Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!americast.com!americast.com!americast-post Newsgroups: americast.wpost From: americast-post@AmeriCast.Com Organization: American Cybercasting Approved: americast-post@AmeriCast.com Subject: Ballot Questions in Virginia= Date: Thu, 29 Oct 92 04:29:59 EST Message-ID: <7.1992Oct29.042959@AmeriCast.com> Ballot Questions in Virginia= EVEN THE MOST conscientious voter can be caught off guard at the polls by a question that shows up on the ballot with little or no explanation. The answers can have significant effects on the quality of government programs, facilities and financial prac- tices. To reduce the surprise element this time around, we offer a rundown of what voters in Virginia will be asked about Tuesday: Proposed Constitutional Amendment - Yes: There is a proposed amendment to the state constitution that would set up a revenue stabilization fund - a permanent "savings account" for the state. This proposal is the result of the roller coaster that Virginia's budget has ridden over the past decade and is a reaction to the dramatic impact of cuts in the budget caused by revenue shor- tages. The constitution now forbids the state to have such an ac- count. Tax money must be spent in the budget period in which it is received. The effect has been that even the fastest increases in revenues - sometimes as much as 15 percent a year in the boom- ing 1980s - have been immediately built into the base appropria- tions for state services, resulting in sharp and painful cuts when a downturn came along. Under the proposed amendment, whenev- er revenues rise faster than the previous six years' average, half the surplus will go into the stabilization fund. Whenever revenues drop more than 2 percent below forecast, the General As- sembly can draw on the fund to meet half the shortfall. It's a shock absorber and a good idea. For Parks and Recreation - Yes: This is a bond issue to go in large part for the acquisition of precious natural lands throughout Virginia, many of which are havens for endangered wildlife species and for sorely needed improvements to existing roads, trails and access for the handicapped. As a bipartisan ma- jority of the General Assembly and broad coalitions of business, labor and civic groups have noted in supporting all three state- wide bond-issue questions on the ballot Nov. 3, this year is a good time to purchase land at low prices and to take advantage of low interest rates. For Mental Health Facilities - Yes: This bond issue would finance the construction and renovation of mental health facilities that are desperately needed. Many facilities stand to lose valuable federal dollars because they do not meet standards. For Educational Institutions - Yes: This bond issue is to finance projects affecting every four-year and community college in Vir- ginia. As it stands, higher educational institutions are turning away students because of inadequate or run-down facilities. There hasn't been a state-supported capital improvements program since 1986 - though enrollment in state colleges and universities in the same period has grown by 40,000 students. An estimated addi- tional 65,000 students are likely by the year 2000. These bond issues offer the prospect of thousands of jobs, the preservation of the state's AAA financial rating and a solid in- vestment on behalf of the next generation. 02:05 10-29C9999----- Copyright 1992, The Washington Post. This story is from the Washington Post's Capitol Edition On-Line and is not to be ar- chived or redistributed. For more information, send-email to American Cybercasting Cor- poration (usa@AmeriCast.COM)