THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, December 13, 1995 TAG: 9512130420
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY DAVID M. POOLE, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium: 53 lines
Senate Republicans on Tuesday stayed with moderate Richmond Sen. Joseph B. Benedetti as their floor leader, despite some junior members' desires for someone more aggressive.
Benedetti, emerging from the closed-door meeting, made clear that he is remaining firm with demands that Democrats share power in the Senate, which is divided 20-20 between Republicans and Democrats.
``We need to be cooperative (with Democrats) as the situations permits us to be,'' he said. ``We in no way concede that we are in any (position) other than parity with the Democrats.''
Benedetti said he would insist that 150 key committee assignments be divided equally between the two parties and that Republicans control chairmanships of at least half of the 10 major committees.
Democrats have resisted any power-sharing arrangement, saying they hold a 21-20 advantage because Democratic Lt. Gov. Donald Beyer Jr. holds the tie-breaking vote.
The 20-20 split resulting from November's elections is unprecedented in the Virginia Senate, which has been controlled by Democrats for the entire century.
Some Republicans said they hoped the two parties could agree to an accommodation before the General Assembly convenes Jan. 10.
``Right now, people are realizing that we have to work together or nothing is going to get done,'' said Sen. Kenneth W. Stolle of Virginia Beach.
In a secret ballot, Benedetti defeated Thomas K. Norment of Williamsburg for the Republican leader position.
Norment was backed by more conservative Republicans who applaud Gov. George F. Allen's confrontational approach toward senior Democratic lawmakers.
The margin - which was expected to be close - was not announced. A smiling Norment and Benedetti appeared before reporters after the vote.
``It was a Republican love feast,'' Norment said when asked to describe the meeting.
``Lovefest,'' corrected Stolle.
``No,'' Norment replied. ``Love feast - that was not a slip of the tongue.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Sen. Joseph B. Benedetti said he would insist that 150 key committee
assignments be divided equally between the two parties and that
Republicans control chairmanships of at least half of the 10 major
committees.
by CNB