Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, February 16, 1992 TAG: 9202140018
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NEW RIVER VALLEY 2 EDITION: CURRENT
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
ELECTION OF SCHOOL BOARD IS KEY ISSUE
A number of important issues in the General Assembly were decided last week. The House of Delegates approved legislation I co-sponsored to allow localities the option of electing School Boards. I feel that this year the Senate will agree with the House and give voters a say in how their School Board members are chosen.Two perennial issues that came before the House Labor and Commerce Committee were once again defeated.
The first was the "Meet and Confer" legislation for public employees. This measure was opposed by local governments, the Virginia Chamber of Commerce, the Virginia Manufacturing Association and the National Federation of Small Business on the grounds that it permitted collective bargaining.
The other is known as the "Fair Share" measure by its supporters and the "Agency Shop Bill" by its opponents. It would allow unions to charge non-union members fees for representing them in grievance hearings and for other services.
Opponents of this bill believe that it would seriously harm Virginia's Right-to-Work law and allow closed shops. Although both bills were defeated, I expect they will be back again next year.
I have received many, many letters expressing concern about the proposed reductions in funding for our public libraries, public radio and television, community action agencies and higher education.
I, too, am distressed about the effects of these cuts. Most of them will not save taxpayers any money LEGISLATIVE JOURNAL JOAN MUNFORD as the costs will be borne by local governments or by parents in the form of higher tuition charges.
I have expressed my support to members of the House Appropriations Committee for full funding of these vital areas. The dilemma is that without a tax increase there is not enough money to meet all of Virginia's obligations.
Even with increased taxes on cigarettes and alcohol, I don't believe those additional funds will be nearly enough.
The House has given final approval to a resolution that I sponsored to request the Department of Education to compile data and provide recommendations to help students with disabilities after they leave school.
Currently, more than 4,000 students with disabilities leave Virginia's schools each year.
While the special-education programs within our schools do excellent jobs, there is no provision to follow these students when they finish school.
We do not know how many need additional training to become employable or how many need additional rehabilitation services.
This resolution was the result of a recommendation of a Joint Subcommittee that I served on this past year.
Joan Munford, a Blacksburg Democrat, represents most of Montgomery County and part of Giles County in the General Assembly. To contact her, call (804) 786-8425 or write to P.O. Box 406, Richmond, Va. 23203.