Thanksgiving week was a restful and delightful time spent with family and friends, a perfect way to close out November. As I write this column on December 1st, the Christmas season is upon us, bringing a wealth of opportunities for parades, cantatas, and other festive gatherings. I love admiring all the Christmas lights and greenery. I hope you will enjoy the season and all that our district has to offer.
The schedule for December Interims Committee meetings is as follows:
Monday, December 9
• 9:00-10:00AM-Joint Legislative Committee on Flooding (Senate Finance)
• 9:00-10:00AM/Joint Legislative Oversight Commission on Department of Transportation Accountability (Senate Judiciary)
• 10:00-11:00AM/Agriculture and Rural Development (House Judiciary)
• 10:00-11:00AM/Joint Standing Committee on Insurance and PEIA (Senate Chamber)
• 11:00AM-12:00PM/Legislative Oversight Commission on Workforce Development and Labor Issues (House Judiciary)
• 11:00AM-12:00PM/Commission on Interstate Cooperation (Senate Finance)
• 12:00-2:00PM/Joint Standing Committee on Government Operations (House Chamber)
• 12:00-2:00PM/Joint Standing Committee on Education (Senate Chamber)
• 2:00-4:00PM/Joint Standing Committee on Finance (House Chamber)
• 2:00-4:00PM/Joint Standing Committee on the Judiciary (Senate Chamber)
• 4:00-6:00PM/Joint Standing Committee on Health (Senate Chamber)
• 4:00-6:00PM/Joint Standing Committee on Energy and Manufacturing (Senate Judiciary)
Tuesday, December 10
• 9:00-10:00AM/Commission on Special Investigations (Senate Finance)
• 9:00-10:00AM/Legislative Oversight Commission on Education Accountability (Senate Finance)
• 10:00-11:00AM/Joint Committee on Government and Finance (Senate Finance)
• 10:00-11:00AM/Subcommittee for Joint Committee on Volunteer Fire Departments and Emergency Medical Services (Senate Judiciary)
• 11:00AM-12:00PM/Joint Standing Committee on Pensions and Retirement (House Finance)
• 11:00AM-12:00PM/Post Audits Subcommittee (Senate Finance)
• 12:00-2:00PM/Forest Management Review Commission (House Education)
• 12:00-2:00PM/Legislative Oversight Commission on Health and Human Resources Accountability (Senate Finance)
• 2:00-3:00PM/Joint Standing Committee on Economic Development and Tourism (House Chamber)
• 2:00-3:00PM/Legislative Oversight Committee on Regional Jail and Correctional Facility Authority (Senate Judiciary)
- 3:00-4:00PM/Joint Legislative Oversight Commission on State Water Resources (House Education)
• 3:00-4:00PM/Select Committee on Veterans’ Affairs (Senate Judiciary)
• 4:00-5:00PM/Joint Committee on Children and Families (Senate Judiciary)
• 4:00-6:00PM/Joint Standing Committee on Technology and Infrastructure (House Chamber)
You can listen to committee meetings online at WVLegislature.gov.
In an unusual possible sequence of events, West Virginia could have four governors in January. Governor Justice will be sworn on January 3, 205, as Senator for the US Congress, but he could choose not to be sworn on that day. If he does, the Senate President, Craig Blair, will become Acting Governor, but he did not win reelection so on January 8th, the Senate will elect a new Senate President who will take over as Acting Governor until Governor-Elect Patrick Morrisey takes office on January 13th. The Governor-Elect is working with his transition team and meeting with legislative leaders. Morrisey continues to urge residents to submit ideas for West Virginia and feedback at wvprosperitygroup.com.
This past weekend has handed us a blast of wintry weather. I encourage everyone to be prepared for the weather while traveling. Make sure you have an emergency kit in your car in the event you have car trouble or become stalled in traffic. Visit www.ready.gov/kit to get tips and suggested kit items. This is also a good time to check your home for flashlights, batteries, a supply of bottled water, and non-perishable and easy to prepare foods. I would also suggest checking batteries in fire detectors and furnace filters. If you need help with home weatherization, please visit https://wvcad.org.
I also encourage everyone to look out for each other. Check on neighbors, especially the elderly or infirm. In this season of hope, let us be good citizens.
“And good neighbors make a huge difference in the quality of life. I agree.”
(Robert Fulghum)
I look forward to hearing from people in the district and hope to see you out and about enjoying all the great things our area has to offer. I can be contacted at [email protected] or 304-701-8600.