Just So You Know:
Over my ongoing protests, the West Virginia Senators and Delegates in the bi-partisan Eastern Panhandle Legislative Meetings previously decided to revise our previous practice and keep a portion of our weekly Monday meetings closed to the public and confidential.
However, my position is and always has been that our Eastern Panhandle legislator meetings should be ever so transparent and consistently open to public scrutiny and participation.
*Friday, February 1st: the 2013 Session organizational meeting of the Eastern Panhandle Legislative Caucus, Holiday Inn, Martinsburg, West Virginia.
Postscript: "Vox Populi est Vox Dei!"
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Monday, February 25, 2013
2013 Eastern Panhandle News #2
Meeting this morning in the State House, were Eastern Panhandle legislators were Delegates Paul Espinosa, Ruth Rowan, Larry D. Kump, Steven Skinner, Mike Folk, Jason Barrett, Gary Howell, John Overington, Daryl Cowles, and Eric Householder as well as Senators
Don Cookman, Craig Blair, John Unger, and Herb Snyder.
Issues discussed by the caucus, but not limited to, included:
* Education. Concern was expressed by some legislators about mandates from Charleston that restrict county school boards' autonomy. Higher education issues, as well as Board of Education elections (HB 2555), were included in the discussion.
* The possible impact of the recent State Supreme Court overturning of the mandate for the Kanawha County Board of Education to provide a specified amount of funding to their local libraries and how that would affect other county libraries, especially in Berkeley County.
* Problems with the tremendous differential between the cost of housing in the Eastern Panhandle and some other regions of West Virginia, especially in regard to the salaries of state employees and teachers.
* The possibility of another circuit and family judge for the Eastern Panhandle.
* The Common Interest Ownership Act (Homeowners' Associations) legislative proposal, which still is pending introduction but will be forthcoming.
* The possibility of a formal agreement with the Maryland Area Regional Commuter (MARC) train which would give West Virginia a voice in the MARC operating decisions.
* Bar closing hours.
* Local home rule for cities and counties.
Don Cookman, Craig Blair, John Unger, and Herb Snyder.
Issues discussed by the caucus, but not limited to, included:
* Education. Concern was expressed by some legislators about mandates from Charleston that restrict county school boards' autonomy. Higher education issues, as well as Board of Education elections (HB 2555), were included in the discussion.
* The possible impact of the recent State Supreme Court overturning of the mandate for the Kanawha County Board of Education to provide a specified amount of funding to their local libraries and how that would affect other county libraries, especially in Berkeley County.
* Problems with the tremendous differential between the cost of housing in the Eastern Panhandle and some other regions of West Virginia, especially in regard to the salaries of state employees and teachers.
* The possibility of another circuit and family judge for the Eastern Panhandle.
* The Common Interest Ownership Act (Homeowners' Associations) legislative proposal, which still is pending introduction but will be forthcoming.
* The possibility of a formal agreement with the Maryland Area Regional Commuter (MARC) train which would give West Virginia a voice in the MARC operating decisions.
* Bar closing hours.
* Local home rule for cities and counties.
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
2013 Legislative News #4
The following is a list of additional legislative proposals which I have sponsored or cosponsored in the West Virginia House of Delegates:
HJR 28 Taxpayer Bill of Rights (Constitutional Revision Committee) Would amend the West Virginia Constitution to require a two-thirds vote of the Legislature to increase the General Fund of the state budget and for excess taxes collected to be returned to the taxpayers.
HB 2489 Elected Officials Accountability (Judiciary Committee) Would provide that elected public officials or public employees found guilty of misconduct while in office or employed to forfeit their positions.
HB 2555 County School Board Elections (Political Subdivisions Committee) Would change the election of county school boards from Primary to General elections (ensuring more voter participation).
HB 2556 Reduction in Small Town Expenses (Political Subdivisions Committee) Would reduce newspaper printing expenses of financial statements for Class IV municipalities (Such as the Town of Hedgesville).
HB 2557 Whistle-Blowers (Energy, Industry and Labor, Economic Development and Small Business) Would give state employees, who "blow the whistle" on wrong-doing in government, the protection of a grievance procedure and also fine those who harass whistle-blowers.
HB 2560 Self-Defense Rights in Schools (Education) Would allow school administrators, who have proper permits, to carry a concealed weapon on school grounds.
HB 2565 Ballot Access (Judiciary) Would enhance the ability of minor political parties to get on election ballots.
HB 2568 Non-Partisan Election of Judicial Officials (Constitutional Revision) Would provide an "advisory only" voter referendum on whether or not judges and magistrates should be elected on a non-partisan basis.
