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By Patrick Graham
Rappahannock News Special Writer
The 1993 Virginia General Assembly session opens today, with lawmakers poised to battle each other and Gov. L. Douglas Wilder over gun control, abortion, highway funding and taxes. N.
Facing the 140 lawmakers, will be Wilder’s proposals to raise state employee salaries, to require cleanerrunning cars in Northern Virginia and to close loopholes in theWyte’s conflict-of-interest laws. ''O'
With members of the House of Delegates facing re-election and Wilder facing retirement, delegates and the governor said they hope any fights during the 45-day session will be rather bloodless.
“I don’t think you will see any major initiatives from the legislature,” said Del. Vince Callahan (R34th District), the senior Republican from Northern Virginia. “A lot will be put on hold.”
In contrast with previous sessions, the lawmakers face a rebounding economy and a slowly ebbing fiscal crisis. During the last three years, lawmakers and Wilder together have confronted a $2 billion budget shortfall without raising taxes. They have made up the difference with spending cuts, tuition hikes and raids on government trust funds. '
‘The good news is that Virginia seems to be improving and tax revenues are up over last year,” said Sen. Charles L. Waddell (D-33rd District).
The most controversial issue this session will be Wilder’s proposal to limit gun purchases to one a month. The National Rifle Association and other critics have pledged stiff and vocal opposition to the idea, arguing that it won’t keep guns out of the hands of criminals and will only hurt gun dealers.
“The governor has a full-court press on this as a panacea for the whole problem," said Callahan.
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