Good morning and welcome back to 60 Days.
Today is Monday, February 6th, 2023 — the 27th day of the West Virginia Legislature’s regular session.
Following a weekend in which the nation was distracted by that suspected Chinese spy balloon that was shot down off the coast of South Carolina, what are the odds that we see a bill introduced this week that has a short title that goes something like this: “Prohibiting certain balloons from violating West Virginia’s air space?”
If a balloon bill happens, Dave and I will let you know. If you’d rather skip the lame balloon jokes and go straight to the coffee, here’s the button you need to hit to join the 60 Days coffee club.
If you’re keeping score at home, this week is kicking off with no movement on Governor Justice’s proposal to cut personal income taxes by 50% over three years. It’s caught between the Governor’s enthusiasm and the Senate’s disdain. Justice has been traveling the state to gin up support for the plan he announced during his State of the State speech, but Senate Finance Committee Chairman Eric Tarr said last week he’d prefer Justice to simply get out of the way.
MetroNews used a popular 80s rock anthem from Dave’s favorite band, Bon Jovi, to headline a story on where things stand as the session moves toward the halfway point this week.
Speaking of Governor Justice, his name turned up in my inbox as I was writing this last night. Axios is reporting that if Justice decides to run for U.S. Senate in 2024, it could turn into “one of the messiest statewide campaigns in recent West Virginia history.”
Despite the headline, the Axios story focuses more on Governor Justice.
Last week’s public hearing on and subsequent House passage of HB 2007, the bill prohibiting gender affirming care for transgender youth, seems to have sucked the air out of major bills moving through the legislature — at least, for now. To be sure, Governor Justice’s tax plan is still shaking out and there’s also the overhaul of the Department of Health and Human Resources. We haven’t heard much about that lately, have we?
In any case, the transgender care bill is listed as being among the House bills that are pending in the Senate, which seems to have a relatively mild schedule today. It is Monday, after all.
The Senate convenes its floor session at the usual time, gaveling in at 11 a.m. You can find the complete Senate Calendar for today here, but there are several bills on third reading, the passage stage of the legislative process.
Eng. Com. Sub. for S. B. 232 - Creating study group to make recommendations regarding diversion of persons with disabilities from criminal justice system
Eng. Com. Sub. for S. B. 463 - Increasing validity of CDL instruction permit (original similar to HB3032)
Eng. Com. Sub. for S. B. 472 - Creating criminal offense of indecent exposure in front of minors - (With right to amend)
Eng. H. B. 2835 - Repeal outdated provisions of code relating to the West Virginia graduate college and Marshall University (original similar to SB445)
There are no Senate committees meetings this morning, but a few are scheduled for this afternoon:
1 p.m.: Military (208W) Agenda TBA
2 p.m.: Agriculture and Natural Resources (208W) Agenda TBA
2 p.m.: Banking and Insurance (451M) Agenda TBA
3 p.m.: Judiciary (208W)
3 p.m.: Finance (451M) Budget Presentation: West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals
The House’s floor session is also scheduled for 11 a.m. You can find the chamber’s floor agenda here. Two bills are on third reading today.
Com. Sub. for H. B. 2789 - Removing birthing centers from certificate of need (Summers) (Effective From Passage)
H. B. 3141 - Relating to the practice of dentistry (Summers) (Regular)
The House committee schedule looks like this:
10:45 a.m.: Committee on Rules Meeting Behind Chamber
1 p.m.: Committee on Finance Room 460-M
1 p.m.: Committee on Government Organization Room 215-E
2 p.m. Committee on Education Room 432-M
3 p.m. Committee on the Judiciary Room 410-M
Thanks for having your morning coffee with us.
Dave and I appreciate it.
As always, you can reach us with any questions or concerns at 60daysgilesdave@gmail.com. Or simply leave a comment here:
I’m on Twitter @GilesSnyder and Dave can be found @davemistich.
See you back here tomorrow morning.