The special legislative session that wasn't
The West Virginia Weakly Reader for Saturday, December 7, 2024
The week in West Virginia news started early.
Following a devastating loss to Texas Tech, Neal Brown was fired Sunday after six seasons as the head coach of West Virginia University’s football team. On Tuesday, outgoing Sen. Joe Manchin delivered his final address from the Senate floor and after word began trickling out about a potential special legislative session to be held this weekend, the giant 54-foot Christmas tree in front of the state Capitol in Charleston came crashing down amid high winds.
If it was an omen, state officials seem to have heeded it. The special session never materialized.
Anyway, they say the best way to shake feelings of impending doom is to do a good deed.
It’s the Christmas season, after all.
The West Virginia Weakly Reader (sources cited in the footnotes)
🤔 The buzz surrounding a last-minute special legislative session ostensibly to be held today started bubbling up on social media Wednesday night, but it all came to naught. The call from Gov. Justice never came amid confusion over whether those lawmakers elected in November would have to be sworn in to vote on a bill that reportedly would have benefited Berkshire Hathaway, which is building a solar energy powered facility in Jackson County.1 2 The governor’s Chief of Staff Brian Abraham issued a statement late Friday alluding to “a major economic opportunity in southern West Virginia.” And he expressed disappointment that the special session did not come together. “We met with legislative leadership to plan a one-day special session right on the front end of already-scheduled interim meetings,” Abraham said. “One day. One bill. One enormous opportunity missed.”3
🤕 The special session would have come one day before state lawmakers were due in Charleston anyway. They will be at the state Capitol for December interim meetings beginning Sunday and if the leader of the American Federation of Teachers-West Virginia has her way, they’ll be hearing from union teachers about the Public Employees Insurance Agency. AFT-WV President Kristi Skidmore is urging teachers to call their lawmakers after the PEIA Finance Board met Thursday to approve a proposal that raises the cost of health insurance for public employees and retirees.4 In a statement, Skidmore acknowledged the board made some “positive” changes to the plan, but she said it is still “financially devastating.”5
🏈 The Neal Brown-era at WVU may be over, but there is still a bowl game to play. The Mountaineers learned Wednesday that they will play Memphis in the Frisco Bowl in Frisco, Texas on Tuesday, December 17.6 In the absence of Brown, WVMetroNews reported Monday that Chad Scott will lead the team as interim head coach.7 A permanent successor? WVU Athletic Director Wren Baker said this week he’s casting a wide net.8 Media speculation includes a couple of familiar names — West Virginia natives Rich Rodriguez and Jimbo Fisher.
🏈 In Huntington, Marshall University head football coach, Charles Huff, is at the center of speculation about his future. With his contract up this season and no word of an extension at MU, he’s been linked to other open head coaching gigs, including at Southern Mississippi. First though, he’s got a title game to get through. He’ll be guiding the Herd in this evening’s Sun Belt championship against Louisiana. The game is set for 7:30 p.m. on ESPN.9
😟 Hall of Fame wide reciever and former Marshall standout Randy Moss is stepping away from ESPN’s “Sunday NFL Countdown.” The network says he will be away for an extended period to deal with a personal health challenge.10 Exactly what Moss is contending with is not clear, but he first referred to it two Instagram posts last weekend.1112
🛥️ Joe Manchin may be giving up his U.S. Senate seat at the end of the year, but his house boat docked in Washington, D.C. will remain open for business — at least for now. On the day (Tuesday) Manchin delivered his final address from the Senate floor,13 Politco’s Inside Congress newsletter quoted him as saying he’ll be around D.C. “for at least another year or more, and that he’ll use his boat to host the same way he always has.” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer apparently has happy memories of gathering on Manchin’s boat — including Italian food and bipartisan sing-a-longs to hits from the 50s, 60s and 70s.14 By the way, if you’re looking for a succinct review of Manchin’s speech, look no further than WVMetroNews reporter Brad McElhinny, who offered this quip on social media — “Manchin, in the end, says the Senate didn’t suck.”15
🎁 During his administration briefing on Wednesday, Gov. Justice said Greenbrier County had a “really, really good day.” As he prepares to leave the governor’s office to take up the Senate seat Manchin is vacating, Justice presented Greenbrier East and Greenbrier West High Schools with more than one-million dollars to upgrade their athletic facilities.16 The money is coming from the tax-payer funded governor’s contingency account. More than $654,000 is going to Greenbrier East to upgrade lighting at the football field and to replace the water-damaged basketball court, where Justice can famously be found coaching the Greenbrier East girls basketball team.
