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RICHMOND (AP)—Virginia will be joining a growing number of states raising the drinking age to 21 next month, as one of nearly 600 new state laws goes into effect.
Enacted by the 1986 General Assembly, the drinking law will not apply to those who reach their 19th birthday by July 1, 1985. There is no change in the legal age for drinking wine and hard liquor—already 21.
The new beer drinking age has perhaps the most far-reaching social impact—proponents claim fewer highway accidents will be a result—but some wrinkle in the new legislation will effect almost everyone.
For some 80,000 classified state employees, for example, July 1 will bring an across-the-board 6 percent pay increase and reinstatement of the 4.5 percent annual step increases for those not already at the top pay grade.
Many correctional officers will see their pay grades jump one full grade in addition to the 6 percent salary increase. And a 9 percent pay boost will go to judges, constitutional officers and state agency heads.
New laws affecting motorists include an increase in the maximum truck length from 55 feet to 60 feet, an
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