State Sens. Ed Bowman, D-Weirton, and Jeff Kessler, D-Glen Dale, discussed several high and low points of the recent session of the West Virginia Legislature during the Downtown Business and Civic Association luncheon Tuesday.
Both senators agreed that it was the strangest session they have seen thus far. Bowman stated there weren't as many people asking for money as in years past and stated much of that had to do with the current and past state of the economy. He said the Legislature's main topic is usually always funding and budgetary items.
Bowman stated that West Virginia was one of five states that ended this past fiscal year in a surplus, but after reviewing the initial budget, it was brought to their attention that there was about $200 million less in revenue in the state than expected.
"We are going to return to session May 26 to finish the budget so we can have a better look to find more revenue," said Bowman.
Bowman said one piece of legislation that could help with that is the Free Play Bill. He stated that surrounding states have begun to model after West Virginia when it comes to the casinos and table gaming industry, giving them an unfair advantage. He said coupons had been distributed previously but were also taxed.
"These other states such as Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Maryland aren't taxing the coupons and drawing business that we used to have," he said adding that the lift on this tax would save West Virginia $2.5 million to $3 million.
Bowman also discussed the proposed bill addressing the issue of allowing municipalities in certain counties to establish an ordinance, if they wanted to do so, in order to close the bars at 2 a.m. to deter surrounding state residents from coming to West Virginia bars until 3 a.m.
"I introduced this bill a year ago," he said. "And at that time it had no exemptions. Later, a Republican from another county introduced language to keep racetracks from being included."
Bowman added that he reintroduced the bill not remembering that the language exempting racetracks had been included. The bill passed the Senate quickly but died in the House, he said.
Bowman said he wants to wake up the citizens of West Virginia so they can let their state representatives know what they want and what they are thinking. He stated that it is the lawmakers' fault that accounts are going broke and programs are losing funding. He said that the cost of everything continues to rise but no changes are being made in the laws to accommodate the changes occurring.
"Enough is enough," he said. "Things have got to change if we want to move forward and build a stronger economy."
Kessler agreed with Bowman, but stated he felt the session was "unsatisfactory." He said they didn't get enough done in the time they had. He said it is a personal goal of his to make West Virginia No. 1.
"There is no reason why that can't happen," he said.
Kessler explained that last November, it was reported that West Virginia had the fastest growing economy in the country for the first time. He said the global and national economy is driving everything right now and no significant policies were put into action during the session.
Kessler said one major item he was looking to get passed was legislation addressing education and students being in class for 180 days. He stated that in many other countries, students go to school year round or at least more than 230 days out of the year.
"In order for our kids to be able to compete on a national and global level, we have got to get our kids in a classroom for at least, at the very least, 180 days," he said. "We need to protect our children's future."
He went on to add that because of the revenue from the Limited Video Lottery machines, the Promise Scholarship will be capped and funded for the next three years at $4,700 per student.
He assured those in attendance that this amount would be enough to cover the full cost of tuition for students in the state.
Kessler also discussed the changes in the unemployment laws. He said employers used to have to pay a percentage on the first $8,000 an employee made and now will pay on the first $10,000. He said several other states weren't protecting their accounts and had gone broke and were borrowing from the federal government to pay unemployment benefits.
"We are taking a very proactive approach to this situation," he said. "We want to have a $220 million cushion, so we are borrowing and paying interest and fees on federal dollars."
One suggestion Kessler mentioned as well was lifting the freeze on the gas tax. He stated that the gas tax was put in place when it had risen to nearly $4 a gallon and now that it's close to or just above $2 a gallon, the freeze should be lifted.
"One thing I noticed on my way to Weirton is the condition of the roads," said Kessler. "Our street paving fund for the state is at the breaking point, so as of right now, very little paving will be done this year on state roads."
He said West Virginia has been good at creating jobs in the past but not wealth. He stated that he would like to see the state establish a permanent, sustainable economy and lead the nation in growth.
(Dickson can be contacted at adickson@weirtondailytimes.com)
