THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, December 8, 1994 TAG: 9412080485
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ROBERT LITTLE, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 89 lines
At least one member of Gov. George F. Allen's Cabinet thinks that sweeping welfare reform will glide through the state legislature in 1995.
But that doesn't mean there won't be a fight.
The volunteer group Campaign for Virginians in Need is traveling the state, trying to piece together an organized, statewide opposition to some of Allen's proposals.
Group members who visited Norfolk on Wednesday say they want only to bring a sympathetic voice to Richmond in January, when lawmakers will begin debating Allen's plan to trim $80 million from Virginia's welfare tab over the next five years.
But they're not shy about criticizing some of the details - even while acknowledging the political popularity of Allen's plan.
Among the proposals the group will target: a requirement that unwed mothers name a child's father before receiving benefits. Volunteer Steve Myers, an attorney for the Poverty Law Center, called the idea too costly and burdensome.
Another is the pilot plan passed last year - and expected to be part of Allen's 1995 agenda - thatwould force people off welfare after two years. In some cases, Myers said, two years isn't enough. The rules, he said, need to be flexible.
A third sticking point: The proposal would require welfare recipients to work, but wouldn't boost child-care or job-training. That's ``simply unrealistic,'' Myers said.
The governor won't unveil his complete welfare reform plan until next Thursday, but some pieces have trickled from the Governor's Mansion.
Last year, Myers was in a small group of volunteers lobbying for Campaign for Virginians in Need. He's convinced he could be among hundreds.
He and volunteer Joe Szakos visited Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia in Norfolk on Wednesday to teach about two dozen representatives of local churches and charities how to do battle in Richmond.
On the curriculum were lessons in influencing legislators, giving media interviews and writing letters to editors. Invitations were extended to the group's ``anti-poverty'' rally in Richmond on Jan. 16.
Participants also were asked to encourage welfare recipients to call their senators and delegates or visit Richmond to put ``a human face'' on the social programs Allen plans to slash.
The goal, organizers said, is for people who live or work in the system to form a collective voice for Virginians on welfare. And, to cast doubt on Health and Human Services Secretary Kay Cole James' assertion that Allen's welfare reform would be next year's ``most noncontroversial piece of legislation.''
``I don't think people in Richmond understand the issue,'' said Judy Schorr, representing Samaritan House in Virginia Beach. ``It's that simple. They just don't understand.''
Even organizers of the volunteer group say the state's welfare system is often ineffective and needs to change.
And they are not optimistic about stopping plans floated by Allen, who has widespread voter support and a national welfare-reform trend on his side.
But they do think compromises are needed to ensure that Allen's plans deny welfare only to those who don't deserve it. And members plan to be there - in force - every time the gavel drops in Richmond.
Next week, Myers, Szakos and others will hold similar meetings in Roanoke, Fredericksburg and Richmond.
``Last year, we took a Richmond approach,'' said Szakos, coordinator of the group's Virginia Organizing Project. ``This time, we'll take a Virginia approach.'' ILLUSTRATION: Color staff photo by JOSEPH JOHN KOTLOWSKI/
Kathy Froede, left, of Partners in Hope, and the Rev. Jo Clare
Hartsig, shelter manager of the Portsmouth Area Resources Coalition,
take part in a strategy session at Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia
on Wednesday. The session was sponsored by Campaign for Virginians
in Need, a lobbying group that seeks to focus attention on the
pitfalls of welfare reform.
KEYWORDS: WELFARE REFORM VIRGINIA PROPOSED by CNB