THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, January 12, 1996 TAG: 9601120597
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ROBERT LITTLE, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium: 76 lines
After two days of tedious deliberations, Virginia's 40 state senators reached a late-night compromise Thursday allowing Democrats and Republicans to rule the state Senate together for the first time.
A key compromise: The mighty Senate Finance Committee, which crafts the state budget and considers all taxation laws, will be ruled by two chairmen - one Democrat and one Republican.
Norfolk Sen. Stanley C. Walker, the committee's Democratic heir apparent, will share chairmanship with Sen. John H. Chichester of Fredericksburg, the Senate's senior Republican.
The mechanics of the dual-chairmanship arrangement were not clear, but both parties said they expected smooth bipartisan operation. And all said they welcomed the chance to finally move past the organizational struggle and begin making laws.
Concerned about their image and weary from tense negotiations, members of the two parties agreed to a broad plan to distribute control of the senate's law-making committees.
They worked into the night ironing out small details, but both sides said they expected the Senate shaping plan to be formally approved.
``We worry about public perception. I think what's going on in Washington right now is very much on our minds,'' said Walker, referring to the political impasse that has shut down the federal government.
``But I think we all have here a very strong dedication commitment to the state of Virginia.''
The two-day wrangling was prompted by two factors: Democrats and Republicans each have 20 seats in the Senate this year, and Democrat Virgil H. Goode Jr. was willing to vote with Republicans to keep his party from seizing all legislative power for itself.
Goode said late Thursday he was pleased with the overall compromises and hoped his fellow Democrats stop worrying about his votes and settle in for 58 more days in Richmond.
``They're my friends,'' he said. ``I don't know if I'm still their friend.''
Several times Thursday members met for a few minutes on the overall organizational plan, only to recess for an hour or more to twist arms and cut deals. Before reaching a compromise Thursday evening they had recessed nine times in two days. There only formal vote: The one recording their attendance.
Wednesday, when the General Assembly opened the 1996 session and the jockeying began, membership on the Finance Committee continued to be the hitch. There are only 15 members on the Finance Committee, which handles all state spending and taxation. And most senators want a seat.
Also slowing things down: Republicans wanted a rule allowing them to name which Republicans sit on committees, however many seats they are allotted. Democrats, who historically have decided what committees Republicans may have, granted them that concession as part of Thursday's compromise.
The first week of a legislative session is typically less than productive anyway, so lawmakers made few apologies for spending two days debating issues that would normally be technicalities.
``This isn't anything we've done before,'' said Sen. Kenneth W. Stolle, R-Virginia Beach. ``It can be difficult.''
``I think, in a way, this is the best thing that could have happened,'' said Sen. Malfourd W. ``Bo'' Trumbo, resting Thursday afternoon between back-room 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.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Norfolk's Sen. Stanley C. Walker will share the leadership of the
Finance Committee with the Republicans' John H. Chichester.
KEYWORDS: GENERAL ASSEMBLY by CNB