June 1, 2007

The Legislature is gathering in Charleston for its three-day interim meetings, and the agenda is packed full of what promise to be interesting discussions.

I’d like to highlight some of the committee agendas, but first, I should note that I will be joining members of delegations from Monongalia and Marion counties to meet with Gov. Manchin to discuss a proposed power line installation.

The power line in question, proposed by Allegheny Energy, would cross Monongalia, Preston, Tucker, Grant, Hardy and Hampshire counties. Legislators from the affected areas, and myself, have some serious concerns as to whether this power line project is in the best interest of the citizens in these counties – or the citizens of this State as a whole.

We question the fact that it appears West Virginia will not directly benefit from the expanded power lines, and it could cause serious problems, in particular regarding right-of-ways and the use of eminent domain. Yet the proposed power line route bypasses Maryland, a state that stands to benefit from the power line expansion. We plan to share these concerns with Gov. Manchin.

Here is a rundown on some of the scheduled interim meetings:

* Select Committee A, which oversees issues related to children and juveniles, will hear a report from Laura Sperry, Bureau for Children and Families, regarding use of the Registry and Child Protection Unit. There also will be a presentation from county prosecutors regarding participation in multidisciplinary teams.

* The Joint Standing Committee on Pensions and Retirement will get an update on the litigation involving the merger of the two teachers’ retirement plans from Therasa Miller, deputy director

West Virginia Consolidated Public Retirement Board. They also will talk about the indebted municipal pensions.

* Judiciary Subcommittee B is looking at the effect of certain court opinions on the farm winery industry. There will be speakers from the West Virginia Alcohol Beverage Control Administration, the state Department of Agriculture, Jones Cabin Run Vineyards, North Central Distributing, and the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection and Anti-trust Division. At the same time, Judiciary Subcommittee C will be discussing the state’s closing hours for bars and the laws in other states.

* The Oversight Commission on Water Resources will be examining proposed legislation to authorize the Public Service Commission to order acquisition of failed water or sewer utilities. They will hear from the West Virginia Rural Water Association, the Morgantown Utility Board, and the Central Barbour Public Service District.

* Select Committee B, which oversees issues regarding our state’s veterans, will learn about a program the West Virginia Council of Churches operates for returning soldiers.

* There are a number of Education subcommittees meeting, covering topics ranging from public and higher education finance to school safety and principal training.

* During a meeting of the Select Committee on Infrastructure, Steve Yeager of the West Virginia Forest Association will talk about tractor-semitrailer combinations on interstates and highways, and State Highway Engineer Marvin Murphy will provide an overview of traffic controls and signs on interstate ramps to deter wrong-way driving.

* Spurred by the fire that destroyed Morgan County’s courthouse, Finance Subcommittee A has been asked to look at insurance coverage for the state’s county courthouses. They will host a discussion with Chuck Jones, Executive Director of the Board of Risk & Insurance Management, Morgan County insurance agent Stewart Borger, and Morgan County Commissioner Glen R. Stotler.

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.