THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, February 4, 1995 TAG: 9502040308
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ROBERT LITTLE AND DAVID M. POOLE, STAFF WRITERS
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium: 74 lines
General Assembly money committees began work Friday to restore some of the $403million in spending cuts proposed by Gov. George F. Allen and to grapple with a mammoth prison-construction program.
The budget-writing task followed the demise Thursday of Allen's tax-cut proposal, which would have cost $149 million in 1995-96.
The restoration of that money should let enable the legislature to override the most controversial of Allen's proposed spending reductions, including $5.9 million for law enforcement grants to localities, $13 million for dropout prevention and grants for at-risk students, and $9 million for Medicaid coverage for teenagers.
The question remains, however, whether lawmakers will be able to shield pet projects from cuts.
Allen tried to keep his tax cut agenda alive Friday by trying to force a vote in both chambers of the legislature. Using his prerogative as governor, Allen offered new budget bills to the House and Senate. But the effort realized little more than a venomous parliamentary debate and a few bruised egos.
Democrats merely condemned the tax cuts to the same committees that killed them Thursday.
Republicans tried several parliamentary tactics to get around the committee process and bring the matters directly before the legislature. They accused Democrats of cowardice for avoiding a vote on tax cuts during an election year.
``I think it is unconscionable to restrict a debate on something that has received so much attention and is deserving of our consideration,'' said Sen. Malfourd W. ``Bo'' Trumbo, R-Fincastle.
Democrats called the Republicans sore losers and accused them of trying to manipulate legislative procedures that have been in place for hundreds of years.
``What you are about today is offensive to me, because it is making a mockery of the finest legislative body in the world,'' House Majority Leader C. Richard Cranwell, D-Roanoke, told Republicans. He called the move ``pure, absolute political frivolity.''
Some suspect the governor might try again to resurrect his tax-cut plan. When asked about it, Allen said: ``You don't show the opposition the playbook.''
``I want a recorded vote for the people of Virginia - so the people of Virginia can see where the delegates stand,'' Allen said.
On the budget front, lawmakers said there was no need to restore all of the $403 million in cuts proposed by Allen. Administrative cuts and technical adjustments account for about half the amount, leaving lawmakers with about $190 million in potential spending restorations.
Budget writers met behind closed doors Friday with an eye towards a Sunday deadline.
Meanwhile, the Senate and House are headed down different paths for housing the increased inmate population that will result from Allen's sentencing and parole reforms, passed in September.
Both chambers have scaled back Allen's proposed $409 million bond package for 9,090 prison beds through the year 2005.
The Senate Finance Committee would sell $172 million in bonds for 4,834 beds and use general fund money to plan for another 2,874 beds. A House Appropriations Committee plan calls for $59 million in bonds for 2,725 beds with future projects financed on a pay-as-you-go basis.
The House and Senate will have to reconcile their differences in a joint conference committee.
Jerry Kilgore, Allen's secretary of public safety, said he favors the Senate version. ``It certainly satisfies our initial needs,'' he said.
KEYWORDS: GENERAL ASSEMBLY BUDGET by CNB