MORGANTOWN — The state Legislature returned to Charleston Wednesday for a day of formalities, and one item stood out from previous assemblies: Everybody wore masks.
COVID-19 was just beginning to be a concern when the 84th Legislature adjourned last March but now, the first floor sessions of the 85th Legislature, its effects were more than evident in the masks, in the absence of the press from the House and Senate floors (reporters who attended in person rather than remotely were seated in the balconies) and in other ways.
Topping the various organizational and ceremonial activities of the day were the formal elections of the House speaker and Senate president: Both were chosen in caucus meetings before the New Year.
In the House, the senior delegate present, Bill Anderson, R-Wood, presided over this opening portion of the session. The majority GOP nominated 84th Legislature (each Legislature lasts two years) Speaker Roger Hanshaw, R-Clay, and the minority Democrats nominated new Minority Leader Doug Skaff, D-Kanawha.
As always, the nominees voted for each other and Hanshaw was elected 76-22.
Skaff had the privilege of formally introducing Hanshaw. “I haven’t met much more of an honorable man, a more honest man and a more respected man than this gentleman right here,” Skaff said.
The elections are over, Skaff said, and it’s time to come together as West Virginians, roll up their sleeves and do what’s right to move West Virginia forward.
Hanshaw’s immediate predecessor, former Speaker and now state Supreme Court Justice Tim Armstead swore him in. Hanshaw’s wife, Kirsten, and their daughters, Kathryn and Rebecca, stood with him for the swearing in.
In his first speech of the 2021 session, Hanshaw acknowledged the pandemic. “We are assembled in extraordinary times.” But service means, “We have an obligation to create the best West Virginia we can create.”
Hanshaw noted that West Virginia has gained national attention for its success and leadership during the pandemic. “The spotlight of the world is shining on West Virginia.” The creates an opportunity to take advantage of that spotlight and make this a state people want to choose.”
There have been great losses, he said, but in the eye of that storm is opportunity.”
His personal priority, he said, is to move forward on measures they can agree will make West Virginia a place to choose. “We can do that by working collectively together.”
In the Senate, as in the House, the senior member presided over the opening portions. Sen. Donna Boley, R-Pleasants, opened the floor to nominations. Sens. Charles Trump, R-Morgan, and Eric Tarr, R-Putnam, put forth former Finance chair Craig Blair, R-Berkeley.
Unlike the House, no Democrat was nominated. New Minority Leader Stephen Baldwin, D-Greenbrier, moved in the name of bipartisanship to close the nominations and have Blair elected by acclimation.
Former state Senator and Congressman and now state Supreme Court Chief Justice Evan Jenkins swore Blair in.
Blair spoke considerably longer than Hanshaw. He opened with an appeal to unity.
“I know what it feels like to be outnumbered,” he said. “I know what it feels like to be in the majority. But what I know more than anything is what it feels like to be a West Virginian. … We’re here to make the lives of West Virginians better and we can do that together,” working with the House and the governor.
As Finance chair, he said, he tracked all bills before his committee on a board on the wall, and never noted the sponsor. He wants to maintain that approach. “No idea will be off the table.”
Unlike Hanshaw, Blair named a couple specific proposals to pursue. One, with bipartisan agreement, is expanding broadband access.
The other, with less-than-bipartisan support at this point, is reduction and elimination of the personal income tax. He believes, he said, that this move could draw 400,000 people to the state.
“The tide has changed and its coming in for West Virginia,” he said. “Now’s the time to press down on the accelerator, speed up the opportunities of change, and we will do this together.”
Blair spent some time looking back on his education and professional career. He noted that he’d been knocked in one newspaper for being the first Senate president in 106 years to lack a college education.
That’s irrelevant, he said. What’s important is making sure all residents have the opportunities to learn the skills they want and need.
He grew up as a farmer, growing apples and peaches, he said. He took trade school classes, learning how to be an electrician and welder and water treatment specialist. He built his own business.
“You don’t have to be loved for what you do,” he said. “You have to do what you do so well people love you for it.”
Both houses also elected other officers and met jointly to publish election returns for governor and other executive branch officers.
The Legislature typically begins its annual 60-day session on the second Wednesday of January, except in gubernatorial election years when it’s pushed back a month. This is one of those and the Legislature will convene its 2021 session on Feb. 10.
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