ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, February 13, 1997 TAG: 9702130064
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-4 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: General Assembly Notebook
DATELINE: RICHMOND
Republicans are hoping they have found a way to counter political fallout from Gov. George Allen's two-year delay in accepting federal Goals 2000 money.
Allen, you may remember, was the only governor to refuse the grant to improve educational standards, arguing it would place state schools under greater federal control. After heavy criticism by Democrats, he agreed to accept the money this winter to purchase classroom computers. His two-year delay, however, cost the state $8.4million.
Now, Republican lawmakers are accusing their Democratic counterparts of costing Virginia $2million by refusing to apply this year for a federal grant to help states establish charter schools.
Democrats on the House Education Committee earlier this year killed a bill that would have established the schools - which receive public funding but may be run by private entities and are not subject to many state and local regulations. Many Democrats were influenced by NAACP concerns that charter schools could promote segregation.
House Republicans largely support charter schools, saying they would promote diverse curricula and competition in public classrooms. They say as much as $30million in grants to set up the schools may be available to the state over the next four years, and they have repeatedly challenged Democrats to accept it.
"It really shows the hypocrisy of the Democrats' argument," said Del. Randy Forbes of Chesapeake, chairman of the state Republican Party. "If you're going to say our local school systems must have the option to apply for Goals 2000 money, why not give them the same option with charter schools?"
But Democrats say there is a distinction. Unlike Goals 2000, where Virginia was the last holdout, only 19 states receive charter school aid. "Charter schools are a totally different issue," said Del. Tom Jackson, D-Hillsville. "In my area, there's concern that charter schools would draw public funds away from public schools."
Who's right? Voters may decide this fall, when all 100 House seats are up for election.
An uncomfortable prayer
Members of the House of Delegates waited with trepidation Wednesday for the prayer that marks the beginning of each floor session. They were still reeling from the prayer of the day before.
Tuesday's prayer, led by a fill-in minister from Warrenton, asked God to help the lawmakers pass bills banning partial-birth abortions and same-sex marriages and requiring parental notification.
"I wouldn't call it a prayer," said Norfolk Democrat William Robinson. "It was more like a lobbying effort. This is the first time in my 16 years here that a prayer made reference to specific legislative issues before us and advanced a particular side."
Prayers before the House are supposed to be "inclusive," said House Clerk Bruce Jamerson. But Tuesday's minister, Vinton Williams of Trinity Baptist Church, was a last-minute replacement and did not get a copy of the prayer ground rules.
"I see this as an isolated incident," Jamerson said.
"We looked it up, and the last time we had an uncomfortable prayer was January 18, 1977. I don't see this as a trend."
Also Wednesday
* Clearing the books: Don't even think about looking for a spittoon in a restaurant or bakery.
The Senate passed a bill, 38-2, that would eliminate a law requiring cuspidors in every food-producing establishment. The same law also required that businesses post signs forbidding spitting.
The bill is one of a series of measures designed to bring the State Code up to date and remove laws that are no longer needed, said Sen. Emmett Hanger, R-Augusta County.
``I had a local businessman who said if you took as many laws off the books as you put on, we'd even out,'' said the bill's sponsor in the House, Steve Landes, R-Augusta County. ``I talked last year to Legislative Services to look for areas where laws were no longer needed.''
* Same-sex marriages: If other states decide to recognize same-sex marriages, they won't be valid in Virginia under a bill approved by the Senate.
Gay marriages are already illegal in Virginia, but the bill is intended to prevent any recognition of marriages solemnized in other jurisdictions.
The bill's opponents argued that it would encourage hatred of gays. Supporters said the measure is needed to preserve the family.
Last year, Congress passed legislation allowing states to refuse to recognize homosexual marriages performed in other states.
No state sanctions same-sex marriages, but the Hawaii Supreme Court ruled in 1993 that the state could not deny marriage licenses to gay or lesbian couples without a compelling reason to do so.
In other action
* The Senate passed a bill allowing criminal record checks for school board employees.
* Nurse midwives will find it easier to get reimbursed for their services under a bill passed by the Senate.
* A bill that would have forced the Virginia Employment Commission to release a report on the total payments made to unemployed workers was defeated in the Senate.
* The Senate approved a bill granting civil immunity to teachers who discipline their students.
* The Senate adjourned in the memory of President Abraham Lincoln on his birthday.
Quote of the day
``Do you believe the governor will have a conflict of interest on this measure?''
- Sen. Charles Waddell, D-Loudoun County, referring to the tobacco-chewing executive as the Senate repealed an obsolete law requiring spittoons in food preparation areas.
Key dates
Monday: Deadline for committee action on legislation.
Tuesday: Midnight deadline for conference committee to reach compromise on budget.
Feb. 20: Vote on budget.
Feb. 22: Adjournment.
March 24: Last day for governor to sign, veto or amend legislation.
April 2: One-day reconvened session to act on governor's amendments and vetoes.
Staff writers Warren Fiske, Laura LaFay and Robert Little, and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
LENGTH: Long : 127 lines KEYWORDS: GENERAL ASSEMBLY 1997by CNB