The New Clay Center Is a Source of Pride

The New Clay Center Is a Source of Pride

Members of the Legislature were recently treated to a tour of the newly opened Clay Center in Charleston. This magnificent project includes a full theater where patrons may be entertained by the likes of the West Virginia Symphony and a variety of other musicians. Also housed in the Clay Center is the Avampato Discovery Museum where young and old alike will find interactive exhibits that will both educate and entertain. Fans of the old Sunrise Museum will find much to enjoy in this section.

The Clay Center also houses the unique ElectricSky Theater which features large format productions such as "The Living Sea" and a planetarium program titled "Oasis in Space." We now have the opportunity to experience a surround screen production within a day's driving distance.

For art lovers, I recommend a visit to the Center's extensive gallery where a broad variety of world class art is currently on exhibit. There is also a well-stocked gift shop whose shelves are lined with exquisite West Virginia glass and other items.

The Clay Center is an architectural masterpiece. A concerted effort was made not only to use West Virginia products in the construction, but to use them beautifully. Artisans have produced a jewel in our State's capital city.

Residents around the state will want to see the latest attraction to West Virginia. There is something for everyone and something for which all West Virginians can be proud. It is a welcome addition to our heritage and culture. To learn more about the Clay Center, visit their web site at www.theclaycenter.org.

The tour was incorporated into the Legislature’s monthly interim meetings in Charleston. As we pass the halfway point to the 2004 legislative session, committees are gathering more and more information and preparing to draft legislation. The following are some highlights.

* Once again, the state budget was the focus of much concern. In particular, some legislators are questioning whether proposed significant cuts to higher education – for the second year in a row – are appropriate. Gov. Bob Wise’s administration has proposed that the Higher Education Policy Commission develop a budget for the 2004-2005 fiscal year that is $34 million less than its current budget. Last session, about $37 million was cut out of the higher education budget.

* Although the Legislature just enacted significant changes to the Workers Compensation system intended to bring financial stability, it may take a few years before we see positive results. Workers Compensation Division Director Greg Burton told an interim committee that the agency projects a $243 million deficit this fiscal year. A $225 million allocation the Legislature recently approved will help keep the fund solvent, and Burton urged legislators to remain patient. He said the agency could save as much as $60 million a year from administrative reforms alone, and the many other revisions should eventually get the program on the right track.

* A representative of the Council for Community and Economic Development spoke before the Joint Commission on Economic Development, advocating the repeal of the corporate license tax. The tax ranges from $20 to $4,000 per company, based on a business’ corporate stock holdings. He estimated that the state probably spends close to the $4.8 million the tax earns just to prepare and process the tax forms, so he suggested that elimination of the tax would not cost the state.

* A special interim committee directed to study the possible regulation of the state’s water sources heard from environmental expert Larry Morandi of the National Conference of State Legislatures. Because West Virginia has an ample water supply, our laws are broad and allow people or businesses to extract “reasonable” amounts of water. But Morandi said other states that have smaller