This is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

Support for the legislature today is provided by... West Virginia University, serving our state with pride, impact, and purpose through education, health care, and discovery.

Let's go!

Visit wvu.edu.

Welcome to The Legislature Today.

I'm Randy Yohe.

State senators are taking the financial crisis of one school district as a chance to revisit broader funding issues in West Virginia schools.

The Senate Education Committee spent over an hour on Tuesday discussing House Bill 4574 to provide emergency funding to Hancock County Schools, but adjourned without taking action.

Now, this is in contrast to the House of delegates, where rules were suspended last week to quickly pass two bills after the state Board of Education announced the district was at risk of running out of funds by March.

Senator Jay Taylor, a Republican from Taylor County, was one of several lawmakers who expressed concern that emergency funds would paper over larger system issues with school funding and erode public trust.

they're not going to trust us.

And this is exactly why they don't trust us.

This smoke and mirrors, cloak and dagger.

Oh, we got too much here.

Not enough there.

Oh, this isn't certified.

Well, this is this is this and this is that.

That doesn't make sense to the average West Virginia.

And to be honest, it doesn't make sense to me.

And it's unacceptable.

The Senate Education Committee did not pick House Bill 4574 back up Thursday, further delaying any emergency funding for Hancock County schools till next week at the earliest.

Many local elected positions in West Virginia, like mayors, are nonpartisan by design, but municipal elections for city council members and mayors across West Virginia would have until 2032 to be conducted as Partizan elections.

If House Bill 4080 is approved.

Now, during Tuesday's House Judiciary Committee, the bill's lead sponsor, Delegate Jimmy Willis, a Republican from Brooke County, was asked about several contingencies not mentioned in the bill, including the need for primaries.

Delegate Evan Hansen, a Democrat from Monongalia County, pointed out that many municipalities have nonpartisan elections built into their charter.

And he asked what would happen if a city was unable to change their charter.

House Bill 4080 was on the agenda for the House Judiciary Committee for Wednesday morning, but was removed at the start of the meeting.

Now, discussion on the Senate floor on a bill to place the historically significant Robert Aiken Bible in certain public school classrooms on Wednesday turned contentious.

Maria Young reports.

Senate Bill 388 would require the Aiken Bible be made available as a resource for fourth, eighth, and 10th grade students.

The Aiken Bible was first published in 1782, when the English Bible could not be imported to the colonies due to the Revolutionary War.

Supporters of the bill say, in addition to the scriptures, it represented the nation's newfound independence.

Senator Mike Woelfel, a Democrat from Cabell County, wanted to amend the bill to make the Catholic American Bible available in classrooms as well.

This is a five word amendment and what it does.

As you can see on your on your device is to, add these five words to the, availability of the Aiken Bible.

The words are "and the Catholic American Bible" that either of those I should say both of those would be available to these fourth, eighth, and 10th graders.

As we look around our room, our chamber today, we don't have a lot of religious diversity.

And, I think, I think this amendment adds to that gives the bill some balance.

But teacher and chair of the Senate Education Committee, Senator Amy Grady, a Republican from Mason County, opposed the amendment.

As we are focused solely on the historical significance as it pertains to our revolutionary time period and when America was gaining its independence.

That's the significance of this Bible, Mister, Mister president, and, I oppose the gentleman's amendment.

Thank you.

Senator Ryan Weld, a Republican from Brooke County, pointed out that the Catholic version has seven books more in the Old Testament.

He supported the amendment.

Senator Eric Tarr, a Republican from Putnam County, was concerned about court challenges if Woelfel's amendment was included.

I'm going to state a different opinion and then my my respected friend from Cabell is that I do believe that this amendment is a poison pill for it to be struck down in the courts.

Tarr also said the Aiken version had historical significance.

The Aiken Bible was recognized in the American Revolution primarily because printing presses were so important to get communication out, and I'm sure my learned friend knows that.

And the reason Congress recognized that was because it demonstrated excellence in publishing at the time and the technical logical proficiency that was happening in America during the revolution.

Senator Kevin Bartlett, a Republican from Kanawha County, weighed in on the historic significance of the Aiken Bible as well.

In addition to the text are several pages that establish the significant historical context that are noted as to this why this Bible is important in its historical significance.

Also, even how it's how it's reprinted, it's replicated as the fonts in the handset type was given.

So it even lets the students see what printing look like in the 18th century.

We're not talking about teaching theology.

That's another debate.

And we're acknowledging this historical significance, and it's prepared so that it does highlight.

It's a resource.

It's not a textbook.

It's an object lesson.

With respect, oppose the gentleman's amendment.

The only other Senate Democrat, Senator Joey Garcia from Marion County, supported Woelfel's measure.

I might even go more broadly if we're going to provide access for, this Bible.

And why not the Catholic Bible?

Why not the Quran?

