THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, February 5, 1995 TAG: 9502050078
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY GREG SCHNEIDER AND DAVID M. POOLE, STAFF WRITERS
LENGTH: Long : 110 lines
Jerrauld C. Jones, the Democratic delegate from Norfolk, patron of the riverboat gambling bill and the one who withdrew the measure Saturday, was steamed last week when about 200 black churchgoers traveled from Norfolk to Richmond to protest.
He didn't mind seeing the people from home in the opposing camp, but he did mind how they got there.
Instead of being sponsored by the First Baptist Church of Lamberts Point and its minister, Rev. Anthony Paige, the expedition was the work of the Christian Coalition.
The conservative Coalition, Jones fumed, ``sponsors a governor who is wreaking havoc among the black community of interest in this state.''
Complaining that Gov. George F. Allen's attempt to cut budgets at historically black universities such as Norfolk State and Virginia State were ``unconscionable'' and ``criminal,'' Jones said the Norfolk church people were manipulated by the GOP.
State GOP chairman Pat McSweeney touted the group as representing the ``true leaders'' of the African-American community, standing up to pretenders who just want to use them - i.e., Jones.
The delegate just about exploded over that one. McSweeney, Jones pointed out, said during last fall's U.S. Senate race that it wasn't ``cost-effective'' for Republicans to court the black vote because African Americans have been so shackled to the Democratic Party.
``This is the same man who made insensitive remarks, and the same Republican Party that has not welcomed African-American citizens into it. . .
He put equal blame on Rev. Paige, suggesting that the prominent minister has political ambitions of his own and complaining that Paige has never asked him to explain the riverboat gambling bill.
Insisting he has pushed the measure as a way to create jobs and tax revenue for needy Hampton Roads cities, Jones challenged Paige and other dissenters to come up with a better idea. Allen asks Democrats to discuss tax reduction
On Saturday, Gov. George F. Allen released a letter to Democratic leaders urging them to ``join with me in a meaningful discussion of the level of income tax reduction, if any, the majority party is prepared to support.''
Last week, Allen's call for an income tax cut was rebuffed in the House and the Senate. Several Democrats have indicated ``a willingness to cool the rhetoric and begin a dialogue on the issues,'' he said.
However, without a concrete proposal, ``I must conclude that your suggestions of `dialogue' are hollow, and that you are unalterably - indeed, philosophically - opposed to any reduction'' in spending and taxes, he said.
Expanded fishing license stalls against opposition
It may seem otherwise, but all disagreements at the General Assembly are not between members of opposing political parties.
When Del. Robert S. Bloxom, R-Accomack County, tried to expand the reach of the saltwater fishing license last week, his most vocal opponent was fellow Republican Leo C. Wardrup of Virginia Beach.
Bloxom said he wanted to make the license apply to ocean fishing and use the extra revenue to support the Virginia Saltwater Sportfishing Tournament. Gov. George F. Allen had recommended cutting off state funding for the tournament.
Wardrup stood up and accused his partymate of the ultimate GOP sin: raising taxes.
` Wardrup points out that while most of the revenue comes from Hampton Roads, little is used by the state for what it was intended: promoting saltwater fishing.
Bloxom carried the day, but that was just a preliminary vote. The bill later stalled against increasing House opposition. Del. Wardrup softens stance on Beach wards
After hearing from some angry neighborhood leaders, Wardrup has dropped efforts to change a voter-approved revision of Virginia Beach election districts.
The Virginia Beach Republican said he opposed the modified ward plan because it would end the practice of city residents voting for all members of City Council.
The plan would create seven voting districts of equal population and an equal number of City Council seats selected only by voters living in their respective districts. Three more seats and the mayor would be elected through the current at-large system. Local House democrats oppose Allen's tax cuts
Members of the Hampton Roads delegation followed the party line in last week's committee votes on the governor's ill-fated tax cuts. On the Senate Finance Committee, Democrats Richard J. Holland of Isle of Wight; Clarence A. Holland of Virginia Beach; and Stanley C. Walker of Norfolk all voted against the cuts.
On the House Finance Committee, Democrats Howard E. Copeland of Norfolk; William K. Barlow of Smithfield; and Kenneth R. Melvin of Portsmouth voted against the cuts. The lone Hampton Roads lawmaker who had - and exercised - a chance to cast a direct vote for the initiative was Republican Harry R. Purkey of Virginia Beach. MEMO: Staff writer Margaret Edds contributed to this story.
ILLUSTRATION: Photos
Copeland
Jones
Bloxom
Wardrup
C. Holland
Walker
Melvin
KEYWORDS: GENERAL ASSEMBLY by CNB