THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, September 18, 1995 TAG: 9509180043
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A1 EDITION: FINAL
SERIES: Election '95: Power and the Parties
Today: Republicans say voters care more about direction than clout
SOURCE: BY WARREN FISKE, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Long : 111 lines
Republican Dimitrios N. Rerras said he has knocked on 3,700 doors in Norfolk this year, and only one person has mentioned the legislative clout of his opponent - longtime state Sen. Stanley C. Walker, a Democrat and president pro tempore of the Senate.
``I remember the man saying something about bringing home the bacon,'' Rerras said. ``But most everyone else has wanted to talk about policies and good, common-sense solutions.''
Norfolk incumbents say their clout and seniority in the General Assembly should be an important issue in this fall's legislative races.
The city's seven-member legislative delegation is composed entirely of Democrats who have served an average of 18 years. They hold four committee chairmanships and are in line for a fifth. Among their ranks is House Speaker Thomas W. Moss.
Those positions, several of the Democrats say, enable them to bring home goods to Norfolk and the region.
But seniority doesn't mean much if the leadership is moving in the wrong direction, Rerras maintains. If Republicans win a majority, he said, Hampton Roads representatives - Democrats and Republicans alike - should work together to achieve the region's legislative goals.
Republicans said that campaigns based on preserving clout are not likely to sway voters.
``I think in Norfolk it might be impressive to some businessmen and political insiders,'' said Scott Leake, executive director of the legislature's Joint Republican Caucus. ``But to the average voter, it doesn't make a difference.''
Leake pointed out that voters in the state of Washington ousted Rep. Thomas Foley last year, even though the Democrat was speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives.
And in Henrico County, Va., this spring, voters in a Democratic primary rejected Del. Robert B. Ball Sr., the powerful chairman of the House Appropriations Committee. Ball, who argued that his position ensured constituents a healthy slice of the state pie, lost to political newcomer A. Donald McEachin.
In a series of conversations around the state this spring, voters rarely brought up to Virginian-Pilot reporters the issue of legislative clout. Citizens were far more concerned about candidates' visions for creating jobs and ensuring quality education for all.
A number of local Republicans say that clout can cut both ways. While conceding that Norfolk Democrats are influential in directing state policies, they also say the lawmakers should be held accountable for using their sway last winter to help defeat Gov. George F. Allen's conservative agenda.
Moss and other Norfolk Democrats helped kill Allen's proposals to cut state services and return the savings to taxpayers by lowering state income taxes. The Democrats argued that the reductions would come at the expense of public schools and colleges and would eliminate services such as subsidized meals for homebound senior citizens.
``I think clout is a very important issue,'' said state Sen. Mark L. Earley, R-Chesapeake, who could chair the Rehabilitation and Social Services Committee under a Republican majority. ``People who disagree with the majority party's ideology have to remember that this election is all about changing clout and power in the General Assembly.''
Republicans need gain only three seats in the 100-member House of Delegates and three in the 40-member Senate to rule both chambers for the first time. If they succeed, the speakership and all committee chairmanships would go to Republicans.
Now, in addition to the speakership, Norfolk controls three committee chairmanships in the House. Moss runs the Rules Committee, which sets legislative procedures each year. Del. George H. Heilig chairs the Corporations, Insurance and Banking Committee, which oversees business regulations. Del. Howard E. Copeland runs the Chesapeake and Its Tributaries panel, which is influential in environmental matters.
In the Senate, Walker chairs the Senate Rules Committee, serves on the Finance Committee, which sets taxing and spending priorities, and sits on the Steering Committee, which makes committee assignments to other senators.
Earley and several other Republicans acknowledge that a change in power would mean a loss of prestige for the Norfolk delegation and could make it more difficult for the city to get funding for pet projects.
The tradeoff, they say, is that the new Republican leaders would be able to promote a conservative agenda that may offer better solutions to the community's problems.
Del. William P. Robinson Jr., D-Norfolk, said the delegation's seniority has helped get extra state funding in Norfolk for Eastern Virginia Medical School, the Chrysler Museum, Old Dominion University and Norfolk State University.
``The distribution of revenues is probably the most critical phase of what we do,'' said Robinson, who is in line to chair the Roads and Internal Navigation Committee if the Democrats keep their majority.
Moss said he has used his influence to help address inner-city problems facing Norfolk by pushing legislation to limit handgun purchases and help localities pay for police and opposing Allen's proposals to reduce state aid for drop-out prevention. He cited the delegation's role in pressuring the governor to drop a proposal to cut funding for the downtown Norfolk branch of Tidewater Community College.
Republicans say the Norfolk delegation - with all its clout - has not solved the major issues facing the city: a declining tax base, a high drop-out rate in schools, crime and a steadily decreasing population.
``The middle-class in Norfolk has been losing ground with this clout,'' said Jay Sherrill, a Republican who is opposing Moss. ``It's time for responsible government to start informing and including all of the citizens of Norfolk . . . ''
KEYWORDS: HOUSE OF DELEGATES RACE SENATE RACE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
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