Something to Think About
Don Michael, WVFB Director of Governmental Affairs
March Madness at Nationwide
Arena . . . and “Under the
Dome” – March features an
annual showcase for devoted
fans of basketball, as well as
those devoted to the legislative
process. Having experienced
both history-making events
last month, I found striking
similarities. The atmosphere during the NCAA Division
I Men’s Basketball Rounds at Nationwide Arena in
Columbus, Ohio was quite similar to that in Charleston,
West Virginia as the 2015 Regular Legislative Session
drew to a close – with each venue providing suspense
and excitement, and yielding winners and losers in the
process. Of course any team making the NCAA tourney
is a winner, and true winners are distinguished by their
character – both on and off the court. As any fan of the
sport has heard from coaches over the years, “It’s not
whether you win or lose, it’s how you play the game.”
The same can be said about the political process.
“March Madness” was alive and well “under the
Dome” as midnight approached on the last evening
of the session. House Bill #2688, the much-debated
pooling legislation (passing the House by a 60-40
margin, before being slightly amended by the Senate
on a 24-10 vote and sent back to the House for
concurrence), was hanging in limbo as stakeholders
estimated the House vote (based on direct contact
with individual lawmakers) to be around 57 to 43
at 10:00 p.m. Shortly thereafter, word circulated
that key votes were “peeling off” and it became
obvious HB #2688 had become nothing more than
a “political basketball.” At approximately 10:30
p.m. the legislation died on a 49-49 vote. As I
noted last month, the legislation was consistent with
policy approved by members at our WVFB Annual
Meeting in November. Farm Bureau’s Leadership/
Board of Directors supported the legislation, feeling
it created significant opportunities for members,
while providing protection for their rights. What the
future holds is anyone’s guess – stay tuned!
The 2015 Regular Session will certainly rank
among the most productive in recent years in terms of
gains for Farm Bureau members. Key bills (HB/House
Bill and SB/Senate Bill) on our legislative watch
list signed into law by Governor Tomblin include:
SB #3 – Protecting WV’s Longstanding Trespasser
Liability Laws; SB #13 – Reinstating the Open and
Obvious Doctrine for Premises Liability; SB #237 –
Captive Cervid Farming Act; SB #423 – Amending
Aboveground Storage Tank Regulations; SB #361
– Prevailing Wage Reform; HB #2001 – Repeal of
Portions of the Alternative and Renewable Energy
Portfolio Act; and HB #2010 – Non-Partisan Election
of WV Supreme Court Justices, Circuit Court Judges,
Family Court Judges and Magistrates. HB #2568
(Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act) also
became law as a result of a veto override. Legislation
was completed on SB #584 (Transferring Cedar
Lakes Center to a Private, Non-Stock, Not-for-Profit
Corporation) and awaits the Governor’s signature at
this writing. Caution and concern surround two other
bills completing legislation and awaiting Governor
Tomblin’s signature: SB #30 – Permitting Shared
Herd Ownership Agreements to Consume Raw Milk
and HB #2515 – Elk Restoration in West Virginia.
The recent session could well be defined by
extremely long work days and nights (which are the
norm for the dedicated public servant), passionate
debate and filibustering. As is the case with most
sessions, it also featured hate mail and death threats,
which are totally unacceptable! Whether one agrees
or disagrees with the position of a public servant, he/
she always has a responsibility to treat them with
respect. For the most part the devoted public servant
has a thankless job. Have you taken time lately to say
“thanks” to your public servants?
“March Madness” brings out the best “on the
hardwood” and “under the Dome.” During my first
session in 2007, a seasoned veteran of the legislative
process noted: “We have workhorses and show horses
down here. I choose to be one of the workhorses!”
Whether basketball or politics, I’ll take the workhorse
every time. Until next time – KEEP SMILING
FRIENDS, God