DATE: Tuesday, March 25, 1997               TAG: 9703250334

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B6   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY WARREN FISKE, STAFF WRITER 

DATELINE: RICHMOND                          LENGTH:   56 lines

ALLEN VETOES LEGISLATION AIMED AT MODERATING WELFARE REFORM

Accusing lawmakers of ``backsliding'' on welfare reform, Gov. George F. Allen on Monday vetoed legislation exempting recipients in educational programs from having to hold jobs to receive benefits.

``I oppose any weakening or backsliding on welfare reform,'' Allen said in a written statement.

The Republican governor accused proponents of the measure of trying ``to lay the groundwork to undermine one of the nation's most principled and successful welfare reform programs.''

The measure, sponsored by Democratic Del. Jean Cunningham of Richmond and Republican Del. Vincent Callahan of McLean, was defeated on a 50-50 vote in the House of Delegates last month. But supporters subsequently succeeded in attaching the legislation to the 1997 state budget bill.

Allen announced 11 line-item vetoes to the budget, including $1 million to help build a sports arena in Hampton Roads. The appropriation became moot, however, because it depended on the region recruiting a professional hockey team to play in the arena. The National Hockey League rejected Hampton Roads as an expansion site last month.

The welfare proposal Allen rejected would have allowed women within a year of completing an educational or training program to forgo requirements to work between eight and 30 hours a week in order to receive benefits.

Supporters argued that the state's ambitious welfare reform program should give special consideration to women who are diligently educating themselves.

Opponents said the requirement is not excessive, noting that many people work and go to school simultaneously. Allen also argued that the mandatory exemption would strip his administration of needed control over welfare reform.

Allen also vetoed a line item that would have required the administration to appoint a task force to study Virginia's welfare reform program. He said the proposal, inspired by Democrats, was designed to weaken reform.

Allen also rejected:

A $700,000 conditional appropriation to help establish the College of Health and Science in Roanoke. Allen said the budget provision sidestepped formal actions localities must take to apply for economic development assistance from the state.

$1.4 million to build a new house for the president at Christopher Newport University in Newport News. ``I am of the opinion that the existing president's home on campus is more than adequate,'' Allen said. ``If we are to continue meeting the needs of our Virginians for higher education, spending priorities must be established.''

The General Assembly is scheduled to meet April 2 to consider Allen's vetoes and proposed amendments to bills. It is extremely rare for the legislature to muster the two-thirds majority vote necessary to override the governor.

Last week, Allen vetoed a bill that would have delayed for a year the implementation of new back-to-basics learning standards for public schools. Allen wants to begin the curriculum on July 1. KEYWORDS: VETO LEGISLATION BILL

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