CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Senator Eric Tarr has been named the vice chairman for Finance, which normally wouldn’t be such a big deal.
But in this case, the regular legislative session is about to begin right after a serious vehicle accident involving Senate Finance Chairman Craig Blair.
So Tarr, R-Putnam, will have to hit the ground running.
“I believe a strong foundation can be built upon teamwork and common goals, and I know the Finance Committee members share the goal of making West Virginia the best state for businesses and families in the country,” Tarr stated in an announcement of the move.
The vice chairman had been Kenny Mann, R-Monroe. Mann announced a few weeks ago that he doesn’t plan to run for re-election again because the funeral home business he owns has occupied so much of his time.
Tarr will have more responsibility for Finance than usual following a wreck that required surgery for committee chairman Blair.
Blair was in Charleston preparing for the legislative session when he drove to a Subway for a sandwich on Saturday. On his return trip, Blair was cut off in traffic, tried to avoid a collision and hit a concrete barrier head-on.
He broke his nose and seriously damaged his hip, an injury that required surgery on Monday. Blair wants to return to his legislative duties but even he acknowledged that he would have a hard time achieving that before the session kicks off at noon Wednesday.
Blair, speaking on the telephone Sunday evening from the hospital, credited hard-working staff for carrying on ably. He also alluded to an incoming vice chairman who could fill in.
Blair had promised to get the budget out within the 60 days of the regular session. The state, right now, is running neither a huge deficit nor an enormous surplus so few observers expect a big budget battle.
But the Finance Committee reviews hundreds of spending bills that can affect the state.
Senate President Mitch Carmichael stated his support for Tarr.
“The Finance Committee touches virtually every major piece of legislation that goes through the Senate, and a strong leadership team is important to make sure the job is done efficiently and expertly,” Senate President Carmichael stated.
Tarr is a physical therapist and small business owner. His family of companies includes about 30 different businesses in 10 different industries.
He is a member of the Putnam County Rotary Club, a member of the board of directors of the Putnam County Chamber of Commerce, and a member of the West Virginia Physical Therapy Association.
Prior to his election in 2018, he served as Policy Adviser to the Chairman of the Senate Health Committee and Policy Adviser to the Senate Majority Leader.
“Senator Tarr has a very deep understanding of both the private and public sector, and as a successful business owner, he knows what’s involved in a budget process,” Carmichael stated.
“I am grateful to have him step into this role at a critical time, and I look forward to what he will accomplish.”