George Bernard Shaw said, “Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything.”
West Virginians voted for change last November. They rejected long-time Democrat 3rd District Congressman Nick Rahall, chose Republican newcomer Alex Mooney over an established Democrat in the 2nd District and elected the first Republican U.S. Senator since the 1950’s.
Voters also flipped the House of Delegates to the GOP for the first time in 80 years. Republicans gained enough state Senate seats for a 17-17 tie, but a party switch by Senator Daniel Hall gave the GOP the advantage in that body as well.
That’s lead to new leadership in both chambers. Bill Cole (R-Mercer) is the new Senate President and Tim Armstead (R-Kanawha) is the House Speaker. Republicans now control the chairmanships and the majority of every committee.
So what happens now, as the 2015 regular session of the Legislature gets underway?
In governing, the temptation is to follow the path of least resistance to reach an end. Republican leaders promise more debate and open discussion on divisive issues. That will be refreshing if they are able to follow through.
The GOP says it will make a more thorough review of the state budget to try to find savings because of waste and duplication of services. That’s another encouraging but challenging endeavor, because every line item has its advocates.
Senate President Bill Cole wants to immediately take on legal reforms, not through one, but rather a series of bills. This will be complex legislation where there will be resistance from some Democratic lawmakers and trial attorneys.
The new majority says much of its emphasis will be on legislation that improves the state’s economy. The most punitive business taxes—corporate net and business franchise—have already been addressed and the GOP is not prepared to take up the unpopular inventory tax, so there are limited options here.
The more conservative wing of the new GOP will want to address social issues, such as abortion, gun rights and same-sex marriage. Cole and Armstead have to find a way to satisfy those lawmakers, but not get bogged down in emotional fights that may distract from what they say is their primary goal—economic development.
These and other challenges are ahead for the new majority, but as Shaw said, progress can only come with change. That means the session that begins today is about rejecting the status quo in favor of opportunity.
Republicans have been calling for their chance for years. Now they have it. Let’s see what happens.