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By DON DEL. ROSSO
Richmond Bureau Chief
RICHMOND — Virginia, according to Gov. Gerald L. Baliles, has done rather well since he took office in 1986.
The Democratic governor all but predicted continued economic prosperity for Virginia through 1988 — but with a few warnings that the state may have to assume some costly responsibilities that belong to the federal government.
This has been a “very good year for the commonwealth,” the governor told more than 40 reporters who attended a one-hour breakfast meeting in the executive mansion on Dec. 22.
Citing record employment, increases in personal income and improvement in other economic indicators for 1986, Gov. Baliles buoyantly added: “All of those things remain for 1987.”
For instance, Virginia has shown a significant increase in new housing starts (up 14.7 percent in 1986 compared to the previous year), unemployment has hovered at four percent and 15,000 new jobs were created during 1986.
But Gov. Baliles reported those developments with “the proverbial qualifiers,” as he put it.
Parts of Virginia are wracked by high unemployment — sometimes surpassing 20 percent — and affordable housing has been cause for considerable concern among many.
The commonwealth faces “new” and “continuing responsiblities” that will prove expensive, Gov. Baliles told reporters. Those areas of concern include: indigent care, health care, housing, water and sewer needs, transportation and the environment.
While the governor refused to discuss specifically his legislative agenda for the 1988 budget year, many have speculated he probably will
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