THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, February 12, 1997 TAG: 9702120545
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Staff writers Robert Little, Laura LaFay and David M. Poole,
and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
LENGTH: 151 lines
Governor's letter to teachers cost taxpayers $25,853
A letter mailed to 76,984 Virginia teachers from Gov. George F. Allen prompted a call in the House of Delegates Tuesday to study the use of public money for political purposes.
The letter, sent Dec. 20, thanks teachers for their ``dedicated efforts'' and outlines Allen's recommendations for increasing the state education budget to pay for teaching materials, diagnostic tests, remedial education, new schools and reducing class size. Allen spent $25,853 of taxpayer money to mail the letter, according to the state Auditor of Public Accounts.
``That's almost $26,000 - enough to pay for a new teacher, a dozen computers, 10,000 books,'' said Reston Democrat Kenneth R. Plum, who called for the study.
Plum characterized the letter as ``an effort to rewrite history in preparation for the next election.''
He also pointed to a package sent to Virginia's elementary schools featuring an autographed photo of Allen reading to his family and an audiotape of Allen reading stories to children. ``If some of your students would like their own audiotape of Gov. Allen reading these stories,'' instructs an enclosed form, ``please have them complete this form.''
It is widely speculated that Allen will run for the U.S. Senate in 2000.
Two-thirds of the members of the House of Delegates must vote today to allow Plum to introduce his resolution for the study. A majority must then approve the study.
ALSO TUESDAY
Bill to suspend jail inspections is tabled
A House of Delegates subcommittee voted 11-10 on Tuesday to table a bill that would suspend some unannounced inspections of local and regional jails by the Board of Corrections.
Such inspections were recommended in 1996 by the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission in a review of jail oversight and reporting activities. But the Department of Corrections wants them suspended during the years when the facilities are certified.
``All this (bill) does is, when a jail is performing well, we're not going to violate the province of that jail,'' DOC representative Mike Leininger told the committee.
Portsmouth Del. Kenneth Melvin denounced the bill's intent.
``I think it takes a lot of nerve to bring a bill like this,'' said Melvin. ``We've had horror stories out of these jails. I think this bill is ridiculous and I'm going to vote against it.''
On a 9-6 vote, a Senate committee backed a bill that would bar lawmakers and statewide elected officials from accepting campaign contributions while the General Assembly is in session.
The Privileges and Elections Committee revived - at least temporarily - a measure that appeared doomed after the House of Delegates approved a version so restrictive that some lawmakers said it invited defeat.
But the partisan tinge of the committee vote could mean the bill's reprieve may be short-lived.
All but one Democrat opposed the contributions ban, saying it would be a meaningless gesture that would do nothing to bolster the public trust.
Republicans replied that the bill would be a small step that ensures no money changes hands when lawmakers are doing the people's business.
``The fact of the matter is that it doesn't look right to the people of Virginia,'' said Sen. William T. Bolling, R-Hanover.
Last year, one-quarter of the state's 140 lawmakers reported at least one contribution on dates that fell during the annual Assembly session. Virginia is one of 26 states that allow such contributions.
The bill now goes to the full Senate, which last week scrapped a similar measure contained in a broader campaign reform package.
The bill that would allow an NHL hockey arena in downtown Norfolk to pay for itself partly with ticket surcharges and taxes collected on the site got a preliminary nod in the state Senate Tuesday.
The bill passed the Local Government committee without objections, but will likely be sent to the Senate Finance Committee for further review.
Norfolk lawmakers are hoping for legislative permission to finance a hockey arena partially with the tax money the arena would generate. The state must grant an exception for that to happen because such funds would otherwise go into the state treasury.
Negotiators for Gov. Allen added a clause to make clear that any money borrowed for a new arena would not apply against Virginia's credit and thus affect the state's perfect bond rating.
Virginia Beach Sen. Edward Schrock tried to amend the bill to apply to a soccer stadium in his city - a clause that was removed from earlier versions of the bill - but he failed.
Stafford Sen. John Chichester, co-chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, said he will request the measure be debated before his panel next. The financing plan already has passed the House of Delegates, but would have to be approved there again because of the changes.
A bill that would allow billboard owners to cut down trees that block the view of their signs from the highway survived three attempts to water it down before being passed Tuesday by the Senate.
The legislation applies to trees up to four inches in diameter on public land and to ``diseased or unsightly'' trees of any size. The Virginia Department of Transportation would oversee removal of the trees.
The bill passed 29-10 with Roanoke Sen. John Edwards abstaining because of a conflict with one of his law clients. The bill was approved Jan. 31 by the House of Delegates and now goes to Gov. Allen.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
``Perhaps Mr. Hornsby would like to join the selection committee for a new state song?''
- Sen. Thomas K. Norment Jr., on the Senate floor.
``No, no, no.''
- Bruce Hornsby, musician and Williamsburg resident, seated in the Senate gallery Tuesday.
NOTICED & NOTED
The General Assembly is considering special license plates for:
Surviving spouses of people awarded certain military decorations.
State Firefighters Association and Fire Chiefs Association.
Historic Yorktown and Gloucester as ``Daffodil Capitol of the World.''
Scuba divers.
The 400th anniversary of the establishment of the Jamestown settlement.
Certain disabled veterans.
Law enforcement officers.
Disabled American Veterans members.
Fraternal Order of Police Associates members.
Gold Wing Road Riders Association.
Members of the Legion of Valor.
Old Dominion Boat Club.
Retiring Sheriff William Dorsey of Williamsburg.
Submarine service veterans.
Supporters of the AFL-CIO.
Supporters of the Congress of Parents and Teachers.
Supporters of Drive Smart Virginia.
Supporters of the Drug Abuse Resistance Education Association (DARE).
Supporters of the Education Foundation.
Supporters of the Gate City High School.
Supporters of Operation Smile.
Washington D.C. United soccer team fans.
Supporters of Western Highlands Travel Council.
KEY DATES
Feb. 17: Deadline for committee action on legislation.
Feb. 18: Midnight deadline for conference committee to reach compromise on budget.
Feb. 20: Vote on budget.
Feb. 22: Adjournment.
March 24: Last day for governor to sign, veto or amend legislation.
April 2: One-day reconvened session to act on governor's amendments and vetoes. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Melvin Schrock
KEYWORDS: GENERAL ASSEMBLY 1997