| Donor No. 45: Virginia Education Association – $59,984 |
By Sylvia Moore
The Virginia Education Association, which represents the state’s teachers, has a huge legislative program, said Lisa Guthrie, the group’s lobbyist and assistant director of government relations. So it’s no surprise that the VEA was No. 45 in donations to General Assembly members during the 1999 election cycle.
This legislative session, Guthrie said, the VEA has been on the defensive and has fended off a number of bills.
One in particular: a bill sponsored by Sen. Jay Katzen, R-Warrenton, to allow $2,500 in tax credits for pupils in non-public schools and $500 for children in home schooling. The measure was defeated.
Guthrie said the measure would have drained $140 million a year in state funds – money that could be used to improve public schools. The VEA is not against private schooling, but parents – and not taxpayers – should pay for it, Guthrie said.
The VEA also has lobbied in favor of various bills, including:
A proposal to provide a monthly retirement allowance of at least $800 to any teacher who has at least 30 years of service – or who has 25 years of service and is at least 65 years old. This legislation was introduced by Sen. Charles J. Colgan, D-Manassas. It was continued until next year.
A bill sponsored by Sen. Warren Barry, R-Fairfax, that removes Child Protective Services from investigating child abuse charges against teachers. VEA believes school authorities should investigate such matters and, if warranted, turn the cases over to police. The General Assembly passed the bill.
A bill sponsored by Delegate James H. Dillard II, R-Fairfax, that would require elementary schools to have guidance counselors. The bill says elementary schools should have a full-time counselor for every 500 students. The General Assembly passed the bill, but Gov. Jim Gilmore vetoed it.
Colgan and Dillard each received $2,000 from the VEA; Barry got $500.
The VEA would also like to see legislation passed that allows teachers planning time for three hours a week during school hours, Guthrie said.
Guthrie said the VEA’s political action committee raises money from teachers and makes contributions to candidates after a careful screening process. She said the committee uses questionnaires and interviews to evaluate candidates.
During last year’s legislative elections, the VEA gave $59,984 to 74 legislators. Here’s the party breakdown:
The lawmakers getting the most money from the VEA were:
Sen. H. Russell Potts Jr., R-Winchester – $3,830.
Sen. R. Edward Houck, D-Spotsylvania – $3,750.
Sen. Richard J. Holland, D-Windsor; Sen. John S. Edwards, D-Roanoke; Sen. Emily Couric, D-Charlottesville; and Sen. Linda T. Puller, D-Mount Vernon – 2,500 each.
The VEA donated $31,142 to members of the House and $28,842 to members of the Senate.
Twenty members of the House and Senate education committees received money from the VEA.
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