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

DATE: THURSDAY, April 22, 1993                   TAG: 9304220153
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Staff report
DATELINE: RICHMOND                                LENGTH: Short

VA. RATED TOPS IN MANAGEMENT

For the second straight year, Virginia has been named the nation's best financially managed state by Financial World Magazine.

At a news conference announcing the award Wednesday, magazine editors lauded the state for "superb long-range planning," "excellent management systems" and "unmatched efforts at program evaluation on both executive and legislative sides."

Virginia also was cited for a recently approved constitutional change providing a "rainy day fund" to help government cope with cash shortages.

The New York-based magazine based its ratings on a long list of criteria, including each state's track record in predicting expenses and revenues, its accounting procedures, the stability of its pension fund and its bond ratings.

Gov. Douglas Wilder, who frequently used last year's top rating to bolster his image as a hands-on administrator, predicted that this year's repeat will help the state recruit industries.

by CNB