Saturday, March 01, 2008
Weekly Legislative Report By WV State Senator Truman H. Chafin
On the 54th day of the 60 day 2008 Legislative Session, the House and Senate observe what is commonly called, "cross over" day.
Simply stated, all Senate bills must be passed out of the Senate and voted upon by midnight on the 54th day, else the bills cannot be considered without a special resolution passed by two thirds of the members of each house. The same rule applies for the House of Delegates, that by the 54th day they must pass all House bills and send them to the Senate before midnight. During the last week of the regular session, each house considers the other’s bills. Thus, we are now only considering House bills for passage in the Senate and the House is only considering Senate bills.
The 54th crossover day this year was extremely productive for West Virginia and particularly Southern West Virginia. The Severance Tax Bill contained in Senate Bill 735 which I sponsored, was unanimously passed by the Senate Finance Committee and on the Senate floor Wednesday evening by a margin of 23 to 10.
This bill will pay fifty thousand dollars for every 1 million dollars of severance tax sent to Charleston by that particular county. For example, Mingo County pays approximately twenty-six million dollars in severance taxes from coal, oil, timber, gas and other minerals each year and thus, would receive $1.3 million in return. This money would go to improve the lives of those residing in the counties for such needs as infrastructure, recreational purposes and/or senior citizens.
Several other important measures were likewise passed this year including bills dealing with firemen and policemen’s pensions, deputy sheriff’s retirement, school employee’s personal leave, issuing tuition waivers for children and spouses serving in the National Guard and military services, mandating hunter-safety programs in public schools; and one that I am very proud of, establishing a Uniforms Incentive Plan pilot program for schools within our state.
The School Uniform Incentive Program will allow the first ten schools that apply to receive a grant of $10,000 each to establish a pilot program whereby school uniforms will be implemented in that school. As you know, with the current prices of clothing, groceries, gas and other necessities, I suggest it is past time that we adopt a School Uniform Policy whereby children will not have to compete with their peers regarding their clothing, and thus, there would be no distractions by some of the articles of clothing now being worn by certain individuals.
The cost of school uniforms will be drastically less expensive than a complete wardrobe, and will provide discipline, dedication to school work and relieve peer-pressure when it comes to certain types and brands of clothing worn by fellow students. Remember the military. The first thing that happens to you is an appropriate haircut and uniform. I hope you agree with this bill and if so, please let my office know and I will pass your decision along to the rest of the Senate.
Another important bill that passed on crossover day was a bill called the Castle Doctrine, and it simply relates to the use of reasonable force in defense of self, real and personal property. As they say, our home is indeed our castle and we should always have a right to bear arms and use reasonable force in defense of one’s self, family, real and personal property.
An important bill for the state was the establishment of a West Virginia Research Trust Fund whereby Marshall and West Virginia University will be endowed with fifty million dollars to attract and keep in the WV Workforce, top trained and educated individuals for the betterment of all aspects of life in West Virginia.
We also appointed an additional judge in three judicial districts, including two in the 6th Senatorial District, one each in Mercer and Wayne Counties. Mingo County was also in line to have an additional judge, but during consultation with Circuit Judge Michael Thornsbury, he indicated that he did not desire to have a second judge in the 30th Judicial Circuit.
We also authorized the school building authority to issue one hundred million dollars in bonds to be paid by the state excess lottery fund, providing some twenty-six million dollars for construction of schools in the Southern part of West Virginia.
We are considering passage of a bill relating to the threat of use of a firearm or other deadly weapon as an element of first degree robbery, a bill law enforcement officers fully support.
We have spent many hours leading up to the 54th day, and as we break for the weekend, more long hours lie ahead before the session adjourns at midnight on Saturday, March 8th.
I am very proud of many fine accomplishments thus far during this legislative session including the appropriation of thousands of dollars for the 6th Senatorial District - and particularly the passage of the Severance Bill.
"The roots of happiness grows deepest in the soil of service."
I am honored to be of service to the citizens of West Virginia and also pay a special tribute to my two fine house colleagues, Delegates Harry Keith White, House Finance Chairman and Douglas Steve Kominar who also know that happiness is the dividend of service.
I remind you to contact my office if you have any questions or comments regarding current legislation. You may reach me by calling 304-357-7870 or 7808.
Simply stated, all Senate bills must be passed out of the Senate and voted upon by midnight on the 54th day, else the bills cannot be considered without a special resolution passed by two thirds of the members of each house. The same rule applies for the House of Delegates, that by the 54th day they must pass all House bills and send them to the Senate before midnight. During the last week of the regular session, each house considers the other’s bills. Thus, we are now only considering House bills for passage in the Senate and the House is only considering Senate bills.
The 54th crossover day this year was extremely productive for West Virginia and particularly Southern West Virginia. The Severance Tax Bill contained in Senate Bill 735 which I sponsored, was unanimously passed by the Senate Finance Committee and on the Senate floor Wednesday evening by a margin of 23 to 10.
This bill will pay fifty thousand dollars for every 1 million dollars of severance tax sent to Charleston by that particular county. For example, Mingo County pays approximately twenty-six million dollars in severance taxes from coal, oil, timber, gas and other minerals each year and thus, would receive $1.3 million in return. This money would go to improve the lives of those residing in the counties for such needs as infrastructure, recreational purposes and/or senior citizens.
Several other important measures were likewise passed this year including bills dealing with firemen and policemen’s pensions, deputy sheriff’s retirement, school employee’s personal leave, issuing tuition waivers for children and spouses serving in the National Guard and military services, mandating hunter-safety programs in public schools; and one that I am very proud of, establishing a Uniforms Incentive Plan pilot program for schools within our state.
The School Uniform Incentive Program will allow the first ten schools that apply to receive a grant of $10,000 each to establish a pilot program whereby school uniforms will be implemented in that school. As you know, with the current prices of clothing, groceries, gas and other necessities, I suggest it is past time that we adopt a School Uniform Policy whereby children will not have to compete with their peers regarding their clothing, and thus, there would be no distractions by some of the articles of clothing now being worn by certain individuals.
The cost of school uniforms will be drastically less expensive than a complete wardrobe, and will provide discipline, dedication to school work and relieve peer-pressure when it comes to certain types and brands of clothing worn by fellow students. Remember the military. The first thing that happens to you is an appropriate haircut and uniform. I hope you agree with this bill and if so, please let my office know and I will pass your decision along to the rest of the Senate.
Another important bill that passed on crossover day was a bill called the Castle Doctrine, and it simply relates to the use of reasonable force in defense of self, real and personal property. As they say, our home is indeed our castle and we should always have a right to bear arms and use reasonable force in defense of one’s self, family, real and personal property.
An important bill for the state was the establishment of a West Virginia Research Trust Fund whereby Marshall and West Virginia University will be endowed with fifty million dollars to attract and keep in the WV Workforce, top trained and educated individuals for the betterment of all aspects of life in West Virginia.
We also appointed an additional judge in three judicial districts, including two in the 6th Senatorial District, one each in Mercer and Wayne Counties. Mingo County was also in line to have an additional judge, but during consultation with Circuit Judge Michael Thornsbury, he indicated that he did not desire to have a second judge in the 30th Judicial Circuit.
We also authorized the school building authority to issue one hundred million dollars in bonds to be paid by the state excess lottery fund, providing some twenty-six million dollars for construction of schools in the Southern part of West Virginia.
We are considering passage of a bill relating to the threat of use of a firearm or other deadly weapon as an element of first degree robbery, a bill law enforcement officers fully support.
We have spent many hours leading up to the 54th day, and as we break for the weekend, more long hours lie ahead before the session adjourns at midnight on Saturday, March 8th.
I am very proud of many fine accomplishments thus far during this legislative session including the appropriation of thousands of dollars for the 6th Senatorial District - and particularly the passage of the Severance Bill.
"The roots of happiness grows deepest in the soil of service."
I am honored to be of service to the citizens of West Virginia and also pay a special tribute to my two fine house colleagues, Delegates Harry Keith White, House Finance Chairman and Douglas Steve Kominar who also know that happiness is the dividend of service.
I remind you to contact my office if you have any questions or comments regarding current legislation. You may reach me by calling 304-357-7870 or 7808.
# posted by Joe Kinzer @ 10:38 AM 
