Bill failures disappoint chamber
Group deemed reforms of courts, education necessary for better state business climate
by George Hohmann
Daily Mail Business Editor
CHARLESTON -- The West Virginia Chamber of Commerce said it is deeply disappointed that two initiatives it considers to be key were killed in the state Senate this week.
The chamber said it was concerned that the Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday rejected a bill that would have created an intermediate court of appeals system. The bill also would have provided a right of appeal.
"The Senate Finance Committee indicated that it wanted to hold off on the creation of this new court system pending new rules on appellate practice that are being developed by the state Supreme Court," the chamber noted. "The chamber calls on the high court to complete these new rules as soon as possible. . .but we believe an intermediate court still is needed. . ."
The chamber said it was "disheartening, yet understandable," that Sen. Erik Wells, D-Kanawha, withdrew his bill that would have allowed the creation of charter schools.
The chamber called on Gov. Joe Manchin to consider including both of these legislative proposals among items that may be taken up during any special sessions held later this year.
Earlier in the week, the chamber said West Virginia's 10.5 percent unemployment rate requires the state to focus on how to help key business sectors, preserve jobs and create more jobs.
"I call on leaders of the AFL-CIO, the West Virginia Education Association and other education groups to support pro-growth policies that will help to stimulate business activity and grow more private-sector jobs for all our citizens," chamber president Steve Roberts said.
The Legislature could make significant changes, he said. They include enacting legal reforms; "supporting common-sense health-care reform proposals such as more flexibility for health insurance purchasing options"; and "preserving the state's Rainy Day Fund so scheduled business tax reductions can occur."
Also, "bringing a halt to EPA, Obama Administration and congressional nonsense related to lawful environmental permits for domestic energy (natural gas and coal) production"; generating support to maintain the state's energy production and distribution capabilities; and "encouraging more options and better outcomes from our state's K-12 education system."