THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Friday, May 17, 1996                   TAG: 9605170530
SECTION: LOCAL                    PAGE: B7   EDITION: FINAL 
DATELINE: RICHMOND                           LENGTH: Short :   27 lines

ALLEN ASKS COURT TO ISSUE A RULING IN BUDGET DISPUTE

Gov. George F. Allen on Thursday asked the Virginia Supreme Court to decide whether the General Assembly violated the state constitution by sending him only portions of an amended budget bill.

The Republican governor claimed the Democrat-controlled assembly's refusal to submit the entire 1994-96 spending plan was an attempt to undermine his line-item veto authority.

``At stake is the value and usefulness of the governor's item veto power - a vitally important check and balance which the people of Virginia included in their constitution to prevent legislative spending excesses and ensure a balanced budget,'' Allen said in a letter to legislators.

The disputed bill affects only changes in the spending plan for the final months of the current biennium, which ends June 30. Allen refused to sign the bill, saying the assembly's actions made it void. by CNB