Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, December 18, 1993 TAG: 9312180152
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BY BONNIE V. WINSTON STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium
The proposal is to be released Monday as part of the governor's two-year spending plan for the state. But portions of it were published Friday by the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
"I think that would be the minimum we could do for state employees," said Del. Robert Ball, D-Richmond, chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, which oversees the budget. "If there's more money in the second year, I'd like to see us do even more."
"My own attitude is that we must make sure the budget isn't balanced on the backs of state employees. They've been trod on for so long," said Sen. Walter Stosch, R-Richmond. "I would certainly like to see state employees get a raise."
Joan Dent, executive director of the Virginia Governmental Employees Association, called Wilder's proposal "encouraging" for state employees, many of whom have felt under siege recently with the change in administrations.
"At first blush, this is encouraging to see," Dent said. "It's been a while since raises were put in the budget from the start."
State employees got a 2 percent raise Dec. 1 and can earn bonuses this year totaling another 6.9 percent.
In addition to the annual pay increases, which would take effect each Dec. 1, money will be included in 1994-95 for 1 percent to 4 percent performance-based bonuses for workers. Similar bonuses in 1995-96 would depend on agencies' ability to save money elsewhere.
The two-year budget, reportedly totalling about $30 billion, apparently calls for no new taxes and provides modest tax relief to, among others, purchasers of non-prescription drugs.
"State employees certainly need a raise," said House Minority Leader Vance Wilkins, R-Amherst. "If [Wilder has] presented a balanced budget that does all this - gives raises and tax relief - without cutting education by 50 percent, I might support it. I just have to see his plan and see where he's getting the money. Money doesn't grow on trees."
The spending plan, Wilder's last as governor, is expected to be worked over by both Gov.-elect George Allen and the 1994 General Assembly.
Wilder has said that simply meeting the "mandates" of government - education, welfare and corrections - will cost about $500 million more than he expects will be available in the 1994-96 budget.
At a meeting earlier this month, Senate Finance Committee analysts projected a shortfall of $267 million.
Allen has said he will appoint a "blue-ribbon strike force" to pinpoint government waste. Ken Stroupe, Allen's spokesman, would not comment Friday on Wilder's reported proposals.
"We still haven't seen a copy of it," Stroupe said. "And we don't want to comment on any trial balloons the governor may be floating."
by CNB