These all have historical importance.

And so for these reasons, I really think it's about the you can teach all of this, but that's the context of the book.

And what's inside that matters if it's going to be made available for that reason, I support my friend's amendment.

But the exchange between Senators Woelfel and Grady took a sharper tone.

What's wrong with my Bible?

I didn't say there was anything wrong with your bible.

You're rejecting it.

What is wrong with.

Why is your Bible better than my Bible?

This Aiken Bible, which I stated whenever I oppose your amendment, has a historical significance to the American Revolution.

That is the basis of this bill.

We're not trying- I'm not trying to make it religious or theological.

There is no teaching coming from it.

We're not talking about the New Testament, the Old Testament.

We are simply talking about the significance in trade with Britain that happened during this time.

And these specific classes focus on that content.

The amendment failed.

Eight Yays 25 nays, zero not absent in voting.

Less than a majority of those present in voting have voted in the affirmative.

I declare the amendment failed.

After more contentious debate Thursday on the overall merits of the bill itself.

SB 388 passed the full Senate by a vote of 30 yeas to four nays.

It moves now to the House for consideration there.

This has been Maria Young with The Legislature Today Our student report this week dives into elements of Governor Patrick Morrisey's State of the State Address.

Good evening.

Welcome to the Student Segment of The Legislature Today.

I'm Saja Huggi.

And I'm Lily Rhodes In his state of the state address on January 14th, Governor Patrick Morrisey gave us a first look at his legislative goals.

Most notably, he introduced a plan to make West Virginia healthy again, focusing on a major health care transformation for the state.

This plan includes proposing bills to educate the public on dietary guidelines, provide nutrition training for physicians, and reinstate the presidential fitness test.

To meet these goals, several bills have been introduced, including Senate Bill 39 Sponsored by Senator Patricia Rucker.

This legislation would require a 12 week heart health program for students in grades three through six, focusing on nutrition and aerobic exercise.

That bill is currently pending in the Senate Education Committee as it awaits a formal review and a potential vote.

This is part of the Rural Health Transformation Program, a plan that treats health care as a foundation for a stronger workforce tomorrow.

To build that workforce, Senate Bill 170, introduced by Senator Rucker, allows career and technical educational programs to be part of local high schools.

This is done in an effort to expand student access to vocational training and allow them to enter the workforce after graduating high school.

But the workforce push doesn't stop in the classroom.

House Bill 4005.

The workforce Development Act, introduced by delegates David McCormick, Ryan Browning and Mark Dean, aims to open new doors allowing students 16 and older to join a new youth apprenticeship program.

That means we could work in fields like manufacturing or health care under professional supervision, gaining real world experience before we even graduate.

That bill is currently under review by the House Government Organization Committee.

To make that experience count, House Bill 401 for the Workforce Readiness and Opportunity Act would create a micro credential program introduced by speaker Roger Hanshaw.

It gives us formal credit for the specialized skills we've learned on the job.

It's all connected to what Governor Morrisey called the Health to Prosperity pipeline.

By improving our health today, the state hopes to build a stronger workforce for tomorrow.

In addition, the governor discussed plans of rehabilitating the state's foster care system through the Bring Them Home Fund that will be established by House Bill 4021.

This bill focuses on renovating state owned properties so we can provide specialized care for foster children right here in West Virginia.

To support that, House Bill 4022 aims to improve child Protective Services staff allocation to ensure caseworkers are assigned to counties that need them most.

Both bills are led by Speaker Hanshaw and Delegate Sean Hornbuckle.

Additionally, Governor Morrissey spoke about infrastructure, flooding, tourism and address several other matters that will be relevant in this legislative session.

If you are interested in learning more about any of these topics, the full state of the state Address can be found on West Virginia Public Broadcasting's YouTube channel.

We plan to continue following West Virginia's legislature, focusing on the topics and bills we have discussed.

As students, these aren't just political topics us.

They affect our health, our families, and our careers.

As always, I'm Saja Huggi.

And I'm Lily Rhodes.

For The Legislature Today.

Senator Randy Smith, a Republican from Preston County is in his second year as the Senate president.

In that role, he is also the lieutenant governor.

Smith sat down with Eric Douglas to discuss how he sees things going this session.

Welcome to the interview portion of The Legislature Today.

I have Senate President Randy Smith with me.

So this is your second year, as the Senate president, your, What's the experience been like for you so far?

Oh, it's been it's been a great experience.

You know, life's full of experiences.

And this is, you know, I'm proud and honored to be chosen for this job.

So, you know, I take it as I try to do, give it my all.

You know, I've never did anything halfway, you know, in life.

And, it's just it's just a blessing to be be in this building, let alone serve as the Senate president.

You know, the West Virginia state Senate.

It's it's an honor that very few people get to experience.

And you talk about your, your, your blue collar background.

