CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Legislative leadership continues to work on proposed bills that will eliminate rules and regulations from state code, incoming state Senate President Mitch Carmichael said Tuesday on MetroNews “Talkline.”
“These are onerous, burdensome regulations that many entities have ranked West Virginia as the most over-regulated, burdensome scheme in America and those things have cost,” Carmichael (R-Jackson) said.
Carmichael and others were scheduled to meet with representatives of Governor-elect Jim Justice Tuesday afternoon to discuss the proposals.
“Those regulations have costs. They cost jobs and revenue for our state. We have specific bills,” Carmichael said.
Bills approved last year by the Republican-controlled legislature reduced state rules and regulations by 10 percent.
Carmichael also promised during Tuesday’s “Talkline” appearance more bills when it comes to civil justice reform. He said the work the last two years by the legislature has helped remove it from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Judicial “Hellhole” rankings.
“We’re still out of step with many of our surrounding states and the states throughout the nation,” Carmichael said. “Does it really surprise you that the personal injury trial lawyers think we’ve gone too far?”
Carmichael will be formally elected Senate president next week.