The 60-day regular session of the legislature begins in less than three weeks and many are wondering what the new numbers in the House of Delegates will produce. The House Majority Whip believes there will be a spirit of cooperation.
The Democrats have long held a dominant lead in members but that’s changed. When the session begins Feb. 13 there will be 54 Democrats in the House and 46 Republicans.
Del. Mike Caputo, D-Marion, who as Majority Whip is in charge of counting votes for bills supported by leadership, says he doesn’t anticipate gridlock in the House.
“Both sides know that you can’t be extreme on any issue. We’re going to have to find the good out of everything,” Caputo said.
The increased number of GOP delegates has also changed the make-up of the major committees. Both the House Finance and House Judiciary committees will have 14 Democrats and 11 Republicans. Caputo says there may be more close votes but he also believes there will be lots of agreement on other issues like there’s been in the past.
“Most votes were 100 to nothing, 95 to 5, 90 to 10,” Caputo said. “That shows that we have worked together even when we had 35 Republican members of the House. Still votes were overwhelming so that shows both sides worked together. I hope to see a lot more of that.”