THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, November 22, 1994 TAG: 9411220620
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY WARREN FISKE, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: WILLIAMSBURG LENGTH: Medium: 72 lines
The nation's Republican governors had a sharp message for Congress on Monday: Get off our backs.
In the middle of a three-day meeting at the Williamsburg Lodge, the 30 GOP governors and governors-elect formed a strong consensus that states need more flexibility from Washington in reforming welfare, dealing with environmental concerns and controlling public education.
The governors will convey that message today to two top leaders of the newly elected Republican-controlled Congress: Sen. Robert Dole of Kansas, who is expected to become Senate majority leader when Congress reorganizes in January; and Rep. Newt Gingrich of Georgia, who is in line to become Speaker of the House.
Dole and Gingrich are slated to address the assembly this morning.
In a short speech Monday morning, Virginia Gov. George F. Allen called on his Republican brethren to end the ``suffocating decision-making in Washington by isolated bureaucrats, judges and politicians who say one size fits all. It is our responsibility to bring back accountable, non-interfering government.''
Allen called the GOP governors, who in January will control a majority of the statehouses for the first time in three decades, ``the leaders of a new revolutionary army.''
With Republicans set to control Congress for the first time in 40 years, Allen and many other GOP governors foresaw an opportunity for the states to gain greater control of their destinies.
``I can assure you that we can design better programs than the federal government,'' said Gov. Tommy G. Thompson of Wisconsin. ``For 40 years, the federal government has been consolidating power and it's been a complete failure.''
Gov. Pete Wilson of California said the federal government should turn over total control of welfare programs to the states. Wilson said complicated federal regulations often stymie creative proposals from the states to overhaul the welfare system.
``If we have to wait for the centralized command of Washington, reform becomes futile,'' Wilson said. ``It's a wasted exercise.''
Gov.-elect George W. Bush of Texas, whose father was the last Republican president, put it simply: ``I'm not the least bit bashful about saying to senators and representatives of both parties that Texas can run its own business.''
The meeting was attended by scores of lobbyists, media consultants and policy analysts seeking connections with the GOP governors. Republicans gained 11 gubernatorial seats in the Nov. 8 elections.
Allen said the meeting has provided him with an opportunity to exchange policy ideas. He said governors from several states have requested information about his $2 billion proposal to abolish parole in Virginia.
Allen used the occasion to beef up his case for the extradition of Christopher Goins to Virginia to face capital murder charges. Goins is charged with slaying two adults and three children in a Richmond housing project last month. He was captured last week in New York City.
Allen said he is concerned that outgoing New York Gov. Mario Cuomo, a Democrat who opposes the death penalty, may be reluctant to extradite Goins. Should there be a problem with Cuomo, Allen said he received assurances from Gov.-elect George E. Pataki of New York that Goins would be sent back to Virginia next year.
The governors spent much of Monday morning rejoicing over the recent Republican landslides.
``The 1994 election was the greatest midterm sweep of this century,'' said Haley Barbour, chairman of the Republican National Commitee. ``It was a tidal wave, a tsunami.''
KEYWORDS: REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR'S CONVENTION WILLIAMSBURG by CNB