You were, you were a miner, right?

Underground coal miner for 44 years.

And, you know, my wife and I, you know, we have a small business.

We've had different a couple different small businesses.

You know, everybody in West Virginia, I think, sure.

Not not everybody, but a lot of people, you know, I have, until I got this gig, in the Senate or in the House, you know, I was a trout farmer.

I raised trout well, yeah.

I love, love that.

And when I retire, I'd like to go back to doing that.

You know, I'm retired from the coal mines now, but, this job here kind of took up more of my time.

But I've loved it because, you know, I've been let me get clear across the state and meet a lot of people and, you know, see a lot of things that I wouldn't have the opportunity if I wouldn't have this position.

We're a quarter of the way through the session.

So far, by my count this morning.

And it's probably changed, but been about 1500 bills introduced, which is not uncommon.

I had 2000 by the time we're done.

I think last year was about 2500, and only about 250 of those actually passed.

So, so there's a lot of bills that are introduced, but it is felt like just just as an observer, it's felt like things are moving really slowly this year.

Is that fair, you think was.

Well, it might seem like that to you guys, but, you know, behind the scenes, believe me, things aren't moving slow.

I mean, it may be slower than what?

You know, in the past, like, first day, you know, we read suspend rules and and, you know, pass maybe, you know, 30, 40 bills that went through the process last year.

Right.

I was the one who decided not to do that because we have so many new members, you know, I mean, the, I don't know how what, but got ten new members, you know, with the elections and then we've had two today.

Senator Barnhart is the second one in the last couple of months that, you know, Senator Boley resigned.

So, Trent, took her place and, you know, Senator Mike Stuart left, and, you know Senator Taylor.

So it's it's been tough because people, you know, the Senate's never seen this kind of turnover before.

And, and and plus, I'm a new Senate president and I've got all these new senators.

And you know, you're trying to educate them with the process how, you know, the committee process works.

And, you know, I've always been one for to be open with it.

You know, it past, you know, this bill passed, two years ago or a year ago where we had a whole different body then, you know, there's these the new senators I have.

Do they agree with this?

So that's why, you know, I've, asked what stuck the process.

Because that start at the beginning again and.

Yeah.

Yeah, I mean, that's literally, more than a third of your body is, and.

Yeah, that doesn't normally happen with the Senate.

And they're good people.

And, you know, everybody comes in here with going to change the world, you know, and it doesn't work like that.

And there's a lot of bumps in the road because, not knowing how the process works.

And you know, we got this thing we have, called the Constitution that we have to follow and a lot of times, you know, it's, things we do is, is because it's constitutionally we have to do that.

You know, it's, it's a big picture.

And, you know, a lot of people, are not familiar with it, you know, even, you know, citizens in the state and I always say it's a messed up.

This is a messed up, process, but it's the best one in the world.

You know?

So.

So I wanted to ask you about that.

You a third of your body has has switched.

There's a couple committee chairs who are either first or second.

Your senators, they you don't necessarily have the deep bench that you can go to for for some of those positions.

What was your instruction to those, committee chairs?

I mean, did you tell them I generally committee chairs pick what bills they move, although I know the caucus also.

We determine, well the caucus determines if a bill is going to run, you know, I look at it like, you know, I'm not a big micromanager.

You know, I was in, the coal industry.

I was, supervisor and supervisor position, you know, 22 years of my 44 years.

And, you know, these are adults.

They're elected senators, and, they should be able to handle a position like that.

You know, I mean, I mean, we've got the staff.

I mean, let's be honest, our staff pretty well runs the process because they've been here forever.

And, you know, we get a lot of, you know, I know I do.

And and so the other senators get a lot of guidance from our staff, because they've been through this, you know, with several different some of them with several different presidents, you know, six, six, five, six, seven presidents.

And the changes every time, president change.

So, it's not, you know, we we depend on, or I do, I think this body in general depends a lot on the, the staff to, to make, you see the station, you know, how smooth that runs.

I most of the time, not always, but most of the time.

And it's because of the people behind the scene, you know, that keeps things, going because, you know, there's just so many working parts.

There's no way.

Right.

Senators can keep up with everything.

That's why staff is so important.

And, and I think a lot of people would be surprised to know that you actually have a script.

You know, when there's, just for the parliamentary procedural stuff, you have a script of what you're supposed to say to.

Yeah.

Maybe you don't follow it as closely.

Well, when I first started it, because it's new, but, you know, I've got I know the process now, you know, because I was new, I was learning the, parliamentary procedure part of, you know, I was in FFA, and I love parliamentary procedure, but I hadn't used it in 40 some years.

So, you know, I'm, I'm more comfortable with it, and I don't have the exact, you know, word for word anymore because, you know, once you learn what to say, it's it's, you know, you just say the same thing over and over, you know, I mean, you they they send you, you know, there's, say, 40 bills on first reading.

