ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, January 11, 1996 TAG: 9601110113
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A-1 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: RICHMOND
SOURCE: MARGARET EDDS STAFF WRITER
Armageddon II or the dawn of a peaceful millennium?
Hundreds of lawmakers, lobbyists, aides and reporters descended on a snowy Capitol on Wednesday in search of an answer: Will the 1996 General Assembly be a replay of last year's partisan sniping or the start of a new era of cooperation?
In the hours before Republican Gov. George Allen gave the annual State of the Commonwealth address and legislators drifted away to restaurants and hotels, there was an assortment of clues to the mood of the next 60 days.
10 a.m.: Pink bubble gum showed through the teeth of man-of-the-hour Virgil Goode as he swiveled back and forth in his office chair and dodged questions with Sphinx-like impassivity.
As the key player in a simmering dispute over how the Senate's 20 Democrats and 20 Republicans should share power, the conservative Rocky Mount Democrat has had Democrats fuming and Republicans salivating over his possible defection for weeks.
With whom was he meeting this morning?
"People are meeting now," replied Goode.
To whom was he talking?
"Everybody's talking to everybody," he said.
Were Democrats willing to share power?
"I'll have to wait and see."
Suddenly genial, Goode smiled expansively and pointed to a basket on an end table. "Have a piece of bubble gum," he said.
10:20 a.m.: The usual crowd of lobbyists was starting to fill the entrance hall to the General Assembly office building, stomping snow off their boots and taking up position to greet legislators entering and exiting the building.
Several longtimers assessed the session's prospects, offering candor for anonymity.
"It'll be a calmer session," predicted a Republican whose Assembly work spans almost two decades. The governor's people are "tired of fighting all these battles."
Besides, he added, referring to Allen's wife, "Susan's getting a little concerned about George's legacy, this in-your-face stuff."
Another old-timer was more doubtful.
Just the other day, he said, two Southwest Virginia senators - Democrat Jack Reasor of Bluefield and Republican William Wampler Jr. of Bristol - butted heads over expanding a subcommittee of the Coal and Energy Commission by one person.
And the problem with that? It would give Allen a chance to appoint an extra member.
10:30 a.m.: Democratic senators caucused in a Senate committee room over Senate rules and committee assignments - without Goode.
Back at Goode's office, Del. William Mims, R-Loudoun County, happened by with a young aide in tow. "This is Virgil Goode, who's in the catbird seat," Mims said by way of introduction.
11:05 a.m.: Robin Dejarnette shepherded two dozen would-be citizen lobbyists from The Family Foundation through the Capitol hallways, pointing out meeting rooms and the snack bar.
Sporting "Rush Is Right" and "CasiNO" buttons, most of the group had traveled by bus from Virginia Beach to promote their beliefs. "I'm most interested in a reduced federal and state government, and as a single parent, I'm concerned about the reduced rights of parents," said Jane Eshagpoor, a computer consultant.
Rubbing shoulders with Eshagpoor in the hallway were dozens of other citizens launching lobbying efforts in a year when lawmakers will adopt a $34.6 billion biennial budget. "We're in a desperate mode," said Clarissa Rowe, on hand to argue against taking $7.2 million from the general fund for mental health.
11:17 a.m.: Styrofoam coffee cup in hand, House Speaker Thomas Moss, D-Norfolk, explained why relations with Allen will be better this year. The governor's "been reaching out and our people are very receptive," he said.
As for Goode, "I'd rather not say anything because I might not like what I said."
11:53 a.m.: With the Senate about to go into session and the division of leadership still unsettled, Sen. Madison Marye, a Shawsville Democrat, walked over to Sen. Malfourd "Bo" Trumbo, a Fincastle Republican. "Hey," Marye offered in greeting. "I'd better shake your hand now."
Noon: The Senate and House convened.
12:23 p.m.: The Senate recessed to allow time for printing a Democratic proposal on rules and committee assignments.
1 p.m.: The Senate reconvened and quickly adjourned to let Republicans consider the Senate proposal. Senators scurried in and out of caucus rooms. Goode was seen huddling in the hall with an assortment of individual senators.
"We've just been chatting," said Sen. Jane Woods, smiling. A Fairfax County Republican, Woods also has been branded a pivotal player in the leadership fight because of her independent streak.
2 p.m.: The Senate reconvened and again adjourned after Sen. Kenneth Stolle, R-Virginia Beach, said Republicans needed more time to consider the Democrats' rules changes.
2:30 p.m.: Closed-door caucuses and private meetings continued.
Back in the General Assembly office building, Goode labeled the Democrats' power-sharing plan a "good first step."
What he did not say was that a "Goode Plan" favored by Republicans was also floating through the halls. And it was picking up some Democratic support.
"Both plans are fair," said Sen. Charles Waddell, D-Loudoun County, a longtime Goode friend who would get a coveted seat on the Senate Finance Committee under Goode's plan.
After more than two decades in the Senate, he believes it is a deserved assignment, said Waddell, as he hurried across Capitol Square to the Senate chamber.
3:30 p.m.: With the Democratic position apparently eroding, the Senate reconvened and adjourned until 4:15 p.m. The appointed hour passed, however, with Democrats still caucusing in a first-floor meeting room.
5:20 p.m.: Still caucusing, Democrats sent out for dinner.
LENGTH: Long : 127 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: AP. State Sens. Virgil Goode, D-Rocky Mount; left, andby CNBCharles Waddell, D-Loudon County, take the oath of office Wednesday
on the Virginia Senate Floor. color. KEYWORDS: GENERAL ASSEMBLY 1996