Wednesday, November 12, 2025
Wednesday, November 12, 2025
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Bill Cole Sworn in to House of Delegates

Bill Cole (R-Mercer), of Bluefield, was sworn in June 4, 2010, by House Clerk Greg Gray, to fill the vacancy of the 24th District West Virginia House of Delegates seat left by John Shott, who last month was selected to fill the 10th District Senate seat due to the passing of Don Caruth.

Cole has operated several businesses in West Virginia and is the current owner of Cole Automotive Group in Bluefield and Bill Cole Nissan Honda in Ashland, Ky.

Pictured from left is House Clerk Greg Gray, Bill Cole and his wife and daughters.

Annual Run For the Wall

The sounds of rolling thunder echoed through the Kanawha Valley today as motorcyclists made their way to the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D.C. for the Memorial Day weekend.

The Run For the Wall, first started in 1989, brings veterans of all ages and from all conflicts involving US Armed Forces together on their journey across the country toward the nation’s Capital. Friends, family and fellow riders work together on their stated mission to promote healing among all veterans and their families and friends, to call for an accounting of all Prisoners of War and those Missing in Action (POW/MIA), to honor the memory of those Killed in Action (KIA) from all wars, and to support our military personnel all over the world.

The procession stopped at the West Virginia Veterans Memorial for a ceremony honoring and remembering West Virginians who paid the ultimate price in defense of freedom. Afterward, the Run for the Wall continues on through Rainelle, WV and Lewisburg, WV prior to arriving in Washington, D.C. for weekend festivities.

Mike Hall Selected as Senate Minority Leader

Mike Hall has been selected by the Senate Republican Caucus to serve as the Senate Minority Leader. Hall replaces the recently deceased Don Caruth in that capacity.

Hall, a businessman and Marshall University graduate, has served in the Legislature since his election to the House of Delegates in 1994. He served in that body for 12 years before his election to the Senate in 2006. A native of Huntington, W.Va., Hall served as Minority Whip in the 75th Legislature.

Hall, who represents the 4th Senatorial District, currently serves on a wide range of legislative committees including Judiciary, Banking and Insurance, Economic Development and Health and Human Resources.

John H. Shott Sworn in to State Senate

John H. Shott of Bluefield was sworn into the State Senate on May 25, 2010. Appointed to serve the 10th Senatorial District, consisting of Greenbrier, Monroe, Summers and parts of Fayette and Mercer counties, Shott replaces the recently deceased Don Caruth.

Initially elected to represent the 24th District in the House of Delegates in 2008, Shott’s legislative experience includes service on various committees, including Education, Senior Citizen Issues and Energy, Industry and Labor.

Aside from his service in the West Virginia Legislature, Shott is an attorney in Bluefield. He is also a member of the West Virginia State Bar, American and West Virginia Association for Justice, and the Mercer County Building Commission.

Sworn in by Mercer Circuit Judge Derek Swope, Shott pledged to serve the citizens of the South eastern district as friends, family and dignitaries filled the chamber to show their support.

May Interim Meetings Begin Today

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Lawmakers return to the Capitol building this week for monthly interim meetings taking place today through Wednesday. The 2010 Interim Study Assignments were approved in April and meetings will continue monthly through January 2011.

The May Interim Schedule is available online as well as a May Interim Schedule with Agendas.

Most of the meetings over the next three days are open to the public for interested citizens who are encouraged to attend.

Legislature Adjourns 1st Extraordinary Session of 2010 Sine Die

Standing in force, Governor Joe Manchin, Senate President Earl Ray Tomblin, Speaker of the House Richard Thompson, State Superintendent Steve Paine, Senate and House Education Chairs Senator Robert Plymale and Delegate Mary Poling and spokespersons for the teachers’ organizations (WVEA and AFT), conducted a news conference prior to the close of the First Extraordinary Session of 2010 – which focused on education.

The President and the Speaker reiterated the Governor’s enthusiasm regarding education reform in West Virginia. However, because of the complexities involved in overhauling the school system in a confined time-line, all agreed to return to Charleston on June 7th to continue their deliberations.

Having contacted Secretary Arne Duncan at the Department of Education in Washington D.C., the state officials were notified there would be a third round of the federal program Race To The Top. With the progress West Virginia has made in recent days, all of the state leaders believe a consensus can be made with the intent of providing West Virginia’s children the “equalizer” of a quality education.

A working committee made up of representatives from the various teacher organizations, the State Board of Education and 10 lawmakers selected by the President and the Speaker will continue to review, study and prepare a comprehensive plan which will provide for a solid consensus but all involved prior to their return on June 7th.

