THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, February 23, 1995 TAG: 9502230350
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium: 54 lines
A series of closed-door meetings Wednesday produced some movement in the welfare reform stalemate, but substantial differences remain, several participants said.
``There's willingness to resolve the differences, but the differences remain large,'' said Del. Robert F. McDonnell, R-Virginia Beach.
About a dozen legislators and state officials met for an hour Wednesday morning to discuss differences between Democrat and Republican versions of plans to limit welfare benefits and require recipients to work. Staff members were instructed to craft language that might bridge some of the gaps, and the principals were slated to meet again Wednesday night.
``There was much more expressed understanding,'' said Lt. Gov. Donald S. Beyer Jr., a leader among Democrats on welfare reform. ``I didn't see irreconcilable differences.''
Del. Jerrauld Jones, D-Norfolk, was slightly less optimistic. ``We've spent a lot of time parrying back and forth, which makes me wonder if there's any real honest commitment to a resolution.''
In other action, the House:
Voted 50-48 to defeat a proposed constitutional amendment allowing Virginia governors to serve two consecutive four-year terms. When delegates first voted on the plan it appeared near passage, as 51 ``yea'' votes flashed on the tally board. But opponents - including most top Democrats - shouted in objection until three members changed their votes.
Revived a measure that would restrict a governor's right to keep documents secret under a blanket ``governor's working paper'' exemption to the Virginia Freedom of Information Act. The House voted 53-45 along party lines - with one GOP defection - to attach the FOI amendment to a Senate bill.
Voted 60-38 to weaken a consumer protection bill that would have given subpoena powers to the state Department of Agriculture and Consumer Affairs.
In the Senate, lawmakers voted 28-10 to approve a federally mandated ``motor voter'' bill that would allow residents to register to vote when they apply for driver's licenses at the Department of Motor Vehicles. Similar legislation already has been approved by the House of Delegates. The bill would become effective Jan. 1, 1996, unless the new Republican-controlled Congress lifts the mandate or Gov. George F. Allen mounts a legal challenge to the law.
The Senate also approved a bill that would allow grocery and convenience stores to sell bottled, pre-mixed alcoholic beverages - such as Bacardi Breezers or Lynchburg Lemonade - with a low-level liquor content.
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