Area Lawmakers Discuss Special Session Agenda

Area legislators made their way to Charleston this week to participate in special and interim sessions. Delegates Bill Hartman and Bill Proudfoot, both D-37th District, are working with other lawmakers to participate in committee discussions and tweak bills Gov. Joe Manchin vetoed during the regular session. Appropriating funding to programs and state agencies is another aspect of the session, according to State Sen. Clark Barnes, R-15th District.

Lawmakers are working to relieve some of the financial burden of fuel prices by introducing House Bill 218. The bill would freeze the variable rate component of the gasoline tax for the 2009 calendar year. Hartman said it's likely the bill will pass.

The tax money that would be lost if the gasoline tax bill passes will be covered by $40 million from the state's general fund, Hartman explained. The money will be used for highway and road maintenance, Hartman said.

During forest management review commission sessions, Hartman and other legislators have examined several aspects of the timber and wood industry.

West Virginia's timber businesses are currently experiencing a decline, the lowest in 40 years, Hartman explained. Legislators are researching the global market and looking at how West Virginia can compete with the world economy and all avenues of the timber market, Hartman said.

Proudfoot's interim session meetings included how to recruit and retain volunteer firefighters. One idea for retention is to offer college credit to those who complete firefighter training, Proudfoot explained.

"It was a very good meeting," Proudfoot said. "Volunteer firefighters are so important to communities."

The select committee is also discussing ways to fund volunteer fire departments, Proudfoot said. Although actions are unlikely to be taken during the special session regarding volunteer firefighters, Proudfoot expects legislation to be introduced during the 2009 legislative session.

House Bill 219, which would limit the influence of corporations on elections, is also undergoing some changes in order for the bill to become a law, Proudfoot explained.

"This will help us to have better elections - instead of powerful organizations controlling elections," Proudfoot said.

Barnes explained that the session has given legislators time to appropriate funding to programs and state agencies.

The legislature has appropriated $5 million to purchase and preserve land at Blackwater Canyon; $5 million toward the Broadband Fund, which will help areas in the state unserved by Broadband receive the service; $3.5 million to the Department and Health and Human Resources to pay bills for the West Virginia Birth to Three Program; $1.4 million to the PROMISE Scholarship fund to ensure it is solvent through 2010; and $1 million toward domestic violence shelters, which are serving more families, Barnes said.