As University students and administrators gather in Richmond today in support of a higher education bond referendum on the November ballot, the bonds' prospects are muddled by questions of public apathy and voter turnout.
If approved by voters, the bonds would provide $68.3 million in funding for University construction projects and facilities upgrades. The bonds include $24.2 million for a new University Medical Research Center and $14.3 million for a new Arts and Sciences building.
"History in Virginia has been very kind to general obligation bonds," Politics Prof. Larry J. Sabato said. The state's voters have approved of bonds with only one exception in 1990, Sabato added.
However, the lack of compelling reasons for voters to head to the polls complicates the chances of success for this year's higher education bond. Republican Sen. John Warner faces no Democratic opponent to his reelection bid, none of the state's House of Representatives races are particularly competitive and no state offices are up for election this year.
The only high-profile campaigns in the state concern referendums on local sales tax increases in Northern Virginia and the Hampton Roads area, Sabato said.
Most moderate Democrats and Republicans have supported these referendums, but fiscal conservatives and some environmental groups have opposed them.
While the chances for the higher education bonds look good, its success could be jeopardized by the sales tax referendum, Sabato said. He added that the vote on tax hikes, which fiscal conservative typically oppose, could attract a disproportionate number of opponents who might also vote against the bond referendum.
"The only way I can see these bonds losing is if both tax referendums go down to defeat," Sabato said.
Student Council and University President John T. Casteen III's office are sponsoring two busloads of students to attend a rally today in Richmond in support of passage of the bond issues.
Casteen will be among those attending the rally.
Gov. Mark R. Warner, a supporter of the bond, will speak at the event.
"It's the official kickoff event for the higher education bond campaign," Warner's spokeswoman Ellen Qualls said.
Warner is participating in another event in support of the higher education bonds in Roanoke tomorrow and will continue to campaign for the bonds throughout the fall, Qualls said.
Democratic Lt. Gov. Tim Kaine and Attorney General Jerry Kilgore, a Republican, also will attend today's event to support the referendum.
The attendance of all of Virginia's statewide elected officials, regardless of party, indicates the broad bipartisan support for the bond among elected officials. The bills authorizing the bond passed the House of Delegates and State Senate on unanimous or near-unanimous votes.
"The bond issues are supported by just about everyone in public office," Sabato said.
The bonds carry a total price tag of $846 million, the proceeds of which will be distributed to institutions of higher education throughout the state. Virginia ballots also will include a referendum on $119 million for parks and natural areas.
The bonds amount to a long-term loan by the state. The budget crises as well as low interest rates prompted the state government to rely on the bonds rather than regular appropriations to fund the higher education projects, Sabato said.
"Because interest rates are low it's a very good time to borrow," Qualls said.
Buses will leave for the rally at 11 a.m. in Scott Stadium's West parking lot.
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