CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin will deliver his fourth State of the State Address Wednesday night at the state capitol. The speech will be the highlight of the first day of the 60-day regular legislative session.
Members of the state Senate and House of Delegates will gavel in the session at noon with floor sessions. They will then break until the governor’s speech that will begin at shortly after 7 p.m.
Tomblin administration Communications Director Amy Shuler Goodwin said the speech will look at the accomplishments of the last year including the new education reform law and the cracker plant developments in Wood County. She said the speech will also look ahead.
“He will be speaking directly about the state of the state, our financial outlook and his vision to improve education, growing a skilled workforce and caring for our seniors and veterans,” she said.
Tomblin, who has spent 40 years at the capitol in various roles including a record number of years as state Senate president, enjoys this time of year according to Goodwin.
“This is the governor’s wheelhouse,” she said. “He still believes in the same principles–being a good steward of the people’s money and making tough decisions when he needs too.”
Tomblin may have to say the word “no” a lot during the next two months with tight budget times including lagging revenue collections and increased costs for Medicaid.
“Times are tight. It’s something all agencies are dealing with,” Goodwin said. “You’ll hear the governor talk about the state of the state, our financial outlook, and what we all can do to help out.”
MetroNews Talkline with Hoppy Kercheval will air live from Upper Rotunda at the state capitol Wednesday morning beginning at 10:06.