THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, February 6, 1996 TAG: 9602060009
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A14 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Editorial
LENGTH: Short : 47 lines
John ``Til'' Hazel Jr. has done more to shape the Washington area than anyone since Pierre L'Enfant laid out the city's broad boulevards, a magazine writer once observed.
The Fairfax megadeveloper clearly has designs on the rest of Virginia as well.
Last summer Hazel turned his relentless energy and steely gaze toward revitalizing Virginia's colleges and universities. Since then, he has pursued the cause as passionately as a multimillion-dollar land deal, helping turn the tide of public sentiment toward greater spending.
No single individual is more responsible for propelling higher education to the top of the Assembly's budget priorities or - some would add - for denying George Allen a Republican majority in last year's legislative elections.
Which is why it was hard to ignore Hazel's crystal-ball gazing last week. What he sees on the state's horizon is, ahem, a tax increase. Not today, or tomorrow. But before the 21st century arrives.
Hazel's point: As one of only two states to substitute budget slashing for a tax hike during the late recession, Virginia has a $34.6 billion biennial budget that is nearly frill-free.
Virginia ranks 15th nationally in per-capita income, but 49th in overall state and local tax burden, 43rd in per-capita spending for higher education, 48th in welfare spending and 27th in spending per public-school student.
As Congress cuts federal spending, the competition for state dollars only will intensify. A half-penny jump in Virginia's 4 1/2-cent sales tax would generate about $300 million a year in revenue - enough to fund most of what the state colleges and universities are seeking this year, or to fill a variety of other requests.
The counterpoint: Taxes are as popular just now as snakebite.
Still, Virginians should be warned. Hazel has built a reputation and a fortune on vision and the art of making a deal. When a Republican businessman of his stature suggests that he is ready to lead the tax charge, the invitation has been issued for a future governor or Assembly to fall in line.
A movement may be birthing. by CNB