Blog – Page 364

Senate Celebrates Veterans Visibility Day, Remembers Beloved Senator

Senate Floor Session

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February 16, 2009

Senate members introduced 18 bills today, which brings the total number of bills introduced in the Senate this session to 272. Of the bills introduced, Senate Bill 265 authorizes a tax credit for new teachers in critical needs areas, Senate Bill 266 increases the tax credit received for non family adoptions and Senate Bill 270 relates to the Public School Support Plan.

Members heard Senate Joint Resolution 9, which proposes an amendment to the Constitution designated Homestead Exemption Increase Amendment. They also adopted Senate Resolution 19, which recognized the “Take a Veteran to School Day” program, and Senate Resolution 10, which designates today as Veterans Visibility Day. Several veterans were in attendance to see the resolution adopted.

Members honored former Senator William “Bill” Sharpe, who passed away this past Sunday. He served the Senate for 44 years. Several Senators spoke on his behalf in remembrance of the former President Pro Tempore.

The following committees will meet today:

Pensions – 2:00 p.m. – 451M
Finance – 3:00 p.m.- 451M

The following committees will meet tomorrow:

Economic Development – 9:00 a.m. – 451M
Transportation – 10:00 a.m. – 451M
Banking and Insurance – 2:00 p.m. – 208W

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

House Adopts Veterans Initiative

House Floor Session

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February 16, 2009

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The House adopted House Resolution 9 which encourages West Virginia educators to participate in future “Take a Veteran to School Initiative.” Children will have the opportunity hear first-hand accounts of life in the service and get to know veterans from their communities on a personal level. In recognition of the sacrifices made by our veterans, the House commemorated Veterans Visibility Day and many veterans were present in and around the chamber.

Two bills were on first reading today. House Bill 2305 would revise the appointment and compensation provisions of the Supreme Court Clerk and his or her staff. House Bill 2306 relates to impersonation of a public official or employee.

The following committees will meet today:

Finance- 1 p.m.- 460M

Education Subcommittee C- 2 p.m.- Education Committee Room

Health and Human Resources- 4 p.m. – 215E

The following committees will meet tomorrow:

Finance- 9 a.m.- 460M

Government Organization- 9 a.m.- 215E

Education- 2 p.m.- 439

The House adjourned until 11 a.m. tomorrow.

Senate Recognizes EITC Awareness Day

Senate Floor Session

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February 13, 2009

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Senate members introduced seven bills today, which brings the total number of bills introduced this session to 254. Two bills were introduced on behalf of the Governor today, Senate Bill 248, which provides for an alternative minimum tax expiration, and Senate Bill 249, which provides for school calendar flexibility to meet instructional term requirements.

Members adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 5, which requests that the Joint Committee on Finance and Government study deer and car collision statistics, seeking to continue a 2008 interim study. They also recognized Earned Income Tax Return (EITC) Awareness Day through Senate Resolution 8. The EITC is a federal tax credit that benefits families that make under $40,000 with a tax return of up to $4,000. The EITC is sponsored by the United Way, IRS and the Department of Health and Human Resources, among dozens of other state agencies and groups.

The Doctor of the Day was Gerald A. Dague. He currently practices emergency medicine at Wheeling Hospital And Reynolds Memorial Hospital. The Doctor of the Day works with legislators and staff when they fall ill during the Regular Session.

There will be no committee meetings held today.

The committee meetings for Monday are as follows:

Pensions – 2:00 p.m. – 451M
Finance – 3:00 p.m. – 451M

House Reconvenes to Receive Committee Reports, Introduce More Bills

House Floor Session

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February 13, 2009

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The House reconvened today to receive committee reports and to introduce more bills, including House Bill 2338 which would eliminate the six month waiting period for those in the Teachers Retirement System to receive disability retirement benefits and House Bill 2355 which would remove certain exemptions in the definition of employer and employee covered by the West Virginia minimum wage law.

House Bill 2402, which the Governor proposed in his State of the State address Wednesday night, was also introduced. It would reform the annual school calendar, by requiring county school systems to begin the instructional term five days earlier and will give schools the flexibility to extend the calendar if necessary to meet the 180-day requirement.

The following committees will meet Monday, Feb. 16:

Finance- 1 p.m.- 460M

Education Subcommittee C- 2 p.m.- Education Committee Room

Health and Human Resources- 4 p.m. – 215E

The House will reconvene Monday, Feb. 16 at 11 a.m.

Legislation, Lincoln, and Literacy: Focus of Second Day in Senate

Senate Floor Session

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February 12, 2009

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In the Senate today, members introduced 98 bills, bringing the total of bills introduced in the Senate during the 2009 Regular Session to 247. All but 14 were rule-making bills, which allow state agencies to issue legislative rules.

The Senate introduced four bills by the request of the Governor. These included Senate Bill 244, Senate Bill 245, and Senate Bill 246.

Since it is the 200th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s birth, members honored his life and accomplishments. They also honored his mother, Nancy Hanks Lincoln, who was born in what is now Mineral County, with Senate Resolution 6. They also recognized the West Virginia Civics Literacy Council and Civic Literacy Day with Senate Resolution 7.

Committee meetings scheduled for Thursday, February 12, are as follows:

Education – 2:00 p.m. – 451M
Finance – 3:00 p.m. – 451M

The Transportation & Infrastructure Committee meeting will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday in room 451M.

