HUNTINGTON -- Tom Miller calls them "shiny objects."

Those are the news stories that come out of the West Virginia Legislature that may not have much of an impact on state residents, but they create a buzz.

From this past Legislative session, he can think of a couple examples: a proposal to ban Barbies, and how Tudor's biscuits were brought in the day that the House voted down a proposal to require restaurants to post calorie counts.

"It's unfortunate that the shiny objects... are the things that get all the attention," said Miller, a columnist for The Herald-Dispatch who has covered the Legislature for more than 40 years.

It's important to take a look back and recap what else happened, he said, and the Huntington Regional Chamber of Commerce has organized an opportunity for West Virginians to do so.

The Chamber will present "A View from the Capitol: A review of the 2009 Legislative Session" from noon to 1:30 p.m. Friday, July 10. It's a luncheon event at the Pullman Plaza Hotel.

Though the Chamber's Legislative review usually features Legislators themselves, this year's event has a little twist. Its panelists are journalists and lobbyists who cover the Legislature, and they will discuss their take on what was accomplished, and not accomplished.

Along with Miller, other panelists will be: Lawrence Messina, the statehouse correspondent for the Associated Press; Kennie Bass, a reporter for WCHS TV 8; Beth Gorczyca Ryan, managing editor of The State Journal; and Brenda Nichols Harper, vice president and general counsel of the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce.

Ed Dawson, executive editor of The Herald-Dispatch, will serve as the master of ceremonies.

Chamber President Mark Bugher said he had trouble getting all the local Legislators together this year because of summer vacations and such, and thus decided to try something new.

"We'll certainly get a different viewpoint from this group, and I'm excited about the mix of people," Bugher said. "I think it's going to be an interesting event, and we've opened it up to anybody who wants to come."

A lot of things are accomplished each year, and a lot aren't, so it's good to have a review, he said.

"A lot happens during that period of time," Bugher said. "When you look back on it, because things have been reported piecemeal throughout the session, when it's over it's hard to get a sense of what really took place. Also, people are interested in different things, and they might gauge the success of the session on one or two things.

"I think it's important for everyone to know what goes on in the Legislature and to be involved in it. I think we're going to leave plenty of time for people to ask questions, which I think is important."

Cost for the luncheon is $25 per person. Seating will be limited. Register by contacting the Chamber at (304) 525-5131.

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