HB 2872 Firearms while Hunting or Fishing (Judiciary) Would protect the rights of hunters and fishers to carry unloaded firearms.
HB 2575 Prevailing Wages Rates Reform (Energy, Industry and Labor, Economic Development and Small Business) Would require "prevailing wage" rates on public construction to be determined solely by wages within the county.
HB 2576 Eliminate Prevailing Wage Law (Energy, Industry and Labor, Economic Development and Small Business) Would eliminate the current West Virginia "prevailing wage" law.
The above are only a few of the bills that have been and will be introduced in the West Virginia Legislature (See other and future entries for more). All bills first must be heard and voted upon in their assigned legislative committees before receiving further legislative consideration (Committee assignments are listed after each bill number and title above). For information on other bills introduced and which legislators are assigned to which committees, click on the "WV State Legislature" link under "Links" on the right hand side of this webpage.
HJR 28 Taxpayer Bill of Rights (Constitutional Revision Committee) Would amend the West Virginia Constitution to require a two-thirds vote of the Legislature to increase the General Fund of the state budget and for excess taxes collected to be returned to the taxpayers.
HB 2489 Elected Officials Accountability (Judiciary Committee) Would provide that elected public officials or public employees found guilty of misconduct while in office or employed to forfeit their positions.
HB 2555 County School Board Elections (Political Subdivisions Committee) Would change the election of county school boards from Primary to General elections (ensuring more voter participation).
HB 2556 Reduction in Small Town Expenses (Political Subdivisions Committee) Would reduce newspaper printing expenses of financial statements for Class IV municipalities (Such as the Town of Hedgesville).
HB 2557 Whistle-Blowers (Energy, Industry and Labor, Economic Development and Small Business) Would give state employees, who "blow the whistle" on wrong-doing in government, the protection of a grievance procedure and also fine those who harass whistle-blowers.
HB 2560 Self-Defense Rights in Schools (Education) Would allow school administrators, who have proper permits, to carry a concealed weapon on school grounds.
HB 2565 Ballot Access (Judiciary) Would enhance the ability of minor political parties to get on election ballots.
HB 2568 Non-Partisan Election of Judicial Officials (Constitutional Revision) Would provide an "advisory only" voter referendum on whether or not judges and magistrates should be elected on a non-partisan basis.
HB 2872 Firearms while Hunting or Fishing (Judiciary) Would protect the rights of hunters and fishers to carry unloaded firearms.
HB 2575 Prevailing Wages Rates Reform (Energy, Industry and Labor, Economic Development and Small Business) Would require "prevailing wage" rates on public construction to be determined solely by wages within the county.
HB 2576 Eliminate Prevailing Wage Law (Energy, Industry and Labor, Economic Development and Small Business) Would eliminate the current West Virginia "prevailing wage" law.
The above are only a few of the bills that have been and will be introduced in the West Virginia Legislature (See other and future entries for more). All bills first must be heard and voted upon in their assigned legislative committees before receiving further legislative consideration (Committee assignments are listed after each bill number and title above). For information on other bills introduced and which legislators are assigned to which committees, click on the "WV State Legislature" link under "Links" on the right hand side of this webpage.
Monday, February 18, 2013
2013 Eastern Panhandle News #1
State legislators from the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia met this morning at the State House to discuss legislative issues.
Participating were Senators Craig Blair and Herb Snyder, as well as Delegates John Overington, Jason Barrett, Paul Espinosa, Larry D. Kump, Larry Faircloth, Daryl Cowles, Steven Skinner, Mike Folk, Tiffany Lawrence, and Eric Householder.
A general discussion ensued about the range of possible future issues discussion.
These issues included, but were not limited to: bar closing times, home owners associations, education, workers compensation, home rule, Maryland Area Regional Commuter (MARC) train service, regional jails, and local state government salaries.
Delegate Kump announced that he will soon be introducing legislation to defray the public notification expenses of Class IV Municipalities and to make the non-partisan election of local school boards more friendly to voters by moving the elections of local school boards from the Primary to General elections.
Participating were Senators Craig Blair and Herb Snyder, as well as Delegates John Overington, Jason Barrett, Paul Espinosa, Larry D. Kump, Larry Faircloth, Daryl Cowles, Steven Skinner, Mike Folk, Tiffany Lawrence, and Eric Householder.
A general discussion ensued about the range of possible future issues discussion.
