THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, November 12, 1995 TAG: 9511120007
SECTION: COMMENTARY PAGE: J4 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Editorial
LENGTH: Medium: 73 lines
When Tuesday's election results became known, pundits began to proclaim that two years of gridlock are inevitable in Richmond. They anticipate more political gamesmanship than good governing. Say it ain't so!
Virginia has a pressing agenda before it and voters expect Democrats and Republicans to find a way to start sharing credit for accomplishments, not blame for a lack thereof.
Governor Allen masterminded a divisive statewide campaign against Democrats but failed to win a majority. Wednesday, he was forced to ask Democrats to ``put this divisiveness behind us.'' Allen knows that his last two years in office will come to nothing if he can't find a way to work with the opposing party.
Not surprisingly, many Democrats are chary of cooperating with a man whose first two years were devoted to contending with them. But Democrats weren't exactly given a ringing endorsement Tuesday either. Their margin of victory was razor-thin and statewide more Republican than Democratic votes were cast. Voters will be watching to see if Democratic lawmakers try to move the state forward or stall progress.
Republicans tempted to invent embarrassing ways to make Lt. Gov. Don Beyer break tie votes also had better worry about looking like obstructionists. Especially since there is actually plenty of common ground for the parties to find.
Allen's Republicans ran on an Honest Change agenda. Democrats ought to be able to meet the governor halfway on many of its provisions.
Safe Neighborhoods shouldn't be a partisan issue. Who opposes the idea? Allen specifically wants to get tougher with violent juvenile offenders. Democrats ought to be able to agree on some obvious reforms. And both sides concede more prison space is needed. They differ only on how fast to expand it and how to finance it. Progress is surely possible.
More jobs, less wasteful government and tax reform are Allen rallying cries. During the campaign, many Democrats agreed that gradually raising the standard exemption is just and that making the BPOL less burdensome to small businesses is desirable. Budget constraints permitting, do it.
One man's waste is another's essential program, but Democrats would be wise to seek spending that can be cut. Of course, Virginia isn't Washington and the state budget is hardly bloated.
Allen has had success in wooing business to the state, but more serious targeting of industries Virginia can hope to attract is needed. When possible, state dollars should go to creating the kind of transportation and education infrastructure employers value.
Allen has usefully pushed for more rigorous education standards but has appeared to lack commitment to needed funding. Prodded by Democrats, former governors and business leaders, Allen conceded during the campaign that improving education would be a top priority for his final two years. Let's hope so.
If he's serious, Democrats should seize the opportunity. Improved education is their issue and one Virginians care deeply about. It's time to return the state-supported colleges and universities to competitive form and time to run harder to outpace national averages for public-school-student performance.
Democrats and Republicans cooperated to pass welfare-reform legislation during the last biennium. They must work together to make a success of it.
Republicans were right to complain that appointing judges has been a Democratic monopoly, practiced behind closed doors. In a state evenly split between the parties, it's time to bring the selection of judges out in the open and make it less partisan.
The above agenda ought to be more than enough to keep both parties busy until 1997 without having to resort to political shenanigans. Voters ought to monitor the performance of the General Assembly carefully and see who's willing to play and who's disrupting the game. Each should be rewarded according to his deserts at the next election. by CNB