Understandably, much of the discussion regarding the 2003 regular legislative session surrounds the Workers Compensation fund and what the Legislature and Gov. Bob Wise will do since negotiations broke down and the legislation died in the Senate during the session's final minutes. Something has to be done to shore up the fund, which we recently discovered will need $1.3 billion more than previously thought over the next five years just to keep it afloat. Considering the fund is headed toward bankruptcy, it looks like the Governor may have to convene a special session.
Meanwhile, Legislative leaders and Gov. Wise plan to appoint a working group to develop a Workers Compensation bill. The group will be using newly acquired facts and figures, and I believe will be successful, in large part because the members will be able to make the complex issue their entire focus, and because it will be a bipartisan effort.
While I and my colleagues are frustrated that a solution for Workers Comp has not yet been found, I hope that the Legislature's other accomplishments this session will not be overshadowed. For instance:
* A sweeping medical malpractice bill carries the hope that doctors will be able to cope with rising insurance costs in the short term, and that insurance costs will eventually lower once West Virginia's legal climate improves.
* Coal truck weight legislation will better regulate the operation of the vehicles, and allow for greater weights to be legally carried in areas where the coal industry plays an essential economic role. I was pleased that I was able to withdraw Summers County from the group of counties where higher truck weights will be permitted to travel.
* A higher education reform bill will reorganize the system to save money, move half of Glenville College's community education component to Fairmont State College, and transfer the other half to a new New River Community and Technical College under the jurisdiction of Bluefield State College. Potomac State will become a branch of West Virginia University.
* To help address a Medicaid shortfall of more than $200 million, the Legislature will increase the tax on tobacco from 17 cents a pack to 55 cents. While keeping the state's insurance program for the poor is essential, it's my hope that by increasing the price of cigarettes, we'll deter some young people from continuing, or maybe ever even starting, the unhealthy smoking habit.
* But I'm particularly proud of the passage of a House bill I sponsored that will establish an "Amber Alert" system to disseminate information regarding abducted children. Law enforcement experts maintain that public alerts can be one of the most effective tools in combating child abductions. Considering the recent positive news about the return of Utah teenager Elizabeth Smart, now is the time to ensure that West Virginia is prepared to conduct such a national search in the event of an abduction.
Based on the premise that the most effective means of immediately notifying the public of an abduction is through the broadcast media, the legislation authorizes the broadcast media, upon notice from the State Police, to transmit an emergency alert to inform the public of a child abduction. The program will be a voluntary, cooperative effort.
As noted in the legislation, professionals specializing in tracking abducted children agree that the most critical moments in the search are the first few hours following the abduction. "The rapid dissemination of information, including a description of the abducted child, details of the abduction, abductor and vehicle involved, to the citizens of the affected community and region, is therefore critical," the bill states.
I welcome and appreciate your input on these issues, or any other legislative matter. Please call me at (304)340-3106 or write to Delegate Virginia Mahan, 215-E, Capitol Complex, Charleston, WV 25305.