THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, January 14, 1997 TAG: 9701140259
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Staff writers David M. Poole and Robert Little, The Associated
Press and Jane Evans contributed to this report.
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: 150 lines
Del. Glenn Croshaw's bill dealing with noise created a brief clamor Monday in Virginia Beach city government.
The bill would allow local appeal boards to consider the effects of noise pollution from airports when assessing real estate for tax purposes.
Beach officials were horrified; Croshaw's proposal could open the door for thousands of appeals from residents within earshot of Oceana Naval Air Station.
``If one homeowner were to get a reduction, it would be all over,'' warned Robert Matthias, the city's lobbyist.
Each year, a few homeowners cite noise from Oceana in an effort to get a property tax break.
The city has denied those appeals because assessments are based on prices from actual home sales, which already take Oceana into account, said Jerry Banagan, the city assessor.
``We assume the marketplace is reacting to anything positive or negative taking place in that neighborhood,'' Banagan said.
Anxious Beach officials buttonholed Croshaw, who quickly agreed to amend his proposal to satisfy Beach officials.
Croshaw said his intent was to help a Kempsville resident who complains about traffic noise from nearby streets.
``You try to be responsive, and see where it gets you,'' Croshaw quipped.
NOTICED & NOTED
The leader of a powerful business coalition urged lawmakers Monday to begin thinking about a tax increase to boost state colleges and universities.
``We are coming to a time when we're going to have to make more funds available,'' John T. Hazel told members of General Assembly tax committees.
While he stopped short of a specific proposal, Hazel later said the Virginia Business Higher Education Council would push the issue to center stage in this year's gubernatorial election.
``We can't guarantee the debate, but we are encouraging it,'' said Hazel, a real estate developer from Northern Virginia.
Understandably, raising taxes has not shown up in brochures of the two likely gubernatorial candidates - Republican Attorney General James Gilmore and Democratic Lt. Gov. Donald Beyer.
``The attorney general believes the case has not been made for a tax increase,'' said Mark Minor, a spokesman for Gilmore.
``Don Beyer doesn't see the need for a tax increase,'' said Page Boinest, spokesperson for Beyer.
Still, Hazel takes solace in the fact that neither Beyer nor Gilmore has yet to pledge a veto of any tax increase.
Two years ago, the Virginia Business Higher Education Council helped shape the agenda of General Assembly elections. The powerful coalition rejected Gov. George F. Allen's call for tax cuts and pushed education funding to the fore.
In his remarks, Hazel said higher education is the driving engine for jobs growth and economic opportunity.
He said state colleges and universities need at least $200 million for faculty salary increases, student aid, technology and other programs deferred by budget cuts in the early 1990s.
ALSO YESTERDAY
Virginia Beach Del. Frank Wagner thinks he has a cure for those long expressway backups whenever there's a wreck on Hampton Roads highways: the HOV lanes.
Wagner said Monday he will submit a bill that would allow police to open the high-occupancy lanes to single-rider traffic when accidents close parts of Route 44, I-64 or I-264.
``Think how many man-hours the Department of Defense alone loses when there's a big traffic jam,'' Wagner said.
Wagner's measure could face a significant obstacle - the federal government. One local government lobbyist suggested that since HOV lanes are built with federal funds, the government can be stingy about who gets to control them.
The state Senate delayed debate on the innocent-sounding ``parents' rights amendment'' Monday, opting for formal public hearings on a measure that promises vigorous debate.
The proposal would simply amend the state Constitution to read ``The right of parents to direct the upbringing and education of their children is a fundamental right.''
Supporters say the change would merely affirm the right of parents to raise their children.
Opponents argue the bill is an attempt to strip school boards of authority and to challenge curriculum, homework assignments and school policies.
The measure was scheduled for a vote Monday, but senators voted 21-18 - with mostly Democrats voting yes - to remand it back to the Committee on Privileges and Elections for a hearing.
Like all constitutional amendments, the measure would have to pass the General Assembly twice and win a statewide referendum to become law.
A proposal to require insurers to offer coverage for birth control prescriptions received preliminary approval from the House of Delegates on Monday.
The legislation would require all insurance companies, HMOs and corporations that offer coverage for prescription drugs to also include prescription contraceptives.
``Women feel this is the type of health care coverage they really want,'' said Del. Julia A. Connally, D-Arlington and sponsor of the bill. ``The great benefit is it will make contraceptive drugs more affordable and available.''
In other action Monday:
The House of Delegates killed a bill that would have increased the minimum level of liability insurance motorists are required to purchase. Del. Morgan Griffith, R-Salem, wanted to increase the minimum coverage for a single injury from $25,000 to $35,000 and for multiple injuries from $50,000 to $70,000. Opponents of the bill said the average injury claim is only about $8,000, so setting the minimum coverage at three times that amount is adequate.
The Senate approved an amendment to the state Constitution allowing local governments to set separate tax rates for industrial parks.
The Senate approved a constitutional amendment to allow local governments acquiring debts as a part of revenue sharing to exceed the debt ceiling to which they are now limited.
WHAT'S NEXT?
Today's floor sessions start at noon. . . . Among committees meeting are the Senate's Local Government and the House's Corporations, Insurance and Banking, 10 a.m.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
Virginia Commonwealth University student Duane Kay, speaking at the final public hearing on the budget, pleading for more student aid.
``I am not asking for a handout, I am asking for an investment in my future and the future of the commonwealth.''
GETTING INVOLVED
Wednesday: Following a briefing in the Auditorium of the Virginia War Memorial, local units of the American Legion will be visiting the General Assembly. To learn more, contact your local American Legion unit or the state chairman, Cornelius T. O'Neill at (804) 353-6606.
Monday: A legislative rally on behalf of Virginia Citizens with Mental Disabilities will be held from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. All consumers, families, advocates and professionals are encouraged to join this rally sponsored by the Coalition for Mentally Disabled Citizens of Virginia.,
Jan. 21: ``Old People's Day at the General Assembly'' sponsored by AARP-Virginia. Seniors will gather at St. Paul's Episcopal Church on Grace Street at 8:30 a.m. and then visit their local delegation members. More information is available from the AARP at (703) 739-9220.
Jan. 29: Representatives of PTAs from all over the state will meet at City Hall, Ninth and Broad streets, at 8:30 a.m. They will hear Lt. Gov. Donald Beyer and Delegate Mitchell Van Yahres speak before they visit their local delegates and senators to lobby for the PTA's legislative agenda. For more information, contact your local PTA unit.
KEYWORDS: GENERAL ASSEMBLY 1997 PROPOSED BILL NOISE POLLUTION
HOV LANES