THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, February 4, 1996 TAG: 9602040098
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Long : 115 lines
With the backing of Gov. George F. Allen, Del. J. Randy Forbes of Chesapeake appears to have wrapped up his election this spring as chairman of the state Republican party.
In fact, Forbes likely will be unopposed for the post when the GOP elects a new chairman at a state convention in Salem at the end of May. Allen's strong support has warded off two potential opponents - Kay Coles James, a former member of the governor's cabinet and newly named dean of the School of Government at Pat Robertson's Regent University; and James Chapman, a Virginia Beach lawyer and two-time unsuccessful candidate for Congress.
Several GOP activists said the mild-mannered Forbes appears to be the ideal person to help unite the often warring evangelical and moderate wings of the party. He is being supported by both groups.
Forbes considers himself a Christian conservative and has solidly supported the right wing on bellwether issues such as abortion. But he also has built a reputation as a pragmatic and approachable legislator, which many moderates say has put their minds at ease.
Forbes acknowledges that achieving party unity will be the biggest challenge of the job.
``I'm not wearing rose-colored glasses,'' he said.
``If it takes six turns to do something by persuasion or one turn to do it by intimidation, you'll see me take all six tries at persuasion, because that's ultimately how you change things.''
If elected, Forbes would replace Patrick McSweeney, a Richmond lawyer who chose not to seek a second term as chairman. McSweeney's tenure was rocked two years ago by accusations that the chairman tried to undermine Allen's 1993 gubernatorial campaign. Allen sought to oust McSweeney, but fell slightly short of the two-thirds vote needed by party leaders. Some moderate Republicans also accused McSweeney of being heavy-handed in his approach.
Forbes, the GOP floor leader in the House of Delegates, is Allen's hand-picked candidate this year. He was influential two years ago in helping Allen win passage of a no-parole plan. He also is being backed by Attorney General James S. Gilmore III, who is expected to win the gubernatorial nomination next year.
Forbes recently acknowledged that exposure and connections from a four-year stint as party chairman could come in handy if he seeks to run for higher political office in the future. ``Anytime you do a good job at something, you hope it will lead to something else,'' he said. ``At this point, I don't know what that something else is.''
- Warren Fiske
Budget revisions abound as lawmakers seek funds
From the frivolous to the sublime, budget amendments flowed into the capitol last week.
Before the deadline for introduction passed, there were about 2,200 ideas for altering Gov. George Allen's proposed $34.6 billion biennial budget. The additional requests totaled about $5.2 billion.
Many of the proposed amendments had a distinctly local flavor, and the success of lawmakers in actually ``bringing home the bacon'' may prove to be an exercise in pure clout. Those with powerful positions, and chits to call in, often wind up with more money for pet projects than those who don't.
Norfolk State University, Old Dominion University, the Virginia Port Authority and a variety of local organizations figure in the budget lottery. A few of the dozens of local requests:
Sen. Stanley Walker, D-Norfolk, is seeking $1.7 million to pay for half the cost of dredging a 50-foot anchorage in the Port of Hampton Roads. That's one of more than 100 budget amendments sponsored by Walker, who's co-chairman of the Senate Finance Committee.
House Speaker Thomas W. Moss Jr., also of Norfolk, is requesting $1.2 million over two years to re-establish a mobile toxin analysis lab to monitor water quality in the Elizabeth River. Such a lab fell victim to past budget cuts.
Del. George H. Heilig Jr. of Norfolk asked for $1 million for a new education center at the Norfolk Botanical Gardens.
Del. William P. Robinson Jr., D-Norfolk, is seeking $100,000 to restore the Crispus Attucks Theatre, a historic landmark in the city.
- Margaret Edds
Conflict-of-interest bill to be voted on Monday
Sen. Frederick M. Quayle didn't know if he wanted to get involved in the Portsmouth quarrel over whether court clerks can be married to judges.
But the rest of the General Assembly apparently wants to, so the Chesapeake Republican is leading the charge.
Quayle offered a bill that would prohibit spouses of judges from running for Circuit Court Clerk, and vice versa.
A real-life situation underlies the proposed law: Last year, Portsmouth Circuit Court Judge Johnny E. Morrison's wife, Cynthia Morrison, ran for Circuit Court Clerk. Cynthia Morrison lost the Democratic primary, but many still fumed over the potential conflict of interest.
A constituent asked Quayle to propose a law making it illegal.
Aware of the controversy, Quayle wasn't exactly enthusiastic about wading into the middle of it. He entered the bill ``by request,'' legislature lingo for ``only because someone asked me to.''
But the Senate's Committee on General Laws thought it was a fabulous idea, and approved it Tuesday 14-0. The full Senate - Quayle included - voted Friday to put it to a vote Monday. ``I left it to their wisdom,'' Quayle said.
- Robert Little
Purkey doubts unionists' visit is a coincidence
It's deja vu all over again for Virginia Beach Del. H.R. ``Bob'' Purkey.
His bill limiting workers compensation benefits to retired workers is set to be heard Monday by the House Labor and Commerce Committee. The hearing will coincide with a visit to the General Assembly by labor unionists, who strongly oppose the bill.
The same thing happened last year, which Purkey finds hardly a coincidence.
Purkey said allowing employees to collect both workers comp and retirement benefits amounts to ``double-dipping'' that runs up costs for employers. Union officials say it is unfair to link the two payments because one compensates employees for job-related injuries and the other is an earned benefit.
KEYWORDS: GENERAL ASSEMBLY by CNB