THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, August 23, 1995 TAG: 9508230513
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B9 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY DAVID M. POOLE, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Short : 32 lines
Senior lawmakers say they will take whatever steps are necessary to force Gov. George F. Allen to keep the General Assembly informed this fall about the development of the 1996-98 state budget.
Senate Finance Chairman Hunter B. Andrews, D-Hampton, reminded Allen administration officials Monday about a state law requiring agencies to provide lawmakers with certain budget estimates.
Robert W. Lauterberg, Allen's budget director, told members of a joint money committee that he may not be at liberty to release information such as preliminary budget reduction plans.
``I will be happy to take your request to the governor,'' Lauterberg said.
``If not,'' Andrews replied, ``we have no recourse than to evoke the provisions of the law.''
Some Democratic lawmakers fear that Allen is developing a ``stealth'' budget that will keep many key decisions - particularly unpopular spending cuts - secret until after November elections.
Allen is scheduled to release his budget on Dec. 18.
Andrews would not elaborate what steps lawmakers would take to enforce the law. by CNB