THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, April 10, 1996 TAG: 9604100489
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Column
SOURCE: Guy Friddell
LENGTH: Medium: 62 lines
George Allen, who makes a habit of confronting crossroads, will meet next Wednesday what may be his biggest thus far as Virginia's governor.
At stake is $6.7 million, Virginia's share of federal aid in Goals 2000, a program born at a summit of state governors at, of all places, the University of Virginia, blessed by President Bush, no flaming liberal he.
Could there be a better site than Jefferson's university or a more prudent advocate of state-federal relations than conservative Bush?
Yet, in the first distribution of funds, the governor rejected Virginia's share of nearly $2 million. In this second round, the pot for us is nearly $7 million.
On the first round, other state governors were happy to have their shares enhanced by Allen's surrender of Virginia's portion. They'd be elated for a second helping of Virginia's gravy.
The governor's contention is that a gift of federal dollars brings the feds into our schools.
But nearly any handout at any level of government has strings. Gov. Allen is prone to pull them as he would now if he ignores pleas of local school boards famished for aid.
The federal government is Virginia's biggest employer. Its largess also is everywhere. Needy women on the WPA sowed Norfolk's Botanical Garden. Federal aid nourished Norfolk Arena, part of what is now Harrison Opera House, home of Virginia Opera. Scope and Chrysler Hall grew on federal aid.
If the governor wants to make a political point, why not rebuff millions infusing schools in Virginia Beach and Norfolk through federal impact aid, which every president since Ike has tried to abolish? The governor is like a bully who picks the class runt to push around.
Nor is that the end of his intrusion in schools. Irked at showings on test scores, he proposed spending $23 million for a firm to formulate a new test.
If the governor is bent on testing a generation already the most tested ever, give the job of shaping yet another test to excellent education departments in Virginia's universities. They'd jump at the chance to do it at cost. Devote the money saved to books, computers or teachers. Needs are endless.
Next Wednesday the General Assembly will reconvene to consider the governor's amendments to bills and possible vetos, including the budget bill.
The Assembly agreed to fund a new test for three or four grades. It proposed that if two-thirds of Virginia's school boards approve, Goals 2000 aid would be given to localities to improve teachers' performance and buy materials. It is a wise, fair offer of compromise, one the governor should grasp.
Gov. Allen talks much of ``empowering the people.'' The question is whether he will recognize the voices from the grass roots. ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
Nearly any handout at any level of government has strings. Gov.
Allen is prone to pull them as he would now if he ignores pleas of
local school boards famished for aid.
by CNB