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By SHERRY JONES
Capital New» Service
RICHMOND — Several controversial issues made their way to the forefront this past week. With less than three weeks left in this year's session, committees are working overtime to pass or kill bills.
Topics voted on during the past week range from agriculture to education, including the parental notification bill for teenagers seeking abortions.
Sludge Proposal
The Senate Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources Committee Monday approved a measure that forbids localities from regulating the land application of sludge and leaves regulation to the state's Health Department.
Sen. Frank Nolen, D-New Hope, said sludge has been applied in a number of areas and there have been no problems.
“The local governments wtill have a great deal of control over the application of this material but they cannot ban it outright,” he said.
Since Rappahannock County' already adopted an outright ban on sludge application, County Administrator John McCarthy has joined others in opposing the bill.
While Mr. McCarthy did not attend Monday’s meeting, he did speak against the bill at a previous subcommittee meeting, where he was supported by representatives from other localities and the Virginia Association of Counties.
Betty Barrett, a representative from the Lancaster Board of Supervisors, said the committee should take more time to study the impact sludge application would have on localities.
“My concern is for the health, safety and welfare of citizens of our state,” she said.
Extension Service
During this past weekend the General Assembly money committees voted to restore most funds to the Virginia Cooperative Extension Service and agricultural research.
The House added $12.3 million, and the Senate added $10.3 million. Sen. Kevin G. Miller, R-Harrisonburg, whose district includes Rappahannock County, co-sponsored the senate bill.
A few weeks ago Sen. Miller and 29 other senators copatroned a bill that would have restored the full $14.6 million that was cut. Del. Jay Katzen and a large majority of the House membership signed on to a similar budget amendment. Del. Katzen said late Tuesday night his understanding is the House amendment would restore all but perhaps the $600,000 that was cut. from this year's budget last year.
The two bills will go to a joint committee along with
See Assembly, Page A-6
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