These issues included, but were not limited to: bar closing times, home owners associations, education, workers compensation, home rule, Maryland Area Regional Commuter (MARC) train service, regional jails, and local state government salaries.
Delegate Kump announced that he will soon be introducing legislation to defray the public notification expenses of Class IV Municipalities and to make the non-partisan election of local school boards more friendly to voters by moving the elections of local school boards from the Primary to General elections.
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
2013 Legislative News #3
Today was the first day in the West Virginia Legislature for legislative proposals (bills) to be introduced.
Although a multitude of bills will continue to be introduced in the coming days, here are some of the bills that I introduced today as a sponsor or cosponsor (Committee assignments are listed after each bill number and title):
HB 2009 Voter Rights (Judiciary Committee) Provides the same privacy rights for signers of ballot petitions that are enjoyed by voters in elections.
HB 2010 Employee Freedom of Choice (Energy, Industry, Labor, Economic Development & Small Business Committee) Gives employees the right to join or to refrain from joining a union and provides penalties for harassing employees.
HB 2019 None of the Above (Judiciary) Puts "None of the Above" as a choice on the ballots for elections of state officials.
HB 2027 Non-Partisan Elections (Judiciary) Creates non-partisan elections for state officials, judges, and magistrates.
HB 2218 National Defense Authorization Act Protection (Government Organization Committee) Protects West Virginia citizens and agencies from actions by the United States Armed Forces which violate the United States or West Virginia constitutions.
HB 2374 Child Abuse (Judiciary) Eliminates parole eligibility for child abusers. (Note: This does not eliminate the right to appeal these sentences in court, which is a separate procedure from parole)
HB 2405 Election Reform (Judiciary) Provides for single member delegate districts in all West Virginia House of Delegate districts.
The above are only a few of the bills that have been and will be introduced. All bills must first be heard and voted upon in their assigned committee before receiving further legislative consideration. For information on other bills introduced and which legislators are assigned to which committees, click on the "WV State Legislature" link under "Links" on the right hand side of this webpage.
Although a multitude of bills will continue to be introduced in the coming days, here are some of the bills that I introduced today as a sponsor or cosponsor (Committee assignments are listed after each bill number and title):
HB 2009 Voter Rights (Judiciary Committee) Provides the same privacy rights for signers of ballot petitions that are enjoyed by voters in elections.
HB 2010 Employee Freedom of Choice (Energy, Industry, Labor, Economic Development & Small Business Committee) Gives employees the right to join or to refrain from joining a union and provides penalties for harassing employees.
HB 2019 None of the Above (Judiciary) Puts "None of the Above" as a choice on the ballots for elections of state officials.
HB 2027 Non-Partisan Elections (Judiciary) Creates non-partisan elections for state officials, judges, and magistrates.
HB 2218 National Defense Authorization Act Protection (Government Organization Committee) Protects West Virginia citizens and agencies from actions by the United States Armed Forces which violate the United States or West Virginia constitutions.
HB 2374 Child Abuse (Judiciary) Eliminates parole eligibility for child abusers. (Note: This does not eliminate the right to appeal these sentences in court, which is a separate procedure from parole)
HB 2405 Election Reform (Judiciary) Provides for single member delegate districts in all West Virginia House of Delegate districts.
The above are only a few of the bills that have been and will be introduced. All bills must first be heard and voted upon in their assigned committee before receiving further legislative consideration. For information on other bills introduced and which legislators are assigned to which committees, click on the "WV State Legislature" link under "Links" on the right hand side of this webpage.
Monday, February 4, 2013
2013 Legislative News #2
Delegate Larry D. Kump, District #59 (Berkeley-Morgan Counties), makes it a point to consider the principles of economic freedom, individual liberty, and personal accountability as the basis of all his legislative proposals and votes.
He went on to further outline how these principles apply to education reform, substance abuse, the criminal justice system, and taxing the elderly.
Pointing out that elected county boards of education are the only school officials who are directly accountable to the voters, the Falling Waters Delegate proposes that West Virginia's highly centralized, overstaffed, and underperforming education system be revamped. He wants to give much more initiative and authority to local county school boards and to give teachers much more flexibility and say in the classroom. According to Kump, the proposal by some wags to create regional school authorities to determine salaries and other issues only would amount to another "Rube Goldberg" layer of ineffective bureaucracy. He also believes that voters will be much more involved with local school boards if their non-partisan election is moved from Primary to General elections, when more voters participate.
In regard to the growing Mountaineer substance abuse epidemic, Kump says that, in addition to substance abuse and drug addiction treatment programs as alternatives to prison sentences, state lawmakers also need to look at decriminalizing some offenses.
