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House education chairman says he’d be OK with Justice’s arts secretary idea

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — One of the main legislative advocates for dismantling the Department of Education and the Arts says he would be willing to go along with Gov. Jim Justice’s desire to keep a cabinet-level position overseeing arts efforts in West Virginia.

“I share the governor’s commitment to the arts and would support cabinet-level representation of these important programs in a manner consistent with eliminating excess bureaucracy,” said House Education Chairman Paul Espinosa, R-Jefferson.

Governor Jim Justice

Justice, during a public appearance on Thursday, said he is still considering what to do about the bill that would dismantle one of his cabinet-level agencies.

He said he is willing to do away with the agency and spin off most of its duties to other existing departments. But Justice wants assurances that the transition would go smoothly. And he still wants a cabinet-level advocate for the arts.

“There is a real hangup that I have, and it’s just this: If I sign the bill, I’ve got to have the ability to create a secretary of the arts because our arts need to grow in West Virginia,” Justice said.

A cabinet position matching that description might continue to oversee related agencies such as the Division of Culture and History, the West Virginia Library Commission and West Virginia Public Broadcasting, as well as programs such as Governor’s Schools.

But it might spin off agencies that are not arts-focused, such as the Center for Professional Development or the West Virginia Rehabilitation Services, both of which are currently in the department.

The complication is, that’s not what the bill before Justice says.

What Justice will do with the bill has been highly-anticipated ever since it passed during the regular legislative session.

Gayle Manchin

Conflict over what to do resulted in last week’s firing of Justice’s high-profile secretary for Education and the Arts, Gayle Manchin, the wife of U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin.

Gayle Manchin, in a news release that went out prior to her firing, had described the fight over Education and the Arts as a partisan attack. She said the result would be the loss of a top-level advocate for the arts in West Virginia.

“I do not believe that a partisan fight is in the best interest of West Virginia,” Manchin stated. “In fact, I know that signing this legislation will hurt our children, seniors, veterans, the disabled, and disaster response training. In addition, it eliminates a statewide advocacy for the arts.”

One of the main projected savings in the bill currently being considered by the governor is the elimination of the secretary’s position, which pays $95,000 a year.

Republican supporters in the state Legislature — like Espinosa — have said the bill would result in more efficient government by combining redundant programs.

Not all of the agencies and programs within Education and the Arts are directly related to the arts.

Some — like the Center for Professional Development — would go into the separate Department of Education. Some others — like the Division of Rehabilitation Services — would wind up in the Department of Commerce.

But critics have opposed doing away with state government’s official advocate for the arts. They have also said more specific transitions need to be developed for some of the programs within Education and the Arts — along with assurances that federal dollars would follow any movements to new departments.

Espinosa, commenting Thursday evening, said he believes the moves can be made without undue disruption.

“I remain confident that HB 4006 can be implemented with no disruption in program services or federal funding and would help reduce administrative overhead at a considerable savings to taxpayers,” Espinosa said.

“Most importantly, this legislation would increase flexibility and move more responsibility to the district, school and classroom levels — to let principals lead and teachers teach.”

A fiscal note from the Department of Education — which is a separate agency from Education and the Arts — estimates savings of $750,000 through the elimination of some staff positions.

separate fiscal note from the Department of Education and the Arts estimates no savings and suggests the move could actually be inefficient.

“HB 4006 is extremely vague overall,” that fiscal note concludes. “The language in the bill excludes numerous programs and other non-appropriated funds. There is no mention of staffing or administrative support for any of the Agencies. With no mention of centralized administrative support there would be additional cost(s)for each Agency to address this and determine what staffing or other administrative support is needed.”

Larry Rowe

Delegate Larry Rowe, who was an outspoken advocate during the regular legislative session for keeping the Department of Education and the Arts, said right now the governor only has two choices: let the bill become law or veto it.

Rowe, D-Kanawha, advocates for vetoing the bill and then coming back to the Legislature next year with his vision for how the arts may be represented in West Virginia government.

Rowe envisions a Secretary for Arts, Music and Culture.

“The only thing for him to do that makes sense is to veto the bill and then work with the Legislature next year and move the education programs we need to for efficiency,” Rowe said, “and then let’s establish an arts and culture department that takes care of everything else.”





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