Page 395 – Wrap Up

House Convenes to Begin 79th Regular Session

House Floor Session

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February 11, 2009

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.

Final Interim Meetings Wrap Up At State Capitol

Interim Report

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February 10, 2009

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Members of the Joint Committee on Government and Finance heard reports from a variety of state agencies and federal spokesmen.

Consisting of the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House, as well as legislative committee leadership, the Joint Committee closed the 2008 interim committee meetings.

Interim Meetings Lead Into 2009 Regular Session

Interim Report

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February 8, 2009

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Members of the West Virginia Legislature met today for the final round of interim meetings of the 2008-2009 interim session, during which members study issues which often are addressed during the legislative session. Meetings continue Monday and Tuesday before the 2009 Regular Session reconvenes on Wednesday, February 11th at 12:00 p.m.

Snow Blankets the Capitol

Around the Capitol

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January 30, 2009

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Looking West from the intersection of Kanawha Boulevard and California Avenue the Capitol Dome glistens with midday sun following a break in snow showers. The Statue of Stonewall Jackson sits in the foreground on the Capitol grounds. Snow has blanketed the state recently including here in Charleston as the Legislature readies for the upcoming 2009 Regular Session of the 79th Legislature.

Legislature’s 2009 Information Packet

Around the Capitol

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January 22, 2009

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The West Virginia Legislature’s Information Packet has been updated for the 79th Legislature and is now available online. This packet is a comprehensive reference tool for any citizen or Capitol visitor interested in state government and contains maps of the Capitol which include room numbers for all legislators; seating charts for the Senate and House Chambers; Senate, House and Congressional district maps; members photographs, contact information and committee assignments for all members of the Legislature; and, phone numbers and addresses for Congressional representatives. Also included are helpful toll-free telephone numbers and website addresses for state agencies, colleges and universities.

This publication is one of many the Legislature’s Office of Reference and Information produces for the goal of furthering civic education and fostering collaboration between elected officials and the citizenry. As Thomas Jefferson is quoted as saying, “the best defense of Democracy is an informed electorate”.

Chronology of Women in the West Virginia Legislature

Around the Capitol

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January 22, 2009

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The Chronology of Women in the West Virginia Legislature has been updated with members of the 79th Legislature and is available online. The publication lists all women who have served in the Legislature since 1922 when the first female, Anna Gates (D) Kanawha County, was elected to the House of Delegates.

There are now 20 women serving in the House of Delegates and two women serving in the Senate.

Joint Assembly Receives General Election Results

House Floor Session

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January 14, 2009

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The Senate arrived in the House Chamber for a joint assembly to receive, open and publish the statewide general election results from the Nov. 4, 2008 election. The House Clerk submitted the election returns to the members and they will be issued a certificate of election. Session will reconvene Feb. 11 at Noon.

79th Legislature Convenes

Senate Floor Session

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January 14, 2009

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The 1st Regular Session of the 79th Legislature convened today for opening day to swear in the newly elected members of the Senate and House of Delegates. Members of the Senate were sworn in by the Honorable West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals Justice Robin Jean Davis. Members of the House were sworn in by the Honorable Circuit Judge Robert Chafin from Wayne County.

The House and Senate re-elected House Speaker Richard Thompson and Senate President Earl Ray Tomblin, respectively. House and Senate officers were also re-elected.

House members took a moment of silence to remember the late Delegate Proudfoot and his dedicated service to the state of West Virginia.

The House also adopted House Resolution 1 , which make changes to various standing committees.

Both the West Virginia House of Delegates and Senate have adjourned until Wednesday, February 11th, 2009 at 12:00 p.m.

House Finance has announced a meeting for February 11th at 9:30 a.m. in the House Chamber.

Legislative Interns begin work for 2009 Regular Session

Interns

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January 12, 2009

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The Legislative Internship program started this week with interns representing a variety of state universities and colleges taking part in orientation and learning what committees or lawmakers they would be working with throughout the session.

The West Virginia Legislature each year offers a number of internship opportunities for college students from in-state institutions wishing to further their knowledge and understanding of the political process on a state level.

The McManus Fellowship, Rollins-Burk Interns, Herndon Fellowship, Fraisure-Singleton Internship and the Legislative Information Journalism Internship offer varying degrees of involvement and students wishing to apply must meet requirements specific to the program they wish to enter.

While positions are filled for the 2009 Legislative Session, interested students are urged to look over the information on the Legislative Internship webpage and consider applying in the future.