June 7, 2007

The Legislature’s monthly interim meetings are always busy, and the June session was no exception. Beyond the regularly scheduled meetings that fill the three-day session, there also were other developments, including a press conference held by Gov. Manchin.

During a presentation at the State Capitol, Gov. Manchin said he has awarded more than $2.8 million in Victims of Crime Act Assistance grants to 63 public and private nonprofit agencies throughout West Virginia.

He said the awards, which come from both state and federal sources, will provide direct services, such as counseling, personal advocacy, court advocacy, client transportation and support services to victims of crimes, including domestic violence, sexual violence, child abuse and elderly abuse. The money will also aid advocates who help guide victims through the criminal justice system.

I’m pleased to report that the Northern Panhandle region benefitted significantly. This area is to receive more than $370,000 in grants for victim services.

* The Brooke County Commission will receive $102,151 for the full-time salaries of a Hancock County advocate, and Ohio County advocate and a Brooke County program coordinator, as well as contractual therapy services in all three counties.

* For Ohio and Marshall counties, Harmony House Inc. will receive $14,392 for the salary of a part-time victim services specialist to provide direct services to child victims and their non-offending family members.

* The Upper Ohio Valley Sexual Assault Help Center Inc., which serves Ohio, Hancock, Brooke, Marshall and Wetzel counties, will receive $85,488 for the full-time salaries of a victim advocate, a child victim specialist and an adult victim specialist.

* Change Inc. will receive $18,600 for the salary of a full-time victim advocate to provide direct services to victims of domestic violence in Brooke and Hancock Counties.

* The Ohio County Commission will receive $20,500 for the salary of a part-time victim assistance coordinator in the Ohio County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.

* The YWCA CASA of Marshall and Ohio counties will receive $10,303 for a portion of the salary of the program director.

 * The Marshall County Commission will receive $19,294 for the salary of a full-time victim services coordinator in the Marshall County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.

* The YWCA Family Violence Prevention Program will receive $93,674 for the salaries of full-time advocates in Ohio, Marshall and Wetzel counties, and for the salary of a part-time Ohio County adult advocate who will provide direct services to victims of domestic violence and their children in Ohio, Marshall and Wetzel counties.

* A Child’s Place CASA, Ltd. will receive $11,666 for the salary of a part-time coordinator to provide services to victims of child abuse and neglect in Brooks and Hancock counties.

 Also this week, I have asked Gov. Manchin to consider placing a revised bill to deal with the serious problem of scrap metal theft on the next special session agenda.

Noting that at least three people were electrocuted last year while trying to steal copper cable from West Virginia utility lines and thousands of dollars worth of scrap metal has been stolen, I stated in a letter to Gov. Manchin that legislation to combat these attempts "is extremely important to the state and the safety of its citizens."

House Bill 2748, which I sponsored, was adopted during the 2007 regular legislative session. It would have amended the West Virginia Code to increase record-keeping requirements for scrap metal dealers purchasing certain types of scrap metal and impose escalating criminal penalties for those who violate those requirements.

However, the governor vetoed the bill, citing the concern that amendments to the bill added measures which could have infringed on the civil liberties of scrap metal dealers. I think we can rework the legislation and alleviate his concerns, and it is my hope we can quickly make it law.

I welcome and appreciate your input on these or any other legislative issues. Write to House Majority Leader Joe DeLong, Building 1, Room 228-M, 1900 Kanawha Blvd. E., Charleston, 25305, or joe@joedelong.com, or call 304-340-3220.