The Internet has had a large impact on the everyday lives of Americans. Possibly, one of its most significant social implications has been its ability to bring government closer to the people. Indeed, with the advent of broadband technology, the public’s connection to government has become virtually instantaneous.

Over the last two years, broadband usage in West Virginia households has nearly doubled. Twenty percent of the 736,000 households in West Virginia subscribe to a broadband Internet service offered by a telephone or cable television company. Users are always connected and broadband allows multiple computers to share the service by networking them together either with a cable or wirelessly.

But, a broadband connection is not required to use the Internet. A dial-up connection is quite adequate for citizens to find information about their government. Dial-up users connect to the Internet by plugging their standard phone lines into their computers. The computer then makes a call to another computer which gives it access to the World Wide Web.

The goal of the West Virginia Legislature’s Web site is to put representative government at the fingertips of the people. Almost any legislative document, from bills to district maps, can be viewed or printed directly from the site. Access to information is instant and convenient, which reduces print and distribution costs, and in turn, saves taxpayers’ money.

The site received a facelift between last session and the present. A more visually appealing interface, as well as a more streamlined navigation system, are two of the many features updated to better suit the public’s needs. Lawmakers, lobbyists and the general public have all contributed to the advancement of the site. Their insight and suggestions have been incorporated into the site’s ever evolving interface.

Through conversations with constituents and lobbyists, the Legislature developed a Personalized Bill Tracking system on the Web site. This feature may be one of the most popular services offered. Although it was introduced in last year’s Regular Session, Personalized Bill Tracking has been modified and enhanced for the current session. It allows individuals to gather information from the site more efficiently. While it is possible to find which bills were introduced on a given day or which bills are sponsored by a certain lawmaker through the site’s Bill Status link, Personalized Bill Tracking is the only feature that allows someone to view the status of multiple bills of specific interest all on one page. The service has become so popular that more than 1,500 users have registered as of March 1st. It has been growing by about 100 new users a day.

To use the service, one would just have to create a username and password, give a valid e-mail address and his or her first and last names. Once logged in, it is very simple to create a list or add bills to an existing list by clicking on the link at the top left.

Previously, only 10 bills could be grouped together in a list. Now, an unlimited number of bills can be tracked together and the user has the ability to name each list rather than having it automatically named for them. If the user wants to add to an existing list, then he or she would simply type in the name of the list and add a bill the same way.

Aside from Personalized Bill Tracking, the Legislature’s Web site also provides additional constituent services, such as legislative contact information and e-mail addresses. A list of all senators and delegates with their Capitol addresses and phone numbers are displayed on one page. And, a citizen can even search for the representatives by using his or her zip code. This will list each of their lawmakers from both the House and Senate with e-mail addresses, as well as their hometown business phone number, in case the Legislature is not in session.

As the Legislature continues to make strides in providing important information electronically to citizens and engaging them to become part of the legislative process, developers of the Web site welcome comments and suggestions on how to further this source of communication. This is just one more way that the Legislature is working to bridge the gap between the Capitol and constituents.

In recognition of the extreme sacrifices made by the men and women of the United States Military, members of the Legislature deemed Monday, Feb. 22 Veterans’ Visibility Day to honor the state’s sons and daughters who dedicated themselves in service to this country…and ultimately to each West Virginian.

While many young people associate our country’s defense with the September 11, 2001, terrorist attack on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, few remember the sacrifices made by the generations who paved the road to freedom. Because of their valor, courage and sense of loyalty to the United States, America has become a great nation.

As such, both the House and Senate introduced and adopted resolutions commemorating West Virginia veterans of all wars and conflicts in special floor ceremonies. In attendance were individuals representing the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Order of the Purple Heart, Vietnam Veterans of America, Korean War Veterans Association, the West Virginia Veterans Coalition, the Barboursville Veterans’ home and the West Virginia Marine Corps, to mention a few of the groups participating. Of the 25 million veterans currently alive, nearly three of four veterans have served during a war or an official period of hostility, which is about an eighth of the nation’s population.

Aware of the sacrifices made by service personnel, lawmakers acted on measures designed to support, acknowledge and address some specific issues facing these men and women.

As a result of overwhelming support from citizens in approving an amendment to the State Constitution entitled the Veterans Bonus Amendment of 2004, lawmakers passed a measure which will allow a funding stream to provide cash bonuses to veterans of the Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq conflicts in line with prior support for West Virginia soldiers of all wars and conflicts.

House Bill 2285 will provide a bonus of $400 or $600, depending on whether a veteran fought inside or outside a combat zone.

Another bill passed this week relates to the time-honored tradition of playing Taps. In 1874, the playing of Taps was officially recognized by the United States Army and soon thereafter became a somberly routine occurrence at military funerals. For many throughout the years, the notes played by lone buglers stirred profound memories and evoked strong, long standing emotions. And today, Taps lingers as one of the most easily-recognizable and historically-significant melodies in American history.

