
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, May 17, 1990                   TAG: 9005170462
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-14   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

GIVE THE PRESIDENT THE LINE-ITEM VETO

U.S. SENS. John McCain and Dan Coats, along with 33 co-sponsors, have introduced the Line Item Veto Act of 1989 to empower the president to veto specific spending items of a larger spending bill.

Billions of tax dollars are being wasted annually via frivolous and unnecessary spending provisions that are attached to large funding packages necessary for the constitutional operation of the federal government. The line-item veto, by targeting the frivolous and unnecessary for veto, would allow the executive branch to hold the legislative branch accountable for its intentions regarding the spending of public monies.

Sens. Robb and Warner need to hear from their constituents and be urged to support this legislation. The response of our senators will provide us a key insight as to not only their inclinations regarding fiscal responsibility but also their respect for the checks and balances of federal power built into the Constitution by its framers. RONALD B. SHIFLETT GOODVIEW

by CNB