THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, March 27, 1996 TAG: 9603260174
SECTION: ISLE OF WIGHT CITIZEN PAGE: 04 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ALLISON T. WILLIAMS, CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: WINDSOR LENGTH: Medium: 74 lines
The General Assembly's passage of legislation that lifts tolls on the Jamestown-Scotland Ferry July 1, 1997, will have a regional impact on Isle of Wight and its adjoining counties, Del. William K. Barlow, D-64th District, told Isle of Wight-Smithfield-Windsor Chamber of Commerce members.
Barlow and fellow lawmakers - Del. J. Paul Councill Jr., D-75th District, and Sen. Richard J. Holland, D-15th District - touted accomplishments of the 1996 General Assembly session at the chamber's legislative breakfast last Wednesday.
Del. Robert Nelms, R-76th District, and Sen. Fred M. Quayle, R-13th District, were also scheduled to speak, but neither showed up.
The legislation is now awaiting Gov. George Allen's signature, Barlow said.
For years, chambers and county governments in both Isle of Wight and Surry have pushed to have the ferry tolls removed. That support helped local representatives garner the legislative support needed to pass the bill, Barlow said.
``We have worked closely with all of you here in getting these tolls lifted,'' Barlow said. Representatives from the Surry Chamber attended the breakfast.
It now costs $4 for tourists to ride the ferry one way and $5 for residents to purchase books of 20 commuter tickets.
The General Assembly passed a $35 billion budget, the largest in the state's history. Most of that 4 percent increase went toward education, legislators said.
``We're trying to play catch-up,'' Councill said. ``Education, particularly higher education, has taken a hard hit over the last two bienniums.''
Locally, P.D. Camp Community College was awarded $1.8 million to renovate its Franklin campus. The money will be used to improve facilities and update technology, Councill said.
``It will enable the college to keep up with the growing needs of the community,'' he said.
The General Assembly also earmarked $4.6 million to build the Southside Farmers Market in Southampton County. The fourth of five farmers markets being built across the state, Southside will serve farmers in 10 surrounding counties and cities.
``This will benefit the entire region's agricultural community,'' Councill said. ``It is going to give small farmers in the area the opportunity to diversify their operations.''
Other majors accomplishments from the last General Assembly session include:
Establishment of a $30 million deal-closing fund that Gov. Allen will use to recruit new businesses to the state.
A two-year freeze on tuition at all state colleges.
Passage of a law enabling juvenile offenders 14 and over who have committed violent crimes to be tried as adults.
Increased funding for rehabilitating juvenile offenders and for preventative education.
Creation of a regional incentive fund that will encourage localities to work as a team to attract new businesses to a region.
Funding to provide state employees with a 4.3 percent pay increase in December 1996 and a 2 percent increase in December 1997.
Funding to give teachers a 3.75 percent raise over the next two years.
Although Virginia has not had a general tax increase since 1972, Holland says he believes that is likely to change in the near future.
``To maintain the state's AAA bond status, I believe we will need some sort of tax increase in the next two years,'' Holland said. ``I think we'll be in trouble if we don't have a modest increase.''
He said he believes the increase might appear as an increase in sales tax or a tax on services, such as laundry or mechanic's work. Currently, services are not taxed. by CNB