THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, August 6, 1995 TAG: 9508060014
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY WARREN FISKE, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Long : 134 lines
Virginians are far from fed up with their state government.
Taxes are not too high, spending isn't too wasteful and there is little desire to overhaul the legislature.
The message came across resoundingly in a poll concluded last week that puts statistics behind the sentiments expressed in conversations with citizens across the commonwealth this summer.
The findings of the poll, sponsored by The Virginian-Pilot and its sister paper in Roanoke, seem to repudiate some of Gov. George F. Allen's most basic assumptions.
Since taking office 18 months ago, Allen has argued that he has a mandate to reform a government that has been ``stifling initiative under the heavy, grimy boot of excessive taxation and spending and regulation.''
``The problem with Virginia today is not that the people have lost touch with reality,'' he said in his inaugural address, ``it is that our government has lost touch with the people.''
The poll suggests a more charitable view. Consider the following figures:
Sixty percent said the state government does a better job than it is usually given credit for. In contrast, the federal government received positive comments from only 35 percent of the citizens, while 59 percent described it as wasteful.
Fifty-one percent said state income tax levies are set at proper levels, while 42 percent said they are too high. More than two-thirds of the citizens said federal income taxes are too high, and almost three out of five complained about their local property tax bills.
Only 19 percent said that reducing the size of state government is a ``critical priority.''
Forty-four percent agreed with the notion that the legislature needs to be infused with new representatives, but 48 percent disagreed.
Eighty-three percent described Virginia as an excellent or good place to live.
The telephone survey of 1,024 adult Virginians was conducted by the Survey Research Laboratory at Virginia Commonwealth University from July 11 to July 30. The results have a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percent.
The purpose of both the poll and the conversations is to learn what citizens bring to the table for this fall's elections before the rhetoric of candidates and consultants begins. The idea is, if citizens spend some time this summer talking about what matters to them, perhaps this fall the candidates will, too.
The people polled didn't mind talking more about the direction of this state; almost 70 percent were willing to be interviewed later by the newspapers.
Cindy Arrington, a private-school teacher from Salem, considers herself a conservative and a strong supporter of Allen. Although she is a critic of federal government, she gave good marks to the state government for efficiency.
``I'm pretty satisfied with the way things are, although I do think there's always room for improvement, particularly on some of the social issues.''
Arrington, who was called for the poll, does not feel that state income taxes are too high, although she does think that about federal levies.
``It just seems that the federal government taxes you every time you move,'' she said. ``We try to save money because I have two kids in college. First, the federal government taxes the money in my paycheck. Then, when I put it in my kids' savings accounts, they tax it again on the interest. That's double taxation. I don't seem to run into that kind of problem with Virginia.''
Allen was outraged last winter when the Democratic majority in the General Assembly blocked his proposals to cut state income-tax rates and many state services. He has vowed to barnstorm the state this fall and push for the election of Republicans who will help him enact his agenda.
The GOP needs to gain only three seats each in the Senate and the House of Delegates to control both chambers of the Assembly for the first time. The results of the election could have lasting effects on critical services such as education and public safety.
Democrats argue that Virginia already is the second lowest taxed state in the nation and that levies can't be cut without hurting things like public schools and colleges. Allen and his Republican allies believe that there is fat, that a way can be found to cut taxes without impacting such things as education and that citizens are best served when they keep their money in their own pockets.
The poll suggests that citizens have little interest in refereeing a partisan slugfest. Fifty-four percent said it makes no difference which party controls the legislature, while 38 said it does. And more than two registered voters out of three said Allen's endorsement of a candidate would have no influence on their decision at the polls. They said a candidate's reputation and stands on issues are far more important considerations.
The poll portrays a citizenry that is not greatly informed about its state government. Only one person in four knew that Democrats control both houses of the Assembly. Only one in three knew that the Assembly meets during the winter. Only 7 percent of participants could correctly name James S. Gilmore III as the state's attorney general.
Mary Green, a secretary in Virginia Beach, said she is generally satisfied with state government, although she admits she doesn't follow it very closely.
``They seem to be running things well,'' she said. ``I just don't get the sense that my state taxes are being used to support a lot of needless programs. I don't hear a lot of people complaining about it the way they complain about Congress.''
Even so, Virginians have clear expectations of state government.
At the top of the list is providing public safety, followed by improving public education, creating jobs and addressing a decline in societal values.
Citizens said that the top spending priorities for the state should be public education and colleges and universities. After rejecting Allen's tax cuts last winter, Democrats restored money to education budgets.
But the poll is far from a repudiation for Allen. To the contrary, 55 percent of participants rated his job performance as excellent or good. And while there may be disagreement with some of his views, there is strong approval of his efforts to improve public safety and create jobs.
``He's as personally popular as ever,'' said Robert Holsworth, a political scientist at VCU. ``It's just that the more ideological parts of his agenda don't seem to engage the public very deeply. There is not a seething revolution across the state.''
Even so, Allen and his Republican colleagues are expected to continue their quest for lower taxes and a smaller state government this fall.
Said Ken Stroupe, a spokesman for Allen: ``We've tried not to govern by polls. We want to do what's best. That means you never stop searching for inefficiencies and new solutions. We don't think anyone should be satisfied with the status quo.'' ILLUSTRATION: Graphic
STAFF
VIRGINIANS GRADE THE STATE GOVERNMENT
SOURCE: Virginia Commonwealth University/Virginian-Pilot & The
Ledger-Star poll\ [For complete graphic, please see microfilm]
KEYWORDS: POLLS VIRGINIA GOVERNMENT by CNB