THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, February 7, 1997 TAG: 9702070616
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY DAVID M. POOLE, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: 46 lines
Gov. George F. Allen on Thursday credited steps by the public - such as paying higher prices at the pump - for improved air quality in Hampton Roads.
Allen played down the role of the enhanced Federal Clean Air Act. ``Laws do matter,'' he said, ``but I think what also deserves credit is the actions of people.''
At a wide-ranging press conference, Allen also offered his mid-point assessment of the 1997 General Assembly session. He said he was pleased that some of his major budget initiatives - such as remedial reading for first-graders and nutrient reduction in the Chesapeake Bay - are still alive.
Allen vowed to veto legislation that would strip power from his conservative appointees on the State Board of Elections.
He also said he would sign only a ``true'' parental notification bill that requires minors to notify their parents or guardians - not farflung relatives - undergoing abortions.
``It's a fraud on the people,'' Allen said of a House of Delegates bill that allows young women to notify adult siblings and grandparents. He vetoed a similar bill two years ago.
Allen also said he would be inclined to sign a bill bringing hearing loss and carpal tunnel injuries under workman compensation, provided the injuries as ``truly, clearly and demonstrably'' related to work.
On another matter, Allen and Attorney General James S. Gilmore III claimed victory against federal education officials over discipline.
The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled the Department of Education exceeded its bounds in threatening to withhold $40 million from Virginia if the state expelled disabled students, even if disciplinary problems were not related to their disabilities.
``Just because someone has disabilities, doesn't give them the right to beat up a teacher,'' Allen said.
The White House may appeal, saying the state must continue educating disabled students. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Gov. George F. Allen points out Virginia's declining ozone levels as
Attorney General James S. Gilmore III, left, and Becky Norton
Dunlop, secretary of natural resources, look on. Allen credited the
public for improved air quality in Hampton Roads.