THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, January 8, 1997 TAG: 9701080356
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: 213 lines
They're back.
Virginia's lawmakers convene today for a 46-day legislative session that may be remembered more for the political posturing it engenders than for the policy it produces.
The life cycle of the Virginia General Assembly - in the second year of the two-year budget, in the last year of the governor's term - leaves lawmakers with little new money to spend and few major initiatives. Many legislators will be focusing on the November elections, when governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general will be on the ballot.
The presumed gubernatorial candidates, Attorney General James S. Gilmore III and Lt. Gov. Donald S. Beyer Jr., have released similar agendas focusing on politically safe issues such as education and law enforcement.
All 100 seats of the House of Delegates also will be up for grabs. Republicans need gain only four new seats to capture control of the chamber for the first time this century.
But unlike 1995 - when all seats in the House and the Senate were up for election and the General Assembly session disintegrated to a daily cat fight between Democrats and Republicans - lawmakers are promising a civil session this year.
Republican Gov. George F. Allen, who cannot succeed himself, has proposed no dramatic initiatives that threaten to divide Democrats and Republicans. The fiercely partisan governor who once threatened to kick the Democrats' ``soft teeth down their whiny throats'' has been so affable this year that Democrats joke they hardly recognize him.
``I'm going to go up to the third floor and see if it's really him,'' said House Speaker Thomas W. Moss Jr., D-Norfolk, who calls the governor ``the de novo Allen.''
``There will always be some things that will raise the ire of some folks - the election of judges, pay for state employees,'' said Sen. John H. Chichester, a Stafford County Republican.
``But I hope all the pundits are correct and this is a fairly quiet session. So far, it seems like it will be.''
Allen has even indicated that he might be willing to soften his stance against taking almost $7 million in federal money under the Goals 2000 school improvement program. Citing the possibility of ``federal intrusion'' into Virginia's schools, he has steadfastly rejected the money, the only governor in the country to do so.
Although no sweeping initiatives appear on the horizon, the Assembly's work this winter could affect everyday lives in Virginia. Legislators will consider easing day care laws, requiring poorly performing sixth-graders to attend summer school and expanding environmental protection.
Here's a list of some of what to expect: EDUCATION
Allen has proposed $30 million in new money for public education. Of that, about $7 million would be spent to test first-graders for reading deficiencies and $6 million would be spent on teaching supplies to prepare students for new statewide tests next year. However, only $116,000 is slotted for colleges and universities, and some legislators say they believe that is not enough.
Gilmore says he will propose legislation requiring mandatory jail time for the assault of a teacher or school employee and granting immunity to teachers for ``routine acts of discipline and health-related assistance.''
Republicans say they again will seek legislation that would provide legal immunity to teachers who act in good faith to restore order in schools. Democrats have argued that the bill is unnecessary, noting that the Virginia Education Association already provides protection. This is a highly political issue. Many believe state immunity would reduce membership in the influential VEA, which is a traditional ally of the Democratic Party.
Beyer is proposing that sixth-graders who fail state tests on reading and writing be required to attend summer school.
Roanoke Sen. John S. Edwards says he will introduce legislation that would reduce college tuitions by 10 percent at a cost to the state of $45 million. SOCIAL ISSUES
Republicans will seek laws barring physicians from performing abortions on girls under 18 without notifying a parent or guardian. Similar legislation has been killed each year for more than a decade. Republicans will also seek a bill banning late-term ``partial-birth'' abortions.
Sen. Mark L. Earley, R-Chesapeake, will introduce a bill that would make doctor-assisted suicides illegal.
Allen is seeking to increase the number of children that a licensed day care provider can keep. He also wants to lower qualifications for day care workers. Democrats, led by Stanley C. Walker, D-Norfolk, hope to defeat the plan. TAXING AND SPENDING
A strong economy gives Allen and lawmakers $226 million extra to spend in the state's two-year budget. Most of the money will go to prisons, public schools and the environment.
There will be no general tax increase. A Northern Virginia senator's proposal to repeal the local personal property taxes, replacing the levy with an increase in the state sales tax, appears headed nowhere.
``Lag pay'' could become a household term as Allen and Democratic lawmakers blame each other for bungling the payroll schedule of 100,000 state workers. The solution will cost between $15 million and $70 million. ENVIRONMENT
After three years of inaction on the Chesapeake Bay, Allen will try to leave a ``green'' legacy by providing the first installment - $11 million - for reducing nutrient flow from sewage treatment plants.
Saying Allen has gone easy on polluters, Democrats will seek funding to shore up the depleted enforcement staff of the Department of Environmental Quality.
Environmental groups will seek various measures to control or limit the flow of out-of-state trash into Virginia landfills. BUSINESS
The General Assembly will be asked to take sides in a battle over lucrative fees for real estate closings. The high-stakes contest pits lawyers against a well-heeled coalition that features bankers and real estate agents.
Business groups will fight efforts to bring repetitive stress injuries under state Worker's Compensation laws. PUBLIC SAFETY
Gilmore plans to introduce laws increasing the penalties for setting churches on fire and selling cigarettes to children. He will also ask legislators to enhance the power of prosecutors and grand juries in drug cases and to limit the filing of prisoner lawsuits in Virginia's courts.
One Gilmore proposal - trying drug gang members together - is expected to face opposition from trial lawyers and others who believe it could compromise defendants' rights to a fair trial.
Beyer's proposals include expanding public access to the state's sex-offender registry and giving $8.3 million to localities for new police officers.
Laws clarifying that legislators and their aides can be charged and prosecuted for crimes committed while the General Assembly is in session will also be considered. CITY SPECIFIC
Suffolk seeks support for a computer and technology hub that would bring huge economic benefits to the area. Possibly to be located beside the military's Joint Training Analysis and Simulation Center, it will be administered by Old Dominion University but needs $750,000 in base funding and $250,000 for equipment. Last year, a request for funding didn't make either the House or Senate budget.
Portsmouth wants more money for school maintenance and construction, nearly $3 million to help complete the Children's Museum of Virginia and funds for a study to improve the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame.
Citizens in Chesapeake want the General Assembly to allow groups who collect signatures from a certain percentage of registered voters to place questions on the ballot to gauge public support. State Sen. Mark L. Earley said he would sponsor an initiative in the General Assembly to change the city's charter to allow referendum power.
Norfolk Del. George H. Heilig Jr. has proposed that a state-approved organization offer separate windstorm insurance to coastal residents. If enacted, the bill would help residents in Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth and Hampton. It also would apply to parts of Suffolk, Newport News, Gloucester County and other jurisdictions along the Chesapeake Bay. (See story, page D1)
Virginia Beach's City Council emphasizes the need for more school funding. It will also repeat its regular request for an after-Labor Day public school start, so the oceanfront tourist industry doesn't lose a large chunk of its work force during the height of the season.
Virginia Beach also wants $500,000 for the Virginia Marine Science Museum. The city will also ask for amendments easing state Department of Transportation restrictions on highway construction and laws requiring notification of the owner before the city takes action on property it deems a public safety nuisance. MEMO: Virginian-Pilot staff writers Laura LaFay, Robert Little, David M.
Poole, Karen Weintraub and Tom Shean contributed to this story. ILLUSTRATION: Graphics
Color photo
WHAT TO EXPECT
EDUCATION
Democrats will try again to force Gov. George F. Allen to accept
federal Goals 2000 funding for schools. Allen has indicated he might
accept the money if the government drops some requirements for the
program.
Republicans again will seek legislation that would provide legal
immunity to teachers who act in good faith to restore order in
schools.
ABORTION
Republicans will seek laws that would bar a physician from
performing an abortion on a girl under 18 without notifying her
parent or guardian.
TAXING AND SPENDING
Allen and lawmakers have $226 million extra to spend. Most of it
will go to prisons, public schools and the environment.
THE ENVIRONMENT
Allen will try to leave a ``green'' legacy by providing the first
installment - $11 million - for reducing nutrient flow from sewage
treatment plants into the Chesapeake Bay.
Democrats will seek funding to shore up the depleted enforcement
staff of the Department of Environmental Quality.
TO GIVE YOUR VIEWS
A toll-free hot line has been set up for citizens to express
their views on issues before the General Assembly: (800) 889-0229
MORE COVERAGE ON A6
Virginia won't have a new ``keno'' lottery game before 2000.
A woman gets a spot on the Senate Finance Committee.
Addresses and phone numbers for Hampton Roads legislators.
PILOT ONLINE
Pilot Online's Virginia Voter Net offers additional information
about the General Assembly, including:
Clickable maps to help you determine and contact your
legislators.
Links to bills sponsored by South Hampton Roads legislators for
this session and during the past two years. Plus, links to other
official General Assembly sites.
An archive of all major Virginian-Pilot stories on the Assembly
written during the session.
Lists of major campaign contributors to South Hampton Roads
legislators in the last election.
See the News page of Pilot Online at http://www.pilotonline.com
KEYWORDS: GENERAL ASSEMBLY PREVIEW