“There is something singularly beautiful and appropriate in the music of this wonderful call. Its strains are melancholy, yet full of rest and peace. Its echoes linger in the heart long after its tones have ceased to vibrate in the air.”
– Master Sergeant Jari A Villanueva, Military Bugler and Brass Historian, speaking in reference to the playing of Taps.

Sadly though, qualified musicians for military funerals have become increasingly scarce in recent years. Recognizing and embracing the long and rich tradition of Taps, state lawmakers passed a bill intended to fill this regrettable void. House Bill 2286 encourages and rewards West Virginia students to play Taps at military funerals.

The State Board of Education will work with county school boards and state colleges and universities to implement programs in schools designed to train students in this most distinguished service. Students could receive community service hours and excuses from school for any time spent at a funeral during school hours.

Lawmakers also are working to honor other servicemen and women in a bill that was introduced in the Senate last week. The service of many of West Virginia’s military personnel involves the National Guard, the oldest component of the Armed Forces of the United States and one of the nation’s longest-enduring institutions.

Currently, there are roughly 6,100 West Virginians serving in the National Guard. More than 850 guardsmen are presently mobilized for active military operations, according to the Department of Military Affairs and Public Safety (MAPS).

The National Guard provides states with immediate resources and trained responses to disasters and equips the United States military with soldiers ready to protect the ideals of freedom and democracy. Understanding the importance the National Guard has on all aspects of West Virginians’ lives, members of the Legislature introduced Senate Bill 252.

The measure, if passed by both bodies would provide reimbursement for those Guardsmen who pay premiums to the federal Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance program, a group life insurance policy available for active duty servicemembers, ready reservists, cadets and midshipmen of the four service academies and members of the Reserve Officer Training Corps in an amount of up to $250,000.

The bill would pay back the $20 monthly premiums paid by those enrolled in the program as a way to recognize and support the efforts of our servicemen and women. The bill makes specific reference to the extended periods of active duty our National Guard members are facing, sometimes adding unintended financial burdens to their families. An appropriation of $1.2 million is estimated to fully fund this program.

Recognizing the commitment of West Virginia veterans and members of the military has always been a top priority of the Legislature. Lawmakers continually work to pass legislation to lighten the burdens West Virginia soldiers are bearing daily in order to restore freedom throughout the world and to ensure West Virginia remains a safe, yet wild and wonderful place to call home.

According to a study conducted by the Research Triangle Institute and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), medical expenditures linked to obesity reached $75 billion in 2003. Researchers estimate that approximately half of these costs are subsidized by taxpayers through Medicare and Medicaid. Recognizing this as an issue of both fiscal and physical significance for all West Virginians, state lawmakers have decided to get moving.

The intertwining concrete walkways surrounding the State Capitol Complex and the marble halls within the building are routinely alive with activity. Throughout the course of an average day, many state employees and local citizens take time to leisurely walk around the Capitol or jog through the courtyard. For some, using a few minutes of their lunchtime to lace up their tennis shoes and get their heart rates pumping has become a daily ritual – and state lawmakers are following in stride.

Embracing this commitment, lawmakers are working to promote increased physical activity and heighten public awareness on the problem of obesity. Members of both the West Virginia House of Delegates and State Senate have pledged to take part in the “West Virginia on the Move” program – an initiative dedicated to helping individuals and communities across our state make positive changes to improve West Virginians’ health and quality of life.

Why is promoting activities such as walking important in the Mountain State? In addition to its financial implications, legislators also recognize the negative effect obesity has on West Virginians’ health. According to the CDC and Prevention’s Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance System, West Virginia is ranked first in the nation with 27.6 percent of its population being obese. Furthermore, it has been reported that 28.4 percent of West Virginians report no leisure-time physical activity.

Studies have shown a direct correlation between several morbid diseases and obesity. Those who are obese are more at risk to develop heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, gallbladder disease, osteoarthritis, sleep apnea and other breathing problems, as well as some cancers, such as uterine, breast, colorectal, kidney, and gallbladder.

The combination of poor eating habits and physical inactivity have played major roles in the levels of obesity in the state. And according to the “West Virginia on the Move” program, to be successful in creating sustainable individual behavior change there must be a focus on larger environment and community support of healthy eating and active living. By reaching individuals where they live, work, learn, and play, communities can make a difference.

To further promote the program and an active, healthy lifestyle, members and staff of the House and Senate, along with the Governor’s Office, will be competing for the first annual “Leaders on the Move” award. The entity that “walks the walk” and takes the most steps over the course of the 60-day Legislative Session, which will be measured by individual pedometers, will be declared the winner and the award will be displayed in either the Speaker’s Office, the President’s Office or the Governor’s Office.

If you would like to get involved and begin making a change in your communities, “America on the Move” recommends taking an additional 2,000 steps each day – something that can be achieved by walking up the stairs instead of taking the elevator, parking further away from work or simply walking to your neighbor’s house rather than calling them on the phone.

Addressing the issue of obesity and the serious medical complications that accompany this epidemic has become a priority of the West Virginia Legislature. Although a sweeping answer cannot be established overnight, promoting programs that encourage individuals to take notice of the problems regarding obesity is a major step in the right direction toward tackling this statewide concern.