💰 Gov. Justice also talked about state finances during his briefing. After years of flat budgets, Justice said he’s not aware of any budget holes incoming governor Patrick Morissey will need to fill.17 State officials said this week that state revenue figures are running some $5 million ahead of projections.18
🔥 Crews began tearing down the Beckley mansion of the late Gov. Hulett C. Smith this week. The home was severely damaged in a fire in October. Two people have been charged with arson. The Raleigh County Commission is paying for the demolition, but says it expects to be reimbursed by current owner Jay Justice, Gov. Justice’s son.19
🚷 Charleston could join Monongalia County and the city of Wheeling with ordinances on the books that restrict panhandling. City Council began considering legislation this week aimed at deterring interaction between people in vehicles and pedestrians. Supporters cast the legislation as a public safety measure rather than a crackdown on those experiencing homelessness.20 It’s based on Mon County’s ordinance, which is now facing a court challenge. A class-action lawsuit was filed Wednesday.21
😲 Council members of the Wayne County town of Fort Gay are to hold a special meeting Monday evening (Dec. 9) after accepting the resignations of Mayor Joetta Hatfield and Treasurer and Recorder Sheila Bowen. The two were arrested last month and charged with multiple financial crimes after an investigation by the state Auditor’s Office. They are accused of stealing more than $316,000 from the town and working to conceal their crimes.22
⚖️ Former Buckhannon mayor and city councilman David McCauley has entered into an agreement with federal prosecutors in which he pleaded guilty to one count of possession of child pornography. McCauley entered his plea in federal court Thursday. Prosecutors say he enticed a 17-year-old boy to engage in sexually explicit conduct for photo and video production. He faces up to 10 years in prison.23
What we’re reading: Opinion and whatnot
Reporter’s Notebook: An educated guess ~ Steven Allen Adams, Parkersburg News and Sentinel
Fixing PEIA will require investment from state ~ Charleston Gazette-Mail editorial
There’s only one perfect candidate for the West Virginia head coaching job ~ Brad Smith, Voice of Morgantown
Special session idea comes and goes after confusion about who could vote ~ Amelia Ferrell Knisely, West Virginia Watch
Proposed weekend special session not happening; Confusion draws criticism ~ Steven Allen Adams, The Wheeling Intelligencer
A message from Governor Justice’s Chief of Staff Brian Abraham ~ Justice Administration statement
PEIA Finance Board approves increases to premiums, deductibles, other costs ~ Ashley Perham, Charleston Gazette-Mail
Chad Scott to serve as Mountaineers’ interim head coach for bowl game ~ Greg Carey, WVMetroNews
WVU football: Wren Baker ‘casting a wide net’ in coaching search ~ Greg Hunter, BlueGoldNews.com
Championship hopes weighing heavy on Herd early in week ~ Luke Creasy, Huntington Herald-Dispatch
Randy Moss taking extended leave from ESPN role due to health ~ ESPN statement
Open invite from Almost Heaven ~ Politico’s ‘Inside Congress’ newsletter
Gov. Justice delivers over $1 million to Greenbrier East and Greenbrier West High Schools for athletic facility upgrades ~ Justice Administration press release
West Virginia Capitol Capital: Justice says no hole to fill in fiscal year 2026 budget ~ Steven Allen Adams, Parkersburg News and Sentinel
Latest state revenue ticks up, but there’s not much give for ambitious spending next year ~ Brad McElhinny, WVMetroNews
Beckley mansion being demolished following fire ~ Josephine E. Moore, The Register-Herald
Charleston is latest WV municipality to consider legislation that would restrict panhandling ~ Lori Kersey, West Virginia Watch
Lawsuit alleges Monongalia County ordinance violates First Amendment rights of panhandlers ~ Lori Kersey, West Virginia Watch
Fort Gay Town Council accepts resignations of mayor, recorder; sets special meeting date ~ Jeston Richardson, Huntington Herald-Dispatch
Buckhannon man admits to child pornography charge ~ Press release, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of West Virginia
