|
Updated: 10:59 PM Feb 23, 2010
Possible Legislative Special Session Raises Concerns
Some lawmakers say the regular session has been extremely slow, but already there's talk of bringing legislators back to finish the job.
Posted: 10:39 PM Feb 23, 2010Reporter: Kallie Cart Email Address: kallie.cart@wsaz.com |
|
12 Comments 
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- Some lawmakers say the regular session has been extremely slow, but already there's talk of bringing legislators back to finish the job.
On day 42 of the 60-day session, only three bills have passed both the House and the Senate.
"This has been a really lame, boring, slow session," Delegate Troy Andes, R-Putnam County, says.
But some Democrats say there are certain issues that are too important to rush through.
The major issue is the state's unfunded liability for retiree health benefits. The unfunded liability has now grown to nearly $8 billion.
It has been a critical problem which has plagued the state for years, and lawmakers are now trying to come up with a solution to contain the liability and save the state millions of dollars a year.
Sen. Brooks McCabe, D-Kanawha County, says they've been working on the issue since last year and they need more time. So, McCabe says a special session is needed to address the issue.
"There was a lot of moving parts and the stakes are pretty high, and we need data to support some of the things we're looking at," he says. "With two to three weeks left, time is running out to really do a good job of it."
McCabe adds, "We want to make sure when we bring a bill forward we have a broad base of support and we can get something like that passed."
But some Republicans say there is no need for a special session.
"Those issues really deserve a whole session, not a special session to be down here and be in a hurry to get home," Delegate Ron Walters, R-Kanawha County, says.
Lawmakers are paid $150 per day of each special session plus expenses.
"These are very important issues, but they've been around for a long time, and House leadership needs to get with Senate leadership and the governor and hammer out a compromise this session," Andes says. "There's no reason that we need to come back to Charleston and waste taxpayer dollars."
Gov. Joe Manchin has said if lawmakers come back they'll deal with several issues.
Latest Comments
WOW! IF I OWNED A CIRCUS, AND NEEDED CLOWNS, I WOULD GO TO CHARLESTON BETWEEN JAN. AND MARCH. THIS IS A STATE THAT IS BROKE, AND THEY (THE CLOWNS) FIND A WAY TO GIVE THEMSELVES A RAISE BY CALLING A SPECIAL SESSION. WELL LET'S GIVE THEM ONE IN MAY, AND VOTE THEM OUT. LITTLE VACATION FOR MOM AND KID CLOWNS.
I'm enthused! Ten of us with similar opinions just in this one small forum, in this short period of time. It is time to clean house, and I feel like the taxpayers are ready. We deserve more for our money.
WOW! If there is a special session, they should not be paid any more money. They go to Charleston, and most of their time is spent "visiting" local establishments. Tooooooo much money wasted...VOTE ALL OF THEM OUT!
|
|
|
Popular Searches Powered by Local.com |
- UPDATE: Two More Arrests in Parking Lot Armed Robbery
- Convicted Sex Offender Wanted
- Three Aging W.Va. Power Plants Closing
- UPDATE: Man Dies in Early Morning Fire in McArthur, Ohio
- IRS Warns to Expect Some Refund Delays
- UPDATE: Man Charged in Violent Armed Robbery at Huntington Bar
- NASCAR Racer Visits Charleston
- St. Albans Man Arrested in Large Drug Bust
- UPDATE: Mother Awaiting Sentence Faces More Trouble
- Metheny Still Missing
- UPDATE: Vigil for Missing 3-Year-Old Girl
430 Comments - UPDATE: New Chief Deputy in Mason County Releases Department Mission Statement
148 Comments - UPDATE: Woman Fires Attorney in Sniper Digging Case Lawsuit
127 Comments - UPDATE: Mother Awaiting Sentence Faces More Trouble
61 Comments - UPDATE: Some Questions Remain Unanswered in Deadly CO Leak
48 Comments - NEW INFO: South Point Man Sentenced in Marijuana Conspiracy
40 Comments
- 126 reported killed as attacks escalate
- Doctor in Homs: We're all waiting to die
- Hacked e-mails reveal al-Assad spin
- Stay out U.S.
- Deep freeze overloads Ukraine EMS
- Ousted Maldives president faces arrest
- Same-sex marriage OK'd in Washington
- 911 response probed in Powell killings
- Opinion: Google knows too much
- Brother: Clementi more than his suicide
- Embattled LA school set to reopen
- Same-sex marriage OK'd in Washington
- Mississippi pardons to be challenged at court hearing
- Authorites probe 911 response to Josh Powell's home
- Official: Suspect in 'South Park' threats to plead guilty
- Rutgers student's suicide shouldn't define him, brother says
- School will continue using Fighting Sioux nickname
- University of Florida suspends fraternity for 'physical hazing incident'
- Victim in Atlanta video beating to speak out
- The deadly path to legal status
- Deep freeze puts strain on Ukrainian EMS
- More than 700 suffer food poisoning after Mexico rally
- Spy agency called before Pakistani high court
- Deposed president faces arrest in the Maldives
- Greek leaders ready to back austerity deal
- Officials: Drone strike kills 4 in Pakistan
- Asylum or 'medical leave' for Chinese crime buster?
- UK: 'No negotiations' on Falklands
- Betting on Olympians -- for charity
- Drillers reach hidden Antarctic lake
- Band camp, other clubs suspended
- Champion remembered at event
- More members accused of hazing
- Sandusky urged to stay inside
- Words matter in Penn State case
- Out-of-county jury for Sandusky?
- 4th accuser drops abuse allegations
- Accuser pleads guilty to child sex
- Attorney: Victims to sue university
- Miss. high court considers pardons
- Rivers' three adds another chapter to Duke-UNC rivalry
- Game Recap
- All eyes on Tiger at Pebble Beach
- Syracuse earns OT win vs. Hoyas
- Memphis joining Big East in 2013
- Lin dazzles again as Knicks win
- Kansas flattens Baylor with 32-4 run
- Slive says discussion of BCS changes 'premature'
- Magic KO Heat with barrage of 3's
- Big Ten exploring a four-team playoff
 |
SOMC
Very good things are happening here. Click here to learn more |
 |
Click here for school closings and delays |
 |
Watch the Lottery Live Monday - Saturday @ 6:59pm on WSAZ NewsChannel 3. Need to check your numbers? Click here. |
 |
Watch the Ohio Lottery Drawings weeknights @ 7:29pm and Cash Explosion Saturday @ 7:30pm on WSAZ NewsChannel 3. |
 |
Click here to donate and help WSAZ help children at risk in our region. Thank you. |
 |
Click here to see how our partners are making Moms and women's lives easier. |
