THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, January 29, 1997 TAG: 9701290522
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Staff writers Robert Little, David M. Poole and Philip Walzer
and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: 178 lines
Entire state Senate to consider ban on casino gambling
The state Senate will consider whether to make casino gambling banned by the Virginia Constitution, a proposal from a Chesapeake senator that cleared its first legislative test Tuesday.
The Senate Privileges and Elections committee voted 8-3 to amend the Constitution to prohibit keno, slot machines or other casino-style gambling. Games already approved, such as the lottery and horse racing, would not be affected.
Opponents said they weren't supporting gambling, merely objecting to amending the Constitution.
``I've been totally opposed to casino gambling, but I don't think this is something we should put in the Constitution,'' said Sen. Richard J. Holland, an Isle of Wight Democrat who voted against the bill.
``Can't we just not vote for it and it doesn't happen?'' asked Sen. Mary Margaret Whipple, D-Arlington, another opponent.
``You could,'' responded Sen. Mark L. Earley, R-Chesapeake, sponsor of the bill. ``This would be to settle the issue for the future. This takes gambling off the table for good.''
Earley's bill goes before the full Senate for a vote, which could come this week. Like any constitutional amendments, it would not take effect unless it passes the General Assembly twice and is approved by statewide referendum.
ALSO TUESDAY
Tobacco tax increase idea goes up in smoke
The Senate killed a proposal to raise taxes on tobacco Tuesday - another Madison Marye initiative up in smoke.
Marye, a Shawsville Democrat, had proposed gradually raising the tax on cigarettes 10 cents a pack and imposing a tax in cigars and chewing tobacco. He argued that the inelastic demand for tobacco products makes them a convenient source of additional state revenue.
``I don't think the price of cigarettes makes one bit of difference in the amount of people who are going to buy them,'' said Marye. Marye presented his bill Tuesday to the Senate Finance Committee, which killed it on a voice vote.
Anthony Troy, a pro-tobacco lobbyist, said that when Massachusetts raised its rates and New Hampshire did not, New Hampshire sold twice as many cigarettes. And the smoking rate in New Hampshire was no higher.
``I think I like your bottle bill just a little bit better,'' said Bristol Republican William Wampler, referring to Marye's perennial effort to put a surcharge on recyclable bottles.
``You know, Mr. Chairman,'' Marye said, ``I was going to talk about the bottle bill.
``Please don't, senator,'' replied Sen. John Chichester, R-Fredericksburg, co-chairman of the Finance Committee.
Physicians and HMOs aren't about to turn their swords into scalpels. But the powerful interest groups have reached a truce in their high-stakes battle over the future of managed health care.
``Peace in the valley,''' declared Norfolk Del. George H. Heilig Jr., Democratic chairman of the House Corporations, Insurance and Banking committee.
The two sides have agreed to legislation that would continue a study of patient choice of doctors and would set up an improved toll-free complaint hot line.
Health care was a dominant issue in the 1996 General Assembly.
Insurance companies - backed by business leaders - pushed managed care to hold down health care costs. Physicians complained insurers were going too far, restricting access to care and putting profit before patients.
The Assembly passed a few reforms, such as allowing women to see their gynecologists without prior OK from a primary-care physician.
Madeline Wade, lobbyist for the Virginia Medical Society, predicted that an improved complaint hot line will act as a deterrent to insurance companies that unreasonably restrict patient access to care.
Before the committee vote, Heilig joked with Wade that he could assure passage of the compromise bill this year if she promised not to resume the battle next year. ``No, sir,'' she replied, prompting laughter.
The Senate advanced for a final floor vote legislation banning so-called automobile ``tent sales,'' which bring several car dealers together in one location.
Supporters of the proposal say the one-day sales events promote a carnival atmosphere where consumers can be misled.
But consumer advocates say the bill is an anti-competitive measure pushed by car dealers, who are trying to cut credit unions' rising share of the car loan market.
The measure cleared a divided Senate Transportation Committee, 10-5. A final vote in the full Senate is scheduled for today.
Republicans who have tried for years to create term limits for legislators figured out how to side-step opposition and bring the matter to the Senate floor Tuesday: vote while the opponents aren't around.
The Senate Privileges and Elections Committee approved a bill that would impose 12-year limits on the service of state senators and delegates. The full Senate will now consider the measure, perhaps as early as Thursday.
The 15-member committee normally wouldn't have the votes to pass a term limits bill, but the vote was called while only eight members were in the room. It passed 7-2, with one opponent voting by proxy.
``I believe we do have term limits, and they're called elections,'' said bill opponent Arlington Sen. Mary Margaret Whipple, a Democrat.
Whipple spoke for several minutes on the issue despite the solid convictions on each side. She stopped when it became apparent her fellow Democrats weren't going to show. The session of the full Senate ran uncharacteristically long Tuesday, and several members were in subcommittee meetings when the vote was taken.
The sponsor of the bill, Winchester Republican Russell Potts, seemed pleased.
``We're going to the floor!'' he shouted, pumping a fist in the air as he left the hearing. ``To the floor! To the floor!''
In an early step, a House subcommittee endorsed a plan to grant in-state tuition rates to spouses and children of out-of-state military personnel - if the spouses register to vote in Virginia.
Virginia, like many other states, gave in-state tuition rates to military dependents until the state budget cuts of the early '90s.
The tuition breaks would cost colleges an estimated $5 million a year; the bill would not provide any funding. The measure now goes to the full Appropriations Committee.
Legislation setting minimum staffing levels for day care centers cleared a House committee.
The bill by Del. Julia A. Connally, D-Arlington, is intended to prevent the Virginia Day Care Council from watering down regulations now in effect. Lt. Gov. Donald S. Beyer Jr. urged the Health, Welfare and Institutions Committee to send the bill to the House floor.
The bill would require one day-care worker for every four children ages 16 months and younger; one for every five children from 16 months to 2 years; one for every 12 children between age 2 and elementary school age; and one for every 20 school-age children.
The Senate passed a bill increasing the fine for passing a stopped school bus from $50 to $250.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
``I believe I am the only senator who represents Mike Farris, Oliver North and Lyndon LaRouche.''
- Sen. Charles Waddell, a Democrat who represents an area of Northern Virginia
NOTICED AND NOTED
Putting the bite on dogs
Rippling through some dog-loving circles of late is word of a proposed law that would drastically affect owners of Rottweilers, pit bulls and other breeds.
Not exactly.
Coming up in committee Monday, the proposal would require owners of dangerous dogs to spay or neuter and carry liability insurance of at least $50,000 that covers animal bites. The new law would apply only to owners of dogs the courts have found ``dangerous,'' with a proven history of mauling and biting.
The Virginia Beach City Council unanimously passed a resolution Tuesday condemning a General Assembly proposal that would limit cities' rights to charge for using public rights of way. The Senate and House are now considering similar bills that would exempt telephone companies from having to pay to run their cables across public land.
Council member Louisa M. Strayhorn, who testified against the bills in Richmond last week, said she thinks the bills would unfairly favor telephone companies at the expense of taxpayers:
``We have other citizens pay for their right of way and all of a sudden we have businesses that have the opportunity to make millions and they don't have to pay?''
GETTING INVOLVED
Today is PTA day at the General Assembly. ILLUSTRATION: Richard J. Holland
Mark L. Earley
George H. Heilig Jr.
KEYWORDS: GENERAL ASSEMBLY