DATE: Sunday, September 28, 1997            TAG: 9709270662

SECTION: FRONT                   PAGE: A10  EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: DECISION '97

                                            LENGTH:  157 lines

TALKING WITH THE CANDIDATES

GILMORE'S SPENDING AND POLICY PRIORITIES

THE QUESTIONS:

GILMORE'S ANSWERS:

When you are putting together your first budget as governor - or

amending Gov. Allen's final budget - what principles would guide

your thought process as you set spending priorities?

There is a consensus among economists that Virginia's economy

will continue to grow at a brisk pace over the next several years.

With this sustained economic growth, general fund revenues will

easily grow by at least $5.5 billion over the next five years. I

will use these new revenues to expand hope and opportunity for all

Virginians.

My first priority is to make Virginia's schools the highest

quality and safest schools in the nation.

My second priority is easing the tax burden on hard-working

Virginians.

My third priority is making Virginia's neighborhoods safer.

What sacrifices do your spending plans require Virginians to

make?

For too long, state government has commanded Virginians to

sacrifice. As governor, I will use the economic growth generated by

hard-working Virginians to give them much-deserved tax relief and to

expand educational opportunities.

Key leaders for both parties in the General Assembly have

expressed doubt that a car tax cut is in the best interests of the

state and would be approved by the General Assembly. How will you

convince them?

I have a responsible plan to give tax relief to the families of

Virginia. My proposal to eliminate the personal property tax will

leave more money in the hands of Virginia's families.

Naturally, it has drawn the ire of the high-tax lobby. Nay-sayers

believe tax relief is always a bad idea. There are those who said we

couldn't abolish parole, but we did. As governor, I will point to

the people's support as a mandate to eliminate the personal property

tax.

I believe the democratic process will ensure that Virginians

receive the tax relief that they need and deserve, and I am

committed to making it happen.

Is your tax cut an iron-clad promise to voters or are there

conditions? If so, what are those conditions?

My plan to eliminate the personal property tax on cars and trucks

is an iron-clad commitment I make to the people of Virginia. There

is a consensus among economists that Virginia will maintain its

current strong economic growth for years to come.

If the economists are wrong and the economy takes a drastic

downturn, I will still implement my initiatives. I will simply phase

in my tax cut slower than currently planned, but I will still get

rid of the tax. It is imperative that we govern in a fiscally

responsible manner and cut the car tax.

Is state government wasteful with taxpayers' money? Give us three

examples that support your opinion.

Wasteful spending is always a concern. As governor, I will

constantly seek ways to make government more efficient.

In this information age, it makes sense that state government do

all it can to eliminate excess paperwork and conduct as much

business as possible by computer. That's why I computerized the

Attorney General's office and will seek more ways to allow

government to take advantage of new technology.

I will also do all I can to eliminate waste, fraud and abuse.

Furthermore, I do not think it is necessary for government to

keep growing at a rate higher than the rate of personal income

growth.

BEYER'S SPENDING AND POLICY PRIORITIES

BEYER'S ANSWERS

When you are putting together your first budget as governor - or

amending Gov. Allen's final budget - what principles would guide

your thought process as you set spending priorities?

Education will get the most attention: smaller class sizes, more

testing and remedial help, higher teacher standards and pay, better

classroom discipline, more computers, new scholarships for college,

and need-based aid at an all-time high.

My budget will cut the personal property tax for the average

taxpayer, the corporate income tax for small businesses and the

sales tax on nonprescription drugs.

The budget will provide funding to: clear the backlog in the

crime-fighting DNA databank, hire more day-care inspectors, help

build industrial and high-tech office parks, expand worker training

through a tax credit and help families care for parents in their

homes.

What sacrifices do your spending plans require Virginians to

make?

No sacrifices required - we can pay for critical needs and

provide targeted tax relief. In my administration, Virginia will get

a balanced spending plan that puts investments in classrooms first,

with smaller class sizes, more testing and remedial help, higher

teachers standards and pay, GEDs for 250,000 more adults and college

scholarships for 100,000 more students. We can do that and provide

assistance to communities to create jobs, pay for police protection

and eliminate three taxes: the sales tax on nonprescription drugs,

the corporate income tax for small businesses and the personal

property tax for the average Virginia taxpayer.

Key leaders for both parties in the General Assembly have

expressed doubt that a car-tax cut is in the best interest of the

state and would be approved by the General Assembly. How will you

convince them?

Virginians deserve a balance: investments in education, police

protection and job development, plus targeted tax relief for people

who need it.

My plan to cut the personal property tax is a real, responsible

plan that will take effect right away - next year - and that

Virginia can afford while continuing to invest in schools, police

and jobs.

I am a businessman and a salesman: I will make the case that

Virginia can provide targeted tax relief we can afford while still

working to make Virginia schools the best in the nation.

Is your tax-cut plan an iron-clad promise to voters or are there

conditions?

I will eliminate the personal property tax bill for the average

Virginia taxpayer and average Virginia family next year - a

commitment I will deliver on because my plan is affordable and won't

prevent Virginia from investing in classrooms, police, jobs or the

environment.

Because the cost represents just a fraction of the revenue growth

projected over the next four years, it will be paid for while we are

investing in education. I can commit to making Virginia schools the

best in America and eliminate the personal property tax bill for the

average taxpayer.

Is state government today wasteful with taxpayers' money? Give us

three examples that support your opinion.

As a businessman, I know that every tax dollar must be strictly

accounted for and wasteful spending must be eliminated. At times,

the state wastes taxpayer funds.

Gov. Allen let millions of dollars in federal Goals 2000 funds go

to other states. That money could have purchased 5,600 computers for

our schools.

By failing to fairly enforce environmental laws, Virginia lost

hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines and must pay for costly

cleanup.

As attorney general, Jim Gilmore wasted precious taxpayer dollars

on a frivolous lawsuit blocking a citizen's right to challenge state

environmental decisions and fighting expanded voter registration.

[For complete graphic, please see microfilm] KEYWORDS: ELECTION VIRGINIA GUBERNATORIAL RACE VIRGINIA

PLATFORMS TAXES CANDIDATES

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