ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, February 27, 1996 TAG: 9602270064
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
COLUMN: Legislative Journal
TYPE: NOTES FROM YOUR STATE
Last week the General Assembly honored Mark Patrick Embree, a Virginia Tech student who has been awarded a prestigious Rhodes Scholarship, and Samantha Salvia, who received the same award while attending Old Dominion University.
The two received the legislature's admiration and congratulations on Friday afternoon.
The presentation was a break for area senators and delegates who have spent the last week focusing on the budget. It is the budget they focus on, too, in this week's dispatches from Richmond.
Sen. Madison Marye, D-Shawsville, remains concerned about aid to public education.
Here's the breakdown for this district under budget proposals from the governor, House and Senate: Radford - governor's budget $4,415,453, House budget $4,409,371 and Senate $4,421,095. Giles County - governor's budget $8,193,103, House budget $8,226,404 and Senate $8,333,281. Pulaski County - governor's budget $15,980,370, House version $16,030,462 and Senate $16,097,249.
"The Senate version of the spending plan is typically better for Pulaski, Radford and Giles than are the other two," Marye said. "Since the budget bills have differences, they, like any other bills, will have to be reconciled in conference. At this point, I am of course hopeful that the Senate school aid plan will prevail in the compromise budget."
Last week's budget debate included discussion on some 40 amendments.
One of the most important amendments concerned pay increases for teachers, Marye said. The initial House budget contained no pay increases for public school teachers but did for college faculty. "This caused a flurry of press conferences with the two political parties both scurrying to take the initiative. The Democratic plan would give a 1.75 percent increase next year and a 2 percent increase the following year. The Republican plan provided for a 2 percent increase next year with a 3 percent increase in the following year. The Republican plan would have reduced the increases to college faculty and used the savings to fund public teacher increases."
"Due to a parliamentary ruling, only the 1.75 percent-2 percent plan was considered."
It passed 96-3.
The final budget passed by a vote of 79-20.
Del. Tommy Baker, R-Pulaski County, sponsored and co-sponsored several budget amendments this year.
He points out several programs of interest to this area:
* "Higher education funding was not only my priority but also that of the Senate," Baker said. "We budgeted for salary increases in each year of the biennium to raise salaries to the 60th percentile of each institution's peer group. Recognizing the need for capital investment funding, $121 million is recommended through the Virginia College Building Authority Pooled Bond Program. This includes: $10 million for Virginia Tech's new Center for Advanced Communications and Informational Technology and $1.4 million for renovation of Walker Hall at Radford University."
$700,000 was restored to public library funding.
Community Action funds were restored allowing continuation of its projects which work to get people off welfare and into jobs. CHIP (Comprehensive Health Investment Project) funding was increased $1.3 million over the biennium to provide services to protect children's health.
VDOT is prohibited from closing any area maintenance headquarters or repair shops.
The variations between the House and Senate bills will be reconciled in conference committee.
Del. Morgan Griffith, R-Salem, says a number of bills passed that concern transportation safety.
The adult accompanying someone driving with a learner's permit will have to be 21 now instead of 18 - unless you're driving with a sibling, Griffith said. And if you're under 16 and riding in the back of a pickup truck, you'll have to wear a seat belt, he said.
Meanwhile, the full House was given a chance to debate campaign finance reform. The legislation would have placed a limit on the amount of money individuals, businesses and political action committees could contribute to a campaign, Griffith said.
There were motions and substitute bills, and in the end, the bill was referred back to committee. "Those of us who would like to see reform chose to try again next year with a better bill," Griffith said. "Campaign finance reform is very complicated and should balance the rights of freedom of expression with a recognition that money all too often buys elections."
Sen. Malfourd "Bo" Trumbo, R-Fincastle, reports on these amendments adopted by the Senate Finance Committee:
* An amendment that allows telephone companies to offer different rate schedules for telephone lines used in public schools for technology purposes.
* An amendment that restores a 5 percent reduction to state aid for local libraries.
* An amendment that would provide funding to extend Radford University's partnership with Virginia Western Community College by establishing a permanent education center in Roanoke to administer and support selected bachelor degree programs. $300,000 was included for Radford to plan for the construction of a new academic facility to house the Waldron College of Nursing and Health Service at Radford University.
* An amendment that would provide funds for Virginia Tech technology experts to train teachers on the use of technology in the classroom. The funding is sufficient to train 250 teachers for the first year and 500 the second year.
* An amendment that provides $75,000 in general funds to the Giles County Historical Society for construction of the Giles County Historical Museum on the site of the 1829 Andrew Johnson House in Pearisburg and $25,000 in general funds to the Giles County Historical Society for restoration of the 1828 Andrew Johnston House and 1857 Doctors Office.
Del. Jim Shuler, D-Blacksburg, says that with this budget, there's good news and bad news.
"The bad news is that we were not able to do all that we wanted to do," he said. "The good news is we were able to increase funding in areas critical to Virginia's future."
The top priorities in this year's budget were education, juvenile justice and state employee salaries, Shuler said. "At the same time, we have continued to reduce state employment levels. This year we are recommending eliminating 3,500 positions," he said.
Recommendations for education included: Reducing class sizes in the primary grades; additional teacher training; adding $45.5 million to increase use of technology. "Our goal is to provide one computer for every five students," Shuler said.
In higher education, the "principal goals were to increase faculty and staff salaries, freeze tuition, increase financial aid, and improve the use of new technology."
He said the House has approved additional funding for: Community Action Agencies; Meals on Wheels; in-home care for the elderly; the Comprehensive Services Act (an early intervention program for troubled youth).
Concerning public safety, the General Assembly earmarked $21.5 million of juvenile justice funds to go directly to communities. "This will give communities more tools to deal with juvenile offenders at an early stage," Shuler said.
The budget also leaves help for Virginia's small businesses, Shuler said, $1 million for Small Business Development Centers; $1 million for the Export Loan Program; $1.7 million for the Center for Innovative Technology; $500,000 for a Capital Access Fund to aid technology based companies.
LENGTH: Long : 141 lines KEYWORDS: GENERAL ASSEMBLY 1996by CNB