The members of the working group appointed by the President and Speaker include: Senators Robert Plymale, Erik Wells, Richard Browning, Dan Foster and Jesse Guills as well as Delegates Mary Poling, Ron Fragale, Tom Campbell, Josh Stowers and Ray Canterbury.

All agreed to be prepared to work for all West Virginia children so they can enjoy the American dream.

The Legislature is adjourned Sine Die.

Senate Honors Life of Senator Don Caruth

The Senate met briefly this morning to adopt Senate Resolution 103, which memorializes the life of the Honorable Donald T. Caruth.

The Senate is in recess until 4:00 p.m.

House Passes Professional Personnel Evaluation Bill

Senate Bill 1002 which would provide for annual evaluations of professional personnel in the public schools was passed by the House of Delegates a day after being amended to include the provisions of House Bill 111. The bill now goes back to the Senate for consideration.

Delegates also reported House Bill 106 to the floor from the Education Committee and read it a 1st time prior to being referred to the Finance Committee. This bill would require compulsory comprehensive health screening for students entering public school for the first time in this state and students entering third, sixth and ninth grades.

Members also adopted House Resolution 101 celebrating the life and lamenting the passing of the Honorable Donald Thomas Caruth, attorney, musician, civic leader, former member of the West Virginia House of Delegates, member of the West Virginia Senate, Minority Leader of the Senate, Distinguished West Virginian and dedicated statesman.

The House is in recess until 3:00 p.m.

The following House Committees will meet today:

Education Subcommittee on Senate Bill 1006 – 11:30 a.m. – 434M

Finance – 11:45 a.m. – 460M

Education Subcommittee on Senate Bill 1013 – 1:00 p.m. – 434M

Education Subcommittee on Senate Bill 1007 – 1:00 p.m. – 434M

Education – 2:00 p.m. – 434M

Senate Completes Action on One Bill, Passes Two Others on to House

Senate Bill 1024, which will make a supplementary appropriation from the State Fund, General Revenue, to various accounts, completed legislative action tonight when the Senate passed the bill after accepting House amendments from earlier today.

The Senate also passed Senate Bill 1007, which creates Charter Innovation Schools, and Senate Bill 1008, which relates to compulsory comprehensive health screenings for students. These measures will now move on to the House for consideration.

The Senate has adjourned until 11:00 a.m. tomorrow.

House Completes Action on Behavioral Mental Health Services Fund Bill

House members meeting for a 1 p.m. floor session passed 10 supplemental appropriation bills as well as Senate Bill 1010, which creates a Behavioral Mental Health Services Fund.

Among the 10 supplemental appropriation bills passed today were Senate Bill 1014, which makes a supplementary appropriation of federal funds to the Office of Economic Opportunity Community Services and Workforce WV and Senate Bill 1023, which makes a supplemental appropriation and amends items from the State Road Fund to the Office of Administrative Hearings. These bills have all now completed legislative action and await approval from the Governor.

Another supplemental appropriation measure, Senate Bill 1024, which would make a supplementary appropriation from the State Fund, General Revenue, to various accounts, was amended and now goes back to the Senate for approval.

Two bills on 2nd reading on the House Calendar were read and advanced to 3rd reading. They were House Bill 111 which would provide for annual evaluations of professional personnel in the public schools and its Senate counterpart, Senate Bill 1002, which was amended to include the House bill provisions.

Senate Bill 1013 was also received from the Senate, taken up for immediate consideration and read a first time prior to being referred to the Education Committee. This bill relates to the hiring of professional school personnel.

The House is in recess until 7:00 p.m.

The following House Committee will meet today, May 18th, 2010:

Education Subcommittee on House Bill 106 – 3:00 p.m. – 434M

Education – 6:30 p.m. – 434M

After reconvening following a recess House members met to receive Senate messages. Delegates refused to concur with Senate changes for House Bill 109, which would create teacher empowerment teams and asked to Senate to recede their amendment.

Members also received messages regarding the passage from the Senate of Senate Bill 1007, which creates Charter Innovation Schools, and Senate Bill 1008, which relates to compulsory comprehensive health screenings for students. These bills were taken up for immediate consideration and read a 1st time prior to being referred to the House Education committee.

The House stands adjourned until 11:00 a.m. tomorrow, May 19th, 2010.

The House Education Committee will continue its previous meeting following the floor session at approximately 7:15 p.m. in Room 434M.

The following House Committees will meet tomorrow, May 19th, 2010:

Education Subcommittee on Senate Bill 1006 – 10:00 a.m. – 434M