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

DATE: WEDNESDAY, November 16, 1994                   TAG: 9411160143
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: RICHMOND                                LENGTH: Medium

ALLEN GETS STRIKE FORCE REPORT

``My first official act after being sworn in was to create a commission to reform all aspects of Virginia government to make it more responsive to its owners - the people of Virginia,'' Allen said.

Otis Brown, chairman of the 60-member Governor's Commission on Government Reform, gave Allen a three-ring binder containing about 440 recommendations.

The commission's recommendations include eliminating 15 percent of the state work force, or about 16,000 jobs; speeding up the process for granting air and water permits; giving the governor power to veto regulations drafted by state agencies, and abolishing the Compensation Board, which determines salaries for local constitutional officers such as sheriffs and prosecutors.

The Republican governor said the state job cut could exceed 15 percent.

``Maybe 15 percent is not enough. The number is not important. What's important is not having any more than necessary to provide service,'' he said.

Commission members have said the cuts could be accomplished largely through attrition.

Brown estimated that a third of the commission's recommendations would require action by the Democrat-controlled General Assembly and a third could be enacted by the governor and Cabinet.

``The remaining one-third we won't see for a decade. An example: privatizing the [Alcoholic Beverage Control]. This recommendation will get that rolling, but it may take a decade to get done,'' he said.

For a free copy of the report, call the strike force office in Richmond at (804)786-3088 between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.