Day Seven: The floor sessions may seem slow, but the wheels are turning in committee
Education, the judicial system and -- of course -- DHHR are on the ra
Good morning and welcome back to 60 Days.
Today is Tuesday, January 17th, 2023 — the seventh day of the West Virginia Legislature’s regular session.
By my calculations, that means we are more than one-tenth of the way through this thing. Do us a favor — if you’re enjoying our newsletter, share it with your political junkie friends and family members.
Now that I’ve gotten my audience growth duties out of the way, grab your cup of coffee and let’s get down to to business.
Both the House and Senate made quick work of their respective floor sessions yesterday. With it being the start of the session and bills being sent to committee (except for the blitz of bills passed by the Senate early on), this is to be expected. There will be a steady stream of bills on the floor soon enough.
In yesterday’s meeting of House education, members of the panel heard from state Superintendent of Schools David Roach. While no bills were on the agenda, Roach got down to business as he discussed how to address the state’s poor literacy scores.
“The approach is simple: prioritize reading, writing and math at the elementary level to build a solid foundation for our youngest learners,” he told the panel. “At the secondary level, we will continue to build and enhance skills in reading and math to ensure students can confidently pursue additional educational opportunities or enter the workforce or military upon graduation.”
According to data from the National Assessment for Educational Progress, West Virginia 4th and 8th grade students have scored lower in reading and math — compared to years prior and national averages.
Over in Senate Judiciary, lawmakers cleared a pair of measures and put them back down on the conveyor belt to continue their journey through the legislative process.
SB 53 would require those arrested on the felony charge of violence against a person, burglary or an offense against a minor submit to a DNA analysis upon arrest. Lawmakers on the panel had actually started work on the bill last week, before tabling it over constitutional issues. A committee substitute now heads to Senate Finance.
The other bill the Senate Judiciary Committee moved along , SB 115, creates a set of procedures for the state to select delegates to an Article V convention, which is one mechanism for amending the U.S. Constitution.
Last session, lawmakers approved a concurrent resolution to call for a convention of states.
It’s kind of a convoluted process (really too long to break down fully in a newsletter.) But you can read a little more about it yourself. (A good, seemingly non-partisan source can be found in the National Constitution Center.)
If you feel like delving into the complexities of Article V, you might want to get another cup of coffee ready. Which reminds me:
Looking ahead to this morning, the House and Senate each will gavel in at 11 a.m.
On second reading in the House today is the governor’s tax reform proposal, HB 2526.
The Senate also has one bill on the floor amendment stage: SB 83, which would authorize some “tactical” medical professionals to carry a firearm.
No bills are expected to go up for passage in either chamber.
So, let’s refocus back on committee meetings already scheduled for today.
House Committee Meetings:
9 a.m. – House Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources will meet in the East Wing Committee Room, 215E.
9 a.m. – House Committee on Banking and Insurance will meet in the Judiciary Committee Room, 410M.
10 a.m. – House Committee on Pensions and Retirement will meet in the House Finance Committee Room, 460M
1 p.m. – House Committee on Technology and Infrastructure will meet in the Education Committee Room 434M
2 p.m. – House Committee on Economic Development and Tourism, Room 460M
3 p.m. – House Committee on Health and Human Resources, Room 215E
Of note on the agenda in House Health is HB 2006, which calls for a reorganization of the state Department of Health and Human Resources.
Senate Committee Meetings:
9 a.m. — Senate Committee on Education, Room 451M
9 a.m. — Senate Committee Government Organization, Room 208W
By the way, if you’re not following WVMetroNews statehouse reporter Brad McElhinny, you’re missing out. Not only is he among the capitol press corps’ most accomplished and respected journalists, but Brad actually gave me my first-ever paying gig in journalism.
Long story short: Brad and me are both from Wood County. When I talked to him for the first time (which seems like a million years ago now) and learned that, I also found out went to the same elementary, junior high, high school and both graduated from the journalism department at Marshall (not at the same time, though). And then I told him he had to give me a shot — otherwise, he was disrespecting his own academic credentials. Believe it or not, it worked.
Aside from being a total machine at covering the statehouse, Brad likes to have a little fun and keep things lighthearted whenever possible. And honestly, who doesn't like pet pics?
That does it for me this morning.
Thanks for making it this far along into the session with us.
If you have any questions, comments, suggestions or complaints, you can reach us at 60daysgilesdave@gmail.com. You can follow me on Twitter @davemistich and Giles is @gilessnyder.