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Manchin unveils array of legislation
Charleston native Jennifer Garner is recognized during West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin's State of the State address in the House Chambers of the State Capitol in Charleston, Jan. 13, 2010. (AP Photo/Bob Bird)
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CHARLESTON -- Gov. Joe Manchin said he has plans to combat the effects of the economic recession during his sixth State of the State address in Charleston on Wednesday night.
But also he urged residents to prepare for challenges.
Manchin spoke to a packed crowd of legislators and supporters in the House of Delegates chambers, saying he would improve education, public safety and the business climate in West Virginia while keeping government finances stable. He also packed in lowering business property taxes and offering public funds to 2012's state Supreme Court candidates and renewed the call for changes to the public school calendar. He asked lawmakers to help him centralize the state's vehicle fleet, and for all West Virginians to take part in this year's Census.
The governor's speech came on the first day of the 60-day session, one expected to deal with budget shortcomings due to the recession. To make up those shortcomings, Manchin recently required state agencies to reduce their current general revenue budgets by 3.4 percent.
And as 26 states have laid off or furloughed workers, Manchin said West Virginia has not.
"While we cannot afford to add any base-building salary increases in Fiscal Year 2011, we are still able to provide annual employee increments and we are fully funding teacher and service personnel step increases," Manchin said.
Though the state is tightening its belt, Manchin said there are a number of projects that will continue to be funded.
Speaker of the House Richard Thompson, D-Wayne, said he enjoyed the speech and thought Manchin introduced some important legislation that will affect Cabell and Wayne counties. What he enjoyed most, however, was the governor's attitude about where the state is headed.
"I thought the speech was very positive about where we are and what we can do," Thompson said. "I think we have a lot to be proud of, like being one of the few states that are financially able to pay our bills."
In an effort to rid cities of damaged properties that harbor illegal activity, Manchin said he will introduce legislation that allows cities to collect fees from absentee owners for vacant properties they don't keep up. The legislation, he said, will encourage residents and business owners to take pride in their communities and help spruce up the cities.
The legislation teams up cities with the Insurance Federation to give more flexibility to clean up buildings damaged beyond repair by fire by allowing the cities to place a lien on fire insurance properties.
Delegate Jim Morgan, D-Cabell, said he was pleased with the governor's decision to support legislation that helps cities like Huntington deal with hundreds of dilapidated and dangerous houses. While similar legislation has not received much support by the legislature and the insurance industry in the past, Morgan said he hopes the legislation will get passed this time.
"We've had a little difficulty getting all parties together," Morgan said. "Hopefully we'll make it work this time."
Delegate Doug Reynolds, D-Cabell, said Manchin's legislation about dilapidated housing was directed specifically at Huntington. The Cabell and Wayne delegations, Reynolds said, will overwhelming support this legislation.
Huntington will also benefit from legislation Manchin said he will introduce regarding prison overcrowding. The proposed legislation will streamline the state's parole system and expand the work-release programs.
The "accelerated parole system," Manchin said, has been tested by other states and is one part of an overall plan to free up the state prison systems. The program will be open only to non-violent offenders and those convicted of crimes that do not involve children.
Morgan said he hoped the program could be expanded to the Mildred Mitchell Bateman Hospital in Hutington.
"I'd like to see that program brought (to Huntington) and get more people working," Morgan said.
In addition to reforming the overcrowded prison system, Manchin spoke also about the importance of introducing judicial reform legislation. The first piece of judicial reform legislation he will be introducing is a public financing pilot program for the two Supreme Court seats up for election in 2012.
"The goal is to relieve judges from the burden of political fundraising and to reduce the potential for appearance of bias as a result of campaign donations," Manchin said.
The second bill Manchin will introduce aims to establish a judicial advisory committee to aid the governor in the selection of judges for Circuit Court vacancies.
"This bill will ensure that only the most highly qualified individuals are considered for appointment and will enhance transparency in this process." Manchin said.
The governor announced that the state Supreme Court will soon issue rules for public comment that are intended to ensure there will be full appellate review by the Court of all final decisions on the merits issued by the circuit courts in the state.
Manchin also spoke about the importance of kids attending a full school year. The governor said he will reintroduce legislation that requires students to attend 180 days of school instruction.
Highlighting the governor's focus on children, was an appearance by West Virginia native and Hollywood actress Jennifer Garner. Garner was joined by children's advocate Mark Shriver to show support for Save the Children, an organization that helps disadvantaged children around the world.
In trying to help students and their parents pay for college, Manchin asked all technical and four-year colleges and universities to freeze their tuition rates for the coming school year.
"We will carry Governor Manchin's message to our board of governors who are the final decision-makers in any decision involving tuition," said Bill Bissett, Chief of Staff for Marshall University.
"It would make sense that West Virginia's private institutions of higher learning embrace the same standard, especially those that receive promise scholarship funds."
The Associated Press contributed to this report
