Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, November 22, 1995 TAG: 9511220095
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DAVID M. POOLE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium
Allen has invited Democratic leaders to his Capitol office to discuss the outlook for the 1996-98 budget, which his administration will unveil next month.
The invitation is in marked contrast to last year, when Allen snubbed Democratic lawmakers and embarked on a go-it-alone tax cut proposal.
"We want to see where there is consensus and where there may be common ground," explained Ken Stroupe, Allen's press secretary.
Democrats - who earlier this month repelled Allen's attempt to gain GOP majorities in the General Assembly - said the invitation was an encouraging sign, but no one was predicting it would usher in an Allen-Democrat love fest.
"All governors have sat down to go over revenue projections," said Senate Finance Chairman Hunter Andrews of Hampton. "This is a return to what is customary."
With the bitter election campaigns still fresh in their minds, some Democrats remain wary of Allen.
House Majority Leader Richard Cranwell of Roanoke County said he was concerned that Allen would try to manipulate revenue estimates downwards, leaving no money for Democratic promises to increase spending for public schools and state universities.
"I need to see evidence of good faith," he said. "I told them I've seen a lot of bare knuckles in my face."
Allen is expected to share more of the same disheartening news that legislative money committees have heard in recent days: Existing commitments to prisons and education totaling more than $1 billion will consume most of the new revenue available in the coming biennium.
Memo: NOTE: Ran on C-1 in New River edition.