ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, February 12, 1997 TAG: 9702120094
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-4 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: General Assembly Notebook
A letter mailed to 76,984 Virginia teachers from Gov. George Allen prompted a call in the House of Delegates on Tuesday to study the use of public money for political purposes.
The letter, sent Dec. 20, thanks teachers for their "dedicated efforts" and outlines Allen's recommendations for increasing the state education budget to pay for teaching materials, diagnostic tests, remedial education, new schools and reducing class sizes. Allen spent $25,853 of taxpayer money to mail the letter, according to the state Auditor of Public Accounts.
"That's almost $26,000 - enough to pay for a new teacher, a dozen computers, 10,000 books," said Reston Democrat Kenneth Plum, who called for the study.
Plum characterized the letter as "an effort to rewrite history in preparation for the next election." He also pointed to a package sent to Virginia's elementary schools featuring an autographed photo of Allen reading to his family and an audiotape of Allen reading stories to children. "If some of your students would like their own audiotape of Governor Allen reading these stories," an enclosed form instructs, "please have them complete this form."
It is widely speculated that Allen will run for the U.S. Senate in 2000.
Two-thirds of the members of the House of Delegates must vote today to allow Plum to introduce his resolution for the study. A majority must then approve the study.
Jail inspection bill tabled
A House of Delegates subcommittee voted 11-10 on Tuesday to table a bill that would suspend some unannounced inspections of local and regional jails by the Board of Corrections.
Such inspections were recommended in 1996 by the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission in a review of jail oversight and reporting activities. But the Department of Corrections wants them suspended during the years when the facilities are certified.
"All this [bill] does is, when a jail is performing well, we're not going to violate the province of that jail," DOC representative Mike Leininger told the committee.
Del. Kenneth Melvin, D-Portsmouth, denounced the bill's intent.
"I think it takes a lot of nerve to bring a bill like this," said Melvin. "We've had horror stories out of these jails. I think this bill is ridiculous, and I'm going to vote against it."
Campaign bill revived
On a 9-6 vote, a Senate committee backed a bill that would bar lawmakers and statewide elected officials from accepting campaign contributions while the General Assembly is in session.
The Privileges and Elections Committee revived - at least temporarily - a measure that appeared doomed after the House of Delegates approved a version so restrictive that some lawmakers said it invited defeat.
But the partisan tinge of the committee vote could mean the bill's reprieve may be short-lived.
All but one Democrat opposed the contributions ban, saying it would be a meaningless gesture that would do nothing to bolster the public trust.
Sen. Joseph Gartlan, D-Fairfax County, a past proponent of campaign finance reform, noted that lawmakers could still take money a minute before the assembly convenes and a minute after it adjourns each winter.
"And they [voters] are going to think we are cleaning up our act?" Gartlan asked. "Come on. People are smarter than that."
The bill now goes to the full Senate, which last week scrapped a similar measure contained in a broader campaign reform package.
Billboard bill survives
A bill that would allow billboard owners to cut down trees that block the view of their signs from the highway survived three attempts to water it down before being passed Tuesday by the Senate.
The legislation applies to trees up to 4 inches in diameter on public land and to ``diseased or unsightly'' trees of any size. The Virginia Department of Transportation would oversee removal of the trees.
The bill drew strong opposition from environmentalists and garden club members who worried it would harm scenery in Virginia. Some legislators also were troubled that the language about diseased trees could provide a loophole allowing many large trees to be felled.
``Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, not in the eye of VDOT,'' Sen. Joseph Gartlan said.
The bill passed 29-10 with Sen. John Edwards, D-Roanoke, abstaining because of a conflict with one of his law clients. The bill was approved Jan. 31 by the House of Delegates and now goes to Gov. George Allen.
Quote of the day
"Perhaps Mr. Hornsby would like to join the selection committee for a new state song?"
- Sen. Thomas Norment, R-Williamsburg, on the Senate floor.
"No, no, no."
Bruce Hornsby, musician and Williamsburg resident, seated in the Senate gallery Tuesday.
Noticed and noted
The General Assembly is considering special license plates for:
* Surviving spouses of people awarded certain military decorations.
* State Firefighters Association and Fire Chiefs Association.
* Historic Yorktown and Gloucester as ``Daffodil Capitol of the World.''
* Scuba divers.
* The 400th anniversary of the establishment of the Jamestown settlement.
* Certain disabled veterans.
* Law enforcement officers.
* Disabled American Veterans members.
* Fraternal Order of Police Associates members.
* Gold Wing Road Riders Association.
* Members of the Legion of Valor.
* Old Dominion Boat Club.
* Retiring Sheriff William Dorsey of Williamsburg.
* Submarine service veterans.
* Supporters of the AFL-CIO.
* Supporters of the Congress of Parents and Teachers.
* Supporters of Drive Smart Virginia.
* Supporters of the Drug Abuse Resistance Education Association (DARE).
* Supporters of the Education Foundation.
* Supporters of Gate City High School.
* Supporters of Operation Smile.
* Washington, D.C., United soccer team fans.
* Supporters of the Western Highlands Travel Council.
Staff writers Robert Little, Laura LaFay and David M. Poole and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
LENGTH: Long : 126 lines KEYWORDS: GENERAL ASSEMBLY 1997by CNB