee. It dealt with the "bumping" by state employees. I anticipate that there will be maneuvering in the Senate to resurrect this measure. I voted for the bill when it was before the House.
On Thursday, the House and Senate debated the respective budget bills. The House version of the budget contains significant money for state employee raises, to correct the lag-pay concerns and to help prevent increases in premiums for Key Advantage Health plans. Although not as hotly debated as some past budgets, approximately 31/2 hours worth of floor amendments were offered and debated. I voted for the budget, which also contains funding for Radford University, New River Community College and for our public schools. Lastly, a project I have worked on since the 1994 session has gained final House approval in this year's House budget. A very significant amount of state funds have been appropriated for additional development and expansion of the New River Trail State Park in Pulaski County. I hope to report additional good news on this shortly and have a formal announcement this spring should I be successful in persuading the Senate to keep this measure in the conference budget. The House approved its budget by a 98-0 vote.
I want to thank the Rev. Robert Owens of the Bobwhite Boulevard Church of God in Pulaski for accepting my invitation to give the morning invocation to the House of Delegates several days ago.
Del. Morgan Griffith, R-Salem
Represents Christiansburg and eastern Montgomery County, along with western Roanoke County and Salem. Richmond office, (804) 786-7296.
Even in the long hours, we were able to find a little time for humor. Representatives from the Norfolk Zoo were visiting Richmond on Feb. 4 and distributed "goodie bags" containing various plastic zoo animal noses to each of the delegates. (Mine happened to be a walrus.) At one point during the long evening as one of the members was giving an impassioned speech in support of one of his bills, several donned noses trying to make him lose his composure.
Getting back to serious business, there have been some disturbing trends this year. In the budget bill there was language for the Northern Virginia baseball stadium that would allow the baseball stadium to be built using money from "special lottery games." I don't believe that was included when we promised all lottery funds would be expended for education. In 1995, the legislature passed a bill stating we would spend all the lottery money on education and this was touted across the state as guaranteeing that lottery money from now on would be spent only on education. At that time I called it a shell game; I still say it is a shell game, and spending lottery funds on a Northern Virginia baseball stadium just proves the point.
Del. Jim Shuler, D-Blacksburg
Represents Blacksburg, much of Montgomery County and eastern Giles County. Richmond office: (804) 786-8425.
Every January I run a newspaper questionnaire for constituent response on potential legislative issues. I appreciate those residents willing to take the time to fill out and mail their answers to me. I read the comments with interest and note the breakdown of the replies. This year 431 people returned questionnaires, and their responses represented an entire spectrum of opinion, including:
nOn a proposed constitutional amendment to change the term of office for House of Delegates members from two to four years, 69 percent indicated they would support such a move. Twelve percent indicated they were undecided on the issue. I carried this legislation in the House, and after a lively discussion about alternatives - electing members on staggered terms, changing the term of office for the Senate to six years - the bill was defeated. The idea, however, will emerge again.
nQuite frankly, I was surprised that more people in the New River Valley did not support a 5 percent raise for state employees. A majority of 65 percent endorsed the idea, but close to 30 percent said "no" to the raise. The final budget figures are not out, but the figures being considered for state employees, teachers and faculty members fluctuate between 3 percent and 5 percent.
nThe question that received the closest vote between those in favor and those opposed dealt with the reduction of the state's personal property tax with a combined increase in the sales tax to offset any loss to localities. Forty percent supported the idea, and 51 percent said "no." The idea received a good deal of attention in the press. The bill, however, failed to receive support in the Senate Finance Committee and never reached the House. I anticipate it will resurface next year.
nThe gun control question ignited the highest score. Eighty-seven percent returned questionnaires registering support for requiring a fingerprint check as part of the instant background check for purchasing a concealed weapon. That bill passed the House 56 to 42. I supported the measure. The FBI has indicated that the presence of a fingerprint check is the only way to thoroughly provide a criminal background check.
Sen. Malfourd "Bo" Trumbo, R-Fincastle
Represents Radford, Giles County and part of Pulaski County, (804) 786-6884.
Last week the Senate Finance Committee issued its report concerning proposed amendments to the state budget. The committee recommended a 4 percent pay raise for classified employees, raises of 4 percent to 7 percent for full-time college faculty and an additional 3 percent for primary and secondary school teachers.
On the local level, the Finance Committee recommended $80,000 to Pulaski County for the initial planning of a new regional commerce park; Radford University would receive $50,000 toward the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center, $150,000 for the Business Assistance Center and $100,000 to continue coordination with Virginia Western Community College.
Other New River Valley legislators include:
Del. Allen Dudley, R-Rocky Mount, represents Floyd County, (804) 786-6895.
Sen. Madison Marye, D-Shawsville, represents Montgomery County and part of Pulaski County, (804) 786-6986.
The toll-free number to leave your opinion on an issue for your legislator is: (800) 889-0229.
Write any delegate by using their name and: P.O. Box 406; Richmond, VA 23218
Write any senator by name: General Assembly Building; 910 Capitol St.; Richmond, VA 23219
LENGTH: Long : 124 lines ILLUSTRATION: GRAPHIC: (headshots) Baker, Griffith, Shuler, Trumbo. KEYWORDS: GENERAL ASSEMBLY 1997by CNB