DATE: Saturday, October 25, 1997            TAG: 9710230034

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B8   EDITION: FINAL 

                                            LENGTH:   49 lines

PILOT ENDORSEMENT LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR

Former 5th District Democratic Rep. L. F. Payne has been the most realistic of the six statewide candidates about Virginia's fiscal condition. He has listened to those educators, businessmen and transportation experts who say that tax relief should come second to addressing the state's myriad unmet needs.

Payne has refused to pander to voters by dangling tax-cut sugar plums that may not be affordable. Instead, he has urged creation of a blue-ribbon panel to assess the state's fiscal condition. That's a sign of leadership. By eschewing the easy, popular way in favor of cautious fiscal conservatism, Payne has won our endorsement for lieutenant governor.

Both Payne and Republican John Hager, a retired Richmond tobacco executive, have made laudable contributions to the civic life of their communities. But Payne offers a greater breadth of experience and depth of knowledge because of his four terms in Congress. Hager has never held elective office.

At a time when the balance of power between federal and state governments is shifting, having an elected official who understands how budgets are made and deals are cut in Washington could be an invaluable resource.

Our support of Payne comes despite his opposition as a Southside congressman to the Lake Gaston pipeline. Hager's support to this region in that controversy was welcome, but we do not feel that Payne's opposition should rule him out.

Payne now says he was acting out of a desire to represent his congressional constituency well. That is understandable, so long as Payne pledges to promote the larger interests of Virginians with equal passion.

This he does. If elected, Payne says he would not undermine the pipeline and would work to resolve future disputes over water with less acrimony.

Perhaps the most important role of the next lieutenant governor will be to break tie votes in a Senate evenly divided between Democrats and Republicans. Our guess is that Payne and Hager would vote similarly on many issues.

Both spent their private careers in business. Both have taken conservative positions on a host of issues. Payne was one of the strongest supporters among congressional Democrats of the Republican Contract With America.

An important difference, however, would be their approach to votes on taxes and investment in state infrastructure needs. Hager hopes to eliminate much of the property tax on cars and trucks. But Payne is committed to weigh the disadvantages of lost revenue against the benefits of taxpayer relief before acting.

His skepticism is appropriate, and Virginia would be well-served by having a cautious presiding officer in the state Senate when the close calls have to be made.

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