ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, January 12, 1996 TAG: 9601120087
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A1 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: RICHMOND
SOURCE: ROBERT LITTLE STAFF WRITER
note: above
STATE SENATORS wrangled into the night Thursday, trying to devise a way to share power, especially on the Senate Finance Committee.
Virginia's 40 state senators really do want to share.
But after a few centuries of partisan politics, they just don't know how.
The state Senate trudged on with its tedious effort to divide power Thursday, working into the night trying to divvy key leadership and committee assignments among the chamber's 20 Democrats and 20 Republicans.
Several times, members met for a few minutes, only to recess for an hour or more to twist arms and cut deals. By suppertime Thursday, they had recessed nine times in two days. Their only formal vote: the one recording their attendance.
As on Wednesday, when the General Assembly opened the 1996 session and the jockeying began, membership on the mighty Senate Finance Committee continued to be the hitch.
There are only 15 seats on the Finance Committee, which handles all state spending and taxation. And most senators want one.
Also slowing things down: Republicans want a new rule allowing them to choose their own committee members. Historically, Democrats have assigned all the seats.
Though showing signs of boredom, most senators expressed optimism that a deal is near. The first week of a legislative session is typically less than productive anyway, and any deal will still be a historic compromise between the parties.
``This isn't anything we've done before,'' said Sen. Kenneth Stolle, R-Virginia Beach. ``It can be difficult.''
Senators did show signs of progress. Early in the afternoon, Sen. Charles Colgan, D-Manassas, offered to step down as chairman of the Commerce and Labor Committee, which handles most business and banking laws, to make way for a Republican. In return, Democrats wanted control of the Finance Committee.
Republicans were impressed, but still not satisfied. So the negotiations continued.
``I think, in a way, this is the best thing that could have happened,'' said Sen. Malfourd ``Bo'' Trumbo of Fincastle, resting between backroom huddles. Trumbo had been a thorn in the negotiations, but warmed to his fellow Republicans Thursday.
``Look what's happening: Both sides are sitting down and talking to one another.''
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