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End of the week notes from under the Capitol dome

—The regular session of the Legislature wraps up tomorrow night at midnight, and not a moment too soon. By the end of the eight-week session, lawmakers, staff, lobbyists and reporters are all worn out. Tempers grow short, mistakes are made. Still, two months feels like about the right length; long enough that multiple issues can be taken up, but short enough to still maintain a part-time citizen legislature.

—There’s always at least one bill that ends up being a Christmas tree—a legislative vehicle that attracts all manner of subjects. This session it is HB 2646. The original intent of the bill regulated the sale of fireworks in the state, but after some handiwork in the Senate this week, it now includes an increase in the cigarette tax by $1 over two years and permission for casinos to have smoking sections. Chuck Hamsher, longtime lobbyist for the Coalition for a Tobacco Free West Virginia sarcastically joked, “Fireworks and cigarettes. What could go wrong?”

—Meanwhile, Hamsher’s group opposes the bill, even though it includes a substantial increase in the cigarette tax, which his group pushes for every year. That’s because the gambling section of the bill expands or protects smoking at casinos. The Coalition wants an immediate and dramatic increase in the cigarette tax, which it believes will discourage people from smoking. Hamsher says a slower increase is more easily absorbed by smokers.

—Governor Tomblin would make a good poker player. The Governor, who is notoriously cautious with sharing his opinions, wasn’t telling anyone whether he planned to sign or veto the controversial coal jobs and safety bill. Tomblin continued to meet and talk with interest groups even as the deadline approached. The Governor ended up signing the bill late yesterday afternoon.

—Senate Minority Leader Jeff Kessler said on Metronews Talkline yesterday that he and Governor Tomblin remain friends; he just wishes the Governor would have been more front-and-center this session to fight back against the new Republican majority. Earlier Kessler told the Daily Mail that Tomblin “has not exhibited bold leadership in a party that’s desperate for it.” Tomblin responded last week saying, “My style is not jumping up and waving the flag and saying how great I am, but to get the people’s work done and have cooperation and getting everyone involved.”

—Leave it to former state Supreme Court Justice Richard Neely to liven up a Senate Judiciary Committee meeting. While warning lawmakers against West Virginia participating in a national constitutional convention of states, the loquacious lawyer said, “You can believe that every pointy-headed, wine-sipping, cheese-eating, Volvo-driving, NPR-listening wussy… from across the country, at the first Constitutional (convention) will make a hard charge at eliminating the 2nd Amendment.”

—Speaking of the 2nd Amendment, the power of the gun lobby is on display this session with SB 347. The bill eliminates the requirement that an individual get a permit and take a training course in order to carry a concealed gun. While a number of lawmakers privately question the wisdom of the bill, they don’t want to publicly cross gun rights groups. The bill passed the Senate 32-2 and the House 79-21.

—One of the more interesting political dynamics this session has been the influence of the “liberty caucus” in the House of Delegates. It’s a group of 10 to 12 of the most right-leaning members. Their devotion to conservative causes has made it difficult at times for House Speaker Tim Armstead to get a consensus of his caucus.

—Finally, all hail the Northern Red Salamander. The House and Senate have approved a resolution naming the li’l guy the official state amphibian.





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