Conservative Godwin Stance Gets Mixed Reaction: State Role in ...
RICHMONDÛÓThe nationwide recession and the conservative reaction of Virginia Gov, Mills E,. Godwin to it have given' rise to a perplexing question that will figure importantly in this yearÛªs legislative sessionÛÓwhat is the proper state government role in economic bad times?</br></br>The twd sides of the'question are quickly and clearly defined: the state shotild beef up its spending programs, such as capital construction, to stimulate the economy; the state should retrench and await better times.</br></br>In his message opening the legislature Wednesday, ,Gov. Godwin came down on the side of retrenchment and was promptly criticized by 'several General Assembly members. It thus became evident that the political impact of the recession is beginning to color the thinking of Virginia legislators, all of whom will be up for re-election next November.</br></br>In the days following Gov. GodwinÛªs general message of budget cuts and belt-tightening, the governor was accused in a floor speech in the House of Delegates of inaction in the face of rising unemployment, and there was talk of a capital-spending program in the state to bolster the economy.</br></br>The governor also had his supporters; many in bpth houses of the legislature share his conservative economic and political view and said his speech struck the 'proper tone of balance.