You know, and, when they first started out, the particular, you know, they put, you know, there'll be advance bill there.

Now, I don't need that.

I just got a list of the the bills and, you know, that's just something simple, you know, an introduction.

Just, you know, the more you do it, the easier it becomes.

At the end of the session, March 14th, I believe, where where what do you want to look back and say, this is what we accomplished.

That we helped West Virginia that we passed policies and bills that moves West Virginia forward to grow West Virginia.

You know, mom, I'm big on small business development.

And, because small businesses is what makes West Virginia.

I mean, we're getting some of the big companies now, you know, Nucor and Procter Gamble and, you know, Toyota.

That's great.

They create a lot of jobs.

But it's usually in this in the small area, you know, the Ohio River is just exploding.

The Ohio River Valley.

But most of us represent, rural districts.

You know, I, you know, when I was a delegate that, my district didn't even have a stoplight at it, you know?

But now, you know, I've got six counties and I have a few more stoplights, but, you know, but, and but we're never.

We don't have the Ohio River right there.

So, you know, we have to depend on our small businesses.

Any bill you want to see?

Yeah, Senate Bill 1 is going to be coming out, you know, and it's, it's to help small businesses, obtain finance, you know, financing because, most, you know, these banks, they want to deal with the big business, but this is a program that sets up that helps them, find banks that can help them finance if they want to expand.

You know, we're talking 100 employees and under.

Okay.

And, you know, like I said, most of us that, other than the are, Eastern Panhandle and, you know, down in Mason County, them areas now, but small business is still important there because what we're finding is when these big companies move in, then it just opens up all kinds of opportunities for small businesses, whether it's, you know, convenience stores, restaurants or, you know, machine shop, you know, mom and pop machine shop, stuff like that.

And we got a lot of these businesses, but they we haven't encouraged them to grow.

And, you know, I'm, you know, working with, President Brad Smith at Marshall when I've, you know, we've talked to, President Benson at WVU.

Most small businesses fail because of they don't know how to run a business.

They know what they're doing, you know, whatever product.

If it's a machine shop, they can do driveshafts or whatever.

You know, they're good at that, but a lot of them don't have any business opportunities.

Same way with, you know, if someone opens up a restaurant, you know, the best cook, maybe the best cook in the county, but they've never ran a business.

And, and so, working with, our county CTE programs, you know, to do like QuickBooks, you know, teach QuickBooks, web design and marketing, you know, set them up with the right people to, you know, I've, met with Secretary of State a couple different times.

And, you know, we have the one stop shop there, right?

Or licensing and all that.

And, we're we're going to there going to be some bills to expand that, you know, make it broader that help small businesses.

You know, so they can achieve their goals the last week I spoke to, Speaker Hanshaw, very, very similar conversation.

One thing I said, that he agreed with was that it seems like from time to time, both legislative bodies tend to get a little distracted, whether it's, you know, the social issues or just internal fighting.

I, I believe I heard you say recently that you had ten new senators, most of which who ran on those type of social issues.

How do you strike that balance?

How do you, people need to do what they believe in?

Of course.

But at the same time, that's not going to get you small business legislation passed either.

Yeah, it's a balance that you have to do.

You've got to run some of those issues because it's important to people.

I mean, not only the senators or delegates that was elected, but that's, But really, social issues are more important in rural areas.

I found out because that's, you know, that's where it's important to them.

You know, they, they, they don't want, you know, men in women's bathroom.

But, you know, I'm one of them don't want to in sports.

You know, this common sense stuff that they, they believe in, it is just common sense stuff.

But, you know, the world is changing.

And, you know, there's important there's, issues are important.

Constituents.

Well, you know, who elected to represent us as their constituents.

Right?

And if you don't address those issues for your constituents, then they will like somebody that will address what they feel important.

You know, what's important to you may not be important to me.

What's important to me may not be important to you.

So it's a it's a balance.

Thank you, sir.

I appreciate your time.

Randy Smith speaking with Eric Douglas for the legislature today.

That's it for tonight.

Thank you for joining us.

Catch the legislature today, Fridays at 6 p.m.. And remember, West Virginia Public Broadcasting covers the session.

In our daily radio news program, West Virginia Morning and on our news site at wvpublic.org.

West Virginia Public Broadcasting also has a new podcast of all of our radio stories throughout the week, called The Legislature This Week.

It drops at 5 a.m.Saturday mornings so you can listen with your Saturday morning coffee.

We also broadcast the daily floor sessions of both the House and Senate on the West Virginia Channel.

I'm Randy Yohe.

Good evening, and we'll see you here again next week.

Support for The Legislature Today is provided by... West Virginia University.

Serving our state with pride, impact, and purpose through education, health care, and discovery.

Let's go!

visit wvu.edu.