From: The Associated Press
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - Declaring that West Virginia is poised to gain economic ground in the Great Recession's wake, acting Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin detailed a legislative agenda Wednesday focusing on jobs, education and the state's natural resources.
By Jared Hunt
Daily Mail Capitol Reporter
Acting Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin's budget proposal is relatively in line with previous years, though it does not account for some future liabilities that may be on the horizon.
The State House
Charleston, West Virginia
January 12, 2011
Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, Members of the Board of Public Works, Justices of the Supreme Court of Appeals, Members of the State School Board of Education, Members of the Legislature, Distinguished Guests, and My Fellow West Virginians.
It is my honor to join you here tonight during these historic times and in this historic setting. Although we may find ourselves in unique circumstances at this juncture, one principle remains constant - we all have an obligation to do the work of the people of our Great State. We must set aside our personal and political agendas and put West Virginia first. We have challenges to meet, opportunities to create, and a future with great potential.
Join me in making this Legislative Session one to remember for the positive things we achieved, and how we all came together for the betterment of our State.
Heading back to work this week, Americans were greeted not only by a new year but also by a whole slew of new laws -- 31,000 of them at the state level -- covering everything from guns to 100-watt light bulbs to, of course, "health care." As usual, most of these laws tell us what we can't do: texting while driving (duh), cyberbullying and smoking in bars.
Though the Environmental Protection Agency declined to specifically comment on legislation proposed to shift more power into the hands of state officials, a spokesperson did provide further background on current permitting procedures.