He said, "Why should taxpayers, and also state and local governments, be squeezed and squeezed and squeezed to provide lock-up welfare for prison inmates when there are much better ways to deal with these problems?".
Kump also is proposing legislation that would allow individuals, who have turned their lives around after a past drug related conviction, to have their criminal records expunged if they remain drug free for a period of time.
On the issue of taxation, Delegate Kump notes that thirty-six other states exempt social security benefits and all pensions from state taxes, and the time is long overdue for West Virginia to go and do likewise.
He went on to further outline how these principles apply to education reform, substance abuse, the criminal justice system, and taxing the elderly.
Pointing out that elected county boards of education are the only school officials who are directly accountable to the voters, the Falling Waters Delegate proposes that West Virginia's highly centralized, overstaffed, and underperforming education system be revamped. He wants to give much more initiative and authority to local county school boards and to give teachers much more flexibility and say in the classroom. According to Kump, the proposal by some wags to create regional school authorities to determine salaries and other issues only would amount to another "Rube Goldberg" layer of ineffective bureaucracy. He also believes that voters will be much more involved with local school boards if their non-partisan election is moved from Primary to General elections, when more voters participate.
In regard to the growing Mountaineer substance abuse epidemic, Kump says that, in addition to substance abuse and drug addiction treatment programs as alternatives to prison sentences, state lawmakers also need to look at decriminalizing some offenses.
He said, "Why should taxpayers, and also state and local governments, be squeezed and squeezed and squeezed to provide lock-up welfare for prison inmates when there are much better ways to deal with these problems?".
Kump also is proposing legislation that would allow individuals, who have turned their lives around after a past drug related conviction, to have their criminal records expunged if they remain drug free for a period of time.
On the issue of taxation, Delegate Kump notes that thirty-six other states exempt social security benefits and all pensions from state taxes, and the time is long overdue for West Virginia to go and do likewise.
The Firearms Feeding Frenzy
The calumny and reflexive media hysteria since the monstrous mass murders in Connecticut and elsewhere continues with little pause for us to ponder.
Let's not allow the reactions of some panicked and pandering politicians to create even more of a frenetic feeding frenzy out of our heartfelt national sorrow and distress.
Let's absolutely not allow this and other terrible tragedies to be twisted to inadvertently further enable the despicable acts of the mentally ill and morally challenged, creating even more killing fields.
Let's certainly not forget that the previous (and now expired) federal assault weapons ban had no discernable impact to reduce violent crimes.
Let's also not forget that Connecticut already had and has some of the strictest firearms regulations in our nation.
Let's be cautious and consider the emotional bias and even the fallacious fear of firearms by some, which has led to woefully worrisome siege mentality proposals, to further barricade our schools and other public places.
Let's not allow the reactions of some panicked and pandering politicians to create even more of a frenetic feeding frenzy out of our heartfelt national sorrow and distress.
Let's absolutely not allow this and other terrible tragedies to be twisted to inadvertently further enable the despicable acts of the mentally ill and morally challenged, creating even more killing fields.
Let's certainly not forget that the previous (and now expired) federal assault weapons ban had no discernable impact to reduce violent crimes.
Let's also not forget that Connecticut already had and has some of the strictest firearms regulations in our nation.
Let's be cautious and consider the emotional bias and even the fallacious fear of firearms by some, which has led to woefully worrisome siege mentality proposals, to further barricade our schools and other public places.
Let's not fall victim to creating a false sense of security with ill-considered proposals.
Let's not continue to attempt to disarm responsible citizens.
Let's not make us and our children even more defenseless prey to the depravity of more of the same evildoers.
Good grief!
A wise wag previously pointed out that violent crime is not caused by firearms, just as obesity is not caused by spoons.
After all, wasn't it Samuel Colt's invention that first was credited as being "the great equalizer"?
I don't own a personal firearm, but my next door and near neighbors do own them, and I know that the personal safety of all of us is enhanced when responsible citizens have the means of self defense.
A brave teacher was killed, while trying to shield the children.
For want of a defensive firearm, many died, and our nation weeps.
Saturday, February 2, 2013
2013 Legislative News #1
By MATTHEW UMSTEAD
February 1 2013, 9:17 PM EST
MARTINSBURG, W.Va. -- The complete article can be viewed at:
http://www.herald-mail.com/news/tristate/hm-many-issues-discussed-at-2013-legislative-outlook-luncheon-in-martinsburg-20130201,0,5802882.story
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