The Associated Press
CHARLESTON — CHARLESTON (AP) — A measure creating a single agency to manage the state’s vehicle fleet was among those sent to Gov. Joe Manchin on Saturday as West Virginia’s Legislature wound down its regular session.
With the economy still weak from the recession, lawmakers and Manchin both worked from hemmed-in agendas during the 60 day session. The Senate and House of Delegates will spend another week completing a state spending plan for the budget year that begins July 1.
Versions of the budget bill they exchanged in advance of the extended session outlined $11.6 billion in spending backed by general tax revenues, lottery proceeds and federal funds, among other sources. Aided by stimulus dollars and a lottery surplus, lawmakers expect to balance the final budget with limited cuts.
Manchin has also not ruled out a special session, perhaps for mid-May, to ensure the state qualifies for the next round of Race to the Top federal education grants. Lawmakers may then try to tackle the nearly $8 billion funding shortfall stemming from non-pension retiree benefits promised public employees.
The Legislature has sent nearly 150 bills to the governor during the regular session, with more than one-third receiving final approval Saturday. Differences over nine measures required joint conference committees to attempt compromises. They included Manchin’s proposal to speed up parole for low-risk, nonviolent offenders, and a much-debated bid to expand the range of practice for optometrists.
On a party-line vote, the Senate sent a campaign finance bill back to the House after making minor changes. The measure is designed to bring West Virginia election law into compliance with a January decision by the U.S. Supreme Court that struck down prohibitions on certain types of campaign spending by companies and unions.
But the bill would also compel large campaign donors to reveal more information about themselves than is currently required. This is the third time in as many years that the Legislature has passed a bill affecting election spending, and portions of the two previous laws have been halted by court actions.
Even Democrats who supported the latest measure predicted similar trouble for it.
“We’ll pass it, we’ll go to court, we’ll probably be struck down a third time,” said Sen. Evan Jenkins, D-Cabell, who said the Legislature hasn’t done enough research to justify the bill. “Please, when we do it a fourth time, let’s do it right.”
Defenders of the legislation, including Senate Judiciary Chairman Jeff Kessler, argued it’s essential to act now, before spending on this year’s campaigns begins in earnest.
“As we enter the 2010 election cycle, we have to make sure we have constitutionally valid laws on the books,” the Marshall County Democrat said.
The governor had requested the vehicle agency bill, as well as another passed Saturday that formalizes his practice of having committees recommend nominees for judicial vacancies.
Manchin’s proposal to ease business taxes through a constitutional amendment foundered in the Senate during the session’s final hours Saturday.