The Senate will reconvene at 11:00 a.m. tomorrow.

Resolutions Adopted in Honor of Abraham Lincoln’s 200th Birthday

House Floor Session

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February 12, 2009

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The House convened today at 11 a.m. for the second day of the 2009 Regular Session.

In honor of President Lincoln’s Bicentennial birth, the House’s first order of business moved two resolutions.

The adoption of House Resolution 6 recognized the Civic Literature Council which promotes learning, leadership and other duties of citizenship. In addition the resolution recognizes Civic Literature Day as February 12th.

Lincoln’s mother, Nancy Hanks, was a native of Mineral County and House Resolution 7 recognizes her considerable contribution to the State of West Virginia.

Lincoln is quoted as saying, “God bless all that I am, or ever could be, I owe to her.”

The House introduced Legislative rules and assigned them to their appropriate committees.

The following committees will meet today:

Finance- 1 p.m.- 460M

Government Organization- 1 p.m.- 215E

Agriculture and Natural Resources- 3:30 p.m.- 215E

Veteran’s Affairs- 3:30 p.m.- 460M

Banking and Insurance- 4 p.m.- 215E

Pensions and Retirement- 4 p.m.- 460M

Energy, Industry and Labor, Economic Development and Small Business- 4:30 p.m.-460M

Political Subdivisions- 4:30 p.m.- 215E

The Judiciary Committee will meet tomorrow at 9:30 a.m. in 410M.

The House will reconvene tomorrow at 11 a.m.

Governor Delivers State of the State Address

House Floor Session

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February 11, 2009

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The House and Senate reconvened at 7:00 p.m. this evening for a joint session in the House Chamber for the Governor’s presentation of the 2009 State of the State Address.

The Senate reconvened after the Governor’s speech to introduce the Budget Bill.

Both the House and the Senate adjourned until 11:00 a.m. tomorrow.

Senate Reconvenes to Introduce Bills

Senate Floor Session

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February 11, 2009

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Members of the Senate met today to begin business of the 2009 Regular Session. On the first day, members adopted a resolution, House Concurrent Resolution 3, to join with House members to hear the State of the State address in the House Chamber at 7 p.m. Members also introduced 149 bills and referred them to committees for debate. Bills introduced included: Senate Bill 9, which would provide some volunteer fire department members state income tax exemption; Senate Bill 142, to create a Small Tourism Business Development Act; and Senate Bill 144, to increase the Employee Suggestion Award Board’s cash award limit.

The following Senate Committees will meet today:

Finance – 1:30 p.m. – 451M
Judiciary – 1:30 p.m. – 208W
Banking and Insurance – 1:45 p.m. – 208W
Transportation – 1:45 p.m. – 451M
Agriculture – 2:00 p.m. – 208W
Economic Development – 2:00 p.m. – 451M
Education – 2:15 p.m. – 451M
Government Organization – 2:15 p.m. – 208W
Health and Human Resources – 2:30 p.m. – 451M
Energy, Industry & Mining – 2:45 p.m. – 208W
Pensions – 3:00 p.m. – 451M
Interstate Cooperation – 4:00 p.m. – 451M
Military – 4:00 p.m. – 208W
Confirmations – 4:15 p.m. – 451M
Natural Resources – 4:15 p.m. – 208W

The Finance Committee will also meet tomorrow, February 12, at 9:30 a.m. in 451M.

The Senate will reconvene at 6:45 p.m. for the State of the State address.

House Convenes to Begin 79th Regular Session

House Floor Session

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February 11, 2009

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The House reconvened today at Noon to begin the 2009 Regular Session of the 79th Legislature. The first order of business was the adoption of House Concurrent Resolution 3, which extended a formal invitation to the Governor to deliver the State of the State address tonight at 7 p.m.

The House also introduced the first bills of the session such as House Bill 2001 which provides additional state minimum salary for certain teachers, House Bill 2075 which would allow family court judges to carry concealed deadly weapons without obtaining a license and House Bill 2148which would provide a corporate tax credit for qualified health insurance policies provided by corporate employers to employees.

The following committees will meet today:

Finance-1 p.m.- 460M
Finance-2 p.m.- 460M (Block Grant Hearings)
Judiciary-1 p.m.- 410M
Roads and Transportation-2 p.m.- 215E
Senior Citizen Issues-2:30 p.m.- 215E
Constitutional Revisions-3:30 p.m.- 410M
Health and Human Resources-3 p.m.- 215E

The following committees will meet tomorrow:

Finance- 9 a.m.- 460M
Agriculture and Natural Resources-3 p.m.- 215E
Veterans Affairs-3:30 p.m.- 460M
Banking and Insurance- 4 p.m.- 215E

Political Subdivisions- 4:30 p.m.-215E
Energy, Industry and Labor, Economic Development and Small Business- 4:30 p.m.- 460M

The House will reconvene at 6:50 p.m. tonight.

79th Legislature Set to Reconvene

House Floor Session

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February 10, 2009

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The 79th West Virginia Legislature will reconvene Wednesday, February 11 at noon to initiate its Regular 60-day Session. Following orders of business of each chamber, the House of Delegates and the Senate are expected to recess until 7 p.m. at which time a Joint Assembly will be conducted so that lawmakers may hear from the governor during the State of the State address.