THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, January 18, 1997 TAG: 9701180537
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Staff writers Laura LaFay, Robert Little, Philip Walzer and
Jane Evans, and The Associated Press, contributed to this report.
LENGTH: 146 lines
Lobbyists crowd state house halls as session starts
For special interests and their advocates, this first full week of the General Assembly was hunting season.
Corridors were crowded with lobbyists and people trying to buttonhole a senator or delegate in the early days of the session, before it gets too hectic.
``It's difficult to walk through the halls,'' said Sen. Charles L. Waddell, D-Loudon County. ``There'll be a line of people waiting when I get back to my office.''
This week, committee meetings and floor sessions were brief. Legislators introduced and applauded visitors in the gallery and took time to listen to lobbyists explaining their interests.
Soon, lawmakers will spend hours on the floor of the House and Senate, exhaustively debating bills.
On Wednesday, the halls of the assembly were filled with disabled Virginians and pharmacists. Thursday, the state's real estate agents and veterinarians took their turns and on Friday, Hindus came to the Capitol.
``If someone cares enough to come to Richmond, that's the most effective form of lobbying,'' John J. Davies III, D-Culpeper. ``There is nothing that sells a piece of legislation better than having someone who's directly affected.''
ALSO THIS WEEK Lawmaker would limit governor's say on council
Newport News Del. Alan A. Diamonstein would give less say to the governor and more to lawmakers in appointing the members of the State Council of Higher Education, which has recently faced stormy political waters.
Under the measure proposed Thursday, the governor would appoint only six members and the legislature would appoint five. Now, all 11 members are gubernatorial appointees, subject to confirmation by lawmakers.
The council, which oversees state-supported colleges, has faced controversy since Allen appointees became a majority on the council. Last fall, they strongly questioned the accuracy of the agency's enrollment predictions, but legislators virtually dismissed their objections.
The appointees have said they are trying to ensure better management of the agency and of colleges. But critics have feared they are trying to erode the power, and possibly force the ouster, of the agency's longtime director, Gordon K. Davies. Diamonstein is among several legislators who are strong supporters of Davies.
Appointees also would need five years' experience as senior corporate executives or as members of corporate or not-for-profit, or academic boards of directors, the bill said. It also would exclude appointees who have been state employees in the past two years.
Under such a rule, several members appointed by Allen might be barred from serving.
Score one in the college scholarship duel for Lt. Gov. Donald S. Beyer Jr. A House of Delegates committee Friday endorsed the all-but-certain Democratic gubernatorial nominee's bill to provide full scholarships for second-year community college students who earn a B average in their first year. Tuesday is the earliest the measure could be debated in the House.
Del. David Brickley has a dream for northern Virginia mass transit in the 21st century. The Dale City Democrat will propose that the state study a light-rail system for Prince William, Loudon and Fairfax counties and the cities of Manassas, Manassas Park, Fairfax and Alexandria that would link up with Metro and Virginia Railway Express trains.
NOTICED & NOTED
Lobbyist saves puppy
A black puppy, tied up near the guard's booth outside the Capitol Wednesday caught the eye of Norfolk resident Kathleen S. Blanchard, who had come to the General Assembly to lobby on behalf of senior citizens. The dog, a stray, had been tied up to wait for Animal Control.
``It's yours if you want it,'' a guard told Blanchard.
Blanchard did. She took the female mixed Labrador home, bathed her, took her to the vet and paid for her shots. The dog is gentle and housebroken, says Blanchard, but she needs a new home because she does not get along with Blanchard's four cats. ``And they were here first.''
``I have not named her because I'm kind of afraid to get attached to her,'' says Blanchard.
``I've told the story of how we all found her and various people have suggested names like, `Richie' for Richmond. But she's such a beautiful dog. I couldn't give her a trite name like that.''
Congressman Robert C. Scott visited the General Assembly Friday.
Scott, whose Third District includes parts of Hampton Roads, served in the House of Delegates 1977-82 and the Virginia Senate, 1983-92.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
``There is absolutely no place in our dialogue here in Virginia or anywhere in the United States for such violence as we've seen yesterday. Whatever the target, whatever the reason, this is an opportunity to make it clear we condemn violence in any form like this.''
Abortion opponent Sen. Mark L. Earley, R-Chesapeake, speaking on the Senate floor about the bombing of an abortion clinic in Atlanta.
WHAT'S NEXT
Monday, floor sessions begin at noon. . . . It is also the last day for lawmakers to submit bills for consideration. . . . Every Monday at 4 p.m. during the session, Speaker Thomas W. Moss Jr. hosts the Tidewater Caucus. Legislative liaisons and lobbyists for the cities of Hampton Roads sit down to talk about concerns of their cities and the region.
GETTING INVOLVED
Public hearings are scheduled on several measures of keen public interest this week.
Participants must sign up to speak prior to a hearing's start. Generally, people should arrive at the hearing room up to one hour early to sign up. On the schedule:
People with points of view on whether the state should allow charter schools - public schools freed from some state policies and regulations with the exception of the Standards of Quality - are invited to speak Monday at 10 a.m., House Room D, General Assembly Building. (The bill number: HB1751).
Tuesday at 10 a.m. there is a public hearing on a proposal to lower personal property taxes.
The proposal calls for increasing the state sales tax from 3.5 percent to 5 percent and giving the extra money to locales, which in turn would reduce personal property taxes.
Senate Room B, the General Assembly Building. (The bill number: SB750).
A one-hour hearing, 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Senate Room A, General Assembly Building. is scheduled for the proposed ``parents rights amendment.''
Registration for speakers: 7 to 7:15 p.m.; 30 minutes will be allocated for testimony on each side of the issue.
The proposal would amend the state constitution to read ``The right of parents to direct the upbringing and education of their children is a fundamental right.''
Supporters say the change would merely affirm the right of parents to raise their children.
Opponents argue the bill is an attempt to strip school boards of authority and to challenge curriculum, homework assignments and school policies. (The bill number: SJR 98) MEMO: general assembly 1997 proposed bills
ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Newport News Del. Alan A. Diamonstein would give lawmakers more
appointing power, the governor less.
Photo
Mark Earley