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WVEC Green Legislative UpdateTo read the update online, scroll down to articles (or click on index links below). If you want to view or print an exact copy of the printed newsletter, try the PDF version. Januarty 12, 2007
Under the Dome By Donald S. Garvin, Jr. Week 1 – It’s a New Day “The old order changeth, yielding place to new.” — Alfred, Lord Tennyson, Morte D’Arthur November’s elections swept a call for change across the nation, and across West Virginia as well. Here in the Mountain State, voters soundly repudiated an attempt by coal baron Don Blankenship to buy himself a legislature. Blankenship ended up spending a whole lot of money for nothing. On January 10th the 78th Session of the West Virginia Legislature convened. There are many new faces among the Delegates and Senators. The “new order” will be most evident in the House of Delegates, where in December the Democrats in the majority party selected Delegate Richard Thompson (D – Wayne County) to replace retiring Speaker of the House, Bob Kiss (D – Raleigh County). So it’s “out with the old, and in with the new,” particularly in the House. Thompson’s selection as Speaker delivered a severe blow to the good ol’ boy power structure that ruled during the Kiss regime. Thompson promises to be a “more inclusive” Speaker, and more open to input from Delegates who have sat on the backbenches for years. So how will these new changes affect the environment? Well, there is reason for hope. For example, Speaker Thompson has chosen Delegate Carrie Webster (D – Kanawha County) as the new chair of the House Judiciary Committee. It is not a stretch to say that Delegate Webster is a strong advocate for the environment. Thompson also chose Delegate Bonnie Brown (D – Kanawha County) as the new chair of the Legislative Rulemaking Review Committee. It is also not a stretch to say that Delegate Brown is a strong advocate for the environment. These two committees are without doubt the most important committees in the House for environmental issues. However, there is also reason for caution. The “pro-environment” balance did not shift all that much as a result of the election. Good environmental legislation will still face an uphill battle in both Houses. Perhaps the best way to look at the “new order” when it concerns environmental issues is that the playing field will be much more level than it has been in the recent past. One thing did seem evident to me in this first week of the legislative session – this new majority that has been cobbled together on the House side has infused hallways and offices at the statehouse with a new optimism. And, as I sat in the House gallery watching the opening session of the 78th Legislature it was impossible for me to wipe the grin from my face as I gave a big thumbs up to Del. Barbara Fleischauer (D-Monongalia) as she was sworn in to serve yet once again. Welcome back, Barbara! Being green may have gotten to be a little bit easier “under the dome.” The weatherman decided to remind us that it’s winter this week, so remember to keep your bird feeders “open for business.” "Movin' On Up" By Denise Poole, |
