THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, October 30, 1995 TAG: 9510280022
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A9 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: Long : 120 lines
The editorial board of The Virginian-Pilot recently invited each candidate in an uncontested race for a General Assembly seat from South Hampton Roads to write a short essay.
The responses of three incumbents who are running for re-election unopposed are reprinted here. They are in each candidate's own words and reflect the issues of his or her own choosing.
85TH HOUSE DISTRICT
(Part of Virginia Beach)
ROBERT TATA
Republican/Incumbent
Historically, the Democrats have positioned themselves as the benefactors of education. This past legislative session they squandered that perceived notion and sold out the teachers and K-12 students of Virginia.
Parents of school-age children and educators need to know that a significant part of Governor Allen's 1995 education initiatives was defeated by the Democrat-controlled General Assembly. Those proposals would have dramatically improved education in Virginia.
Next time you see a Democrat incumbent running for re-election, ask why:
1. They defeated a bill which would have put standards and testing in each grade level so learning could be measured and remediated, if necessary.
2. They defeated a bill which would have returned lottery proceeds to the localities to be used for education, law enforcement or local tax relief. This was to be additional, over and above composite index school money.
3. They defeated a statewide bill which would have required all new school employees to pass a criminal-records check as a condition of employment. Currently, this is optional with each locality. Only 32 of the 134 Virginia school divisions are checking their new hires for felony convictions.
4. They defeated a statewide bill which would have protected teachers against frivolous lawsuits related to the performance of their school duties.
Parents want their children to learn in a safe, hassle-free environment. They want meaningful, measured learning to take place.
Teachers want to practice their profession and use their skills knowing they have administrative protection and community support.
It has been reported in some newspapers that in a symbolic gesture the Democrats are touring the state in yellow schoolbuses to show their support for education. The project has been an abysmal failure. Some buses broke down and those that did run were as empty as the Democrats' support for improving education this past legislative session.
90TH HOUSE DISTRICT
(Parts of Chesapeake, Norfolk
and Virginia Beach)
WILLIAM P. ROBINSON JR.
Democrat
Incumbent
In this election cycle, voters in Virginia have a choice in philosophy in determining state policy, and the direction that our state should take for years to come. Never before has so much been at stake, or the distinction more starkly displayed before the voters. The real differences in the Republican and Democratic platforms for the General Assembly were clearly articulated in the last legislative session. The governor outlined his massive budget cuts, assaulting education, the environment, our colleges and universities, Meals on Wheels, the Extension Service, meaningful welfare reform, state employees, funding for at-risk youth and dropout prevention, and funding for our cultural centers.
After receiving overwhelming public support at budget hearings across the state, the Democratic majority of both the House and Senate fought Gov. Allen's budget cuts and successfully restored the funding to these programs, as well as others. To suggest that action was undertaken by ``liberal, big-spending Democrats'' is to totally misunderstand the inclination of moderate, well-meaning Virginians. Virginia's government has been soundly managed under its Democratic stewardship.
The Republican rhetoric of the campaign trail rings hollow. When considering the assertion that Virginia's government spending is bloated and should be cut, ask the proponent of such a well-intentioned proposal specifically which programs he would cut, and by what degree. You will find him unable to articulate the specifics.
And so, Virginia, as Election Day approaches, keep in mind that Virginia's future is in your hands. Vote Democratic.
84TH HOUSE DISTRICT
(Part of Virginia Beach)
ROBERT F. McDONNELL
Republican/Incumbent
The key challenges facing state government in 1996 are increased economic development, improved public safety, better-quality public education and more efficient government. We need to build on Governor Allen's efforts in bringing 87,000 new jobs to Virginia by eliminating the punitive BPOL tax on business, and increasing the incentives offered to large corporations to invest in Virginia.
Reforming our antiquated juvenile-justice system is the top law-enforcement priority. We need to shift the focus of the system from the offender to safety of the public, transfer the most serious violent offenders to the adult system, open up the system to public scrutiny and provide greater alternatives to juvenile incarceration.
We can improve the fiscal posture of our public-education system by returning lottery proceeds to the localities to use for education. But the more important reforms needed are qualitative improvements, such as enforcing more rigid programs for disruptive students and giving immunity to teachers for disciplining students. Finally, we need to reduce the tax burden on working Virginia families. The current $800 personal and dependent exemption is the second-lowest in the country and we must increase this over time so that families have more discretionary income to provide for their own needs.
Underlining all of this is the need for public officials to provide open, honest and responsive government at every level to enhance the public trust. ILLUSTRATION: Robert Tata
William P. Robinson Jr.
Robert F. McDonnell
KEYWORDS: CANDIDATES ISSUES by CNB