A student’s perspective on the closing night of the Legislature
"We’ve got work to do. I mean, everybody needs to realize that" Governor Justice
To be candid, I am a junior at Grace Christian School. This past Saturday my brother and I got the amazing opportunity to go behind the scenes of how West Virginia is run thanks to Mike Wilson- the Legislative Liaison for the West Virginia Education Association and also a teacher at Elk Valley Christian School who takes members of his government class to the legislature for the final session. It was a truly eye-opening experience that allowed me to learn beyond the classroom.
Before I attended I heard that the last night of a Legislation Session is notorious for being hectic and often likened to a two-ring circus. Yet while some people could have been more mature, there were some very hardworking statesmen and stateswomen. The session would end at midnight and whatever bills were unvoted on, would "die". Those bills would be dismissed and would have to be brought back up and undergo the whole process again.
When we arrived in the House Gallery around 5:15, there was a bill up for a vote. The House Speaker opened the bill up for discussion and a Delegate asked that the bill be read in its entirety. This sparked many groans from many Delegates as this occurred as the clerk began reading a 40-plus-page bill. Almost no Delegates were listening to the bill being read. I got the opportunity afterward to ask a Delegate why people would ask for the bill to be read in its entirety; he explained that it is normally because a Delegate does not wish for a bill to be voted on but anticipates an outcome they don't want. Another reason they may ask for it to be read is a stall tactic so that other bills they don't want to be brought up, will not be. This tactic is known as the "sine-die tactic". If a meeting ends with no set date for meeting back together, it is adjourned sine die. This tactic is used by many students; they know that if they can get the teacher to talk about a certain topic, they can get the teacher distracted enough until the bell rings for class to be over. I expected this from students but not from people who run the state. Voters have put their trust in these people, and some are truly hard-working people. However, others sometime clown around like highschoolers instead of doing what is best for the state.
One notable display of statesmanship occurred during the Senate's vote on the Vaccination Exemption Bill. Senator Roberts raised a point of order with Senate President Craig Blair, citing his multiple roles as a pastor and head of Victory Christian School near Beckley, which could be perceived as a conflict of interest. Despite this, Senate President Blair permitted him to vote, and along with many others, the bill passed the Senate.
At around 11 pm, a Delegate began asking detailed questions about the budget to House finance chairman Vernon Criss. I was impressed by her thorough understanding evident in her precise inquiries about a budget nearing 5 billion dollars. Equally impressive was the clarity with which Delegate Criss and his staff provided answers to her questions.
As 11:30 approached, several Delegates also posed questions to Delegate Dean Jefferies regarding two compromises sent over from the Senate, which he was explaining. He and his staff systematically and logically elucidated these compromises, making them understandable even to someone like myself who has a much lower knowledge of the Budget than many of the Delegates.
As midnight approached, the House was swiftly voting on the remaining bills, and there was excitement in the gallery as House Speaker Hanshaw efficiently moved through the agenda. However, as the sine die hour drew near, a Delegate rose and began questioning a bill. Every few seconds, he glanced at his watch, and as expected, he effectively ran out the clock.
Of the bills Mr. Wilson was watching for, four were successfully voted on, while nine bills were left unvoted due to running out of time or being 'died' in committee.
WSAZ had an article this morning https://www.wsaz.com/2024/03/11/assessing-what-did-not-become-law-wva/ with a leading comment that put it into their perspective “West Virginia lawmakers passed 280 bills during their just completed 60-day regular session -- 11 percent of all bills introduced, a number and percentage this close, but ranks less than the five previous years dating back to 2019”. They also quoted the Governor who said “Too much, you know, just talking everything that was unnecessary,” he said. “We’ve got work to do. I mean, everybody needs to realize that."
I was shocked, in the best way, when our Governor articulated the same sentiments I felt. I remembered when the 49ers employed a similar tactic against the Cowboys a few years back during a game, which proved effective, much like it did Saturday night in Legislative session. The Governor's comment resonated the same message of the person announcing during the game: "Of course, it's ridiculous for a game to end like this."
This is truly one of the most eye-opening experiences a person, but especially a teenager can have. Next year thanks to Mr. Wilson, I plan on applying to be a page for Delgate Dean Jeffries. I truly cannot wait to be able to see this process from the floor. If you ever get the chance to go see this- GO
I am asking Mr. Wilson if I can accompany him next year for this. Even with the few jesters among the Delegates and Senators...
It was the Greatest Show on Earth
Rachel
Graduate of Grace Christian School
