Friday, February 26, 2010
W. Va. Lawmakers Ponder Special Session
WEST VIRGINIA....
Some lawmakers say the regular session has been extremely slow, and only a few bills have passed both the House and the Senate. But some Democrats say there are issues too important to rush through. The major issue is the state's unfunded liability for retiree health benefits which has grown to nearly $8 billion. Senator Brooks McCabe (D-Kanawha County) says they've been working on the issue since last year and they need more time, so, a special session is needed. But some Republicans say there is no need for a special session, and those issues really deserve a whole session, not a special session. They say House leadership needs to get with Senate leadership and the governor and hammer out a compromise this session. Delegate Troy Andes (R-Putnam County) says. "There's no reason that we need to come back to Charleston and waste taxpayer dollars." Governor Joe Manchin says, if lawmakers come back, they'll deal with several issues.
Some lawmakers say the regular session has been extremely slow, and only a few bills have passed both the House and the Senate. But some Democrats say there are issues too important to rush through. The major issue is the state's unfunded liability for retiree health benefits which has grown to nearly $8 billion. Senator Brooks McCabe (D-Kanawha County) says they've been working on the issue since last year and they need more time, so, a special session is needed. But some Republicans say there is no need for a special session, and those issues really deserve a whole session, not a special session. They say House leadership needs to get with Senate leadership and the governor and hammer out a compromise this session. Delegate Troy Andes (R-Putnam County) says. "There's no reason that we need to come back to Charleston and waste taxpayer dollars." Governor Joe Manchin says, if lawmakers come back, they'll deal with several issues.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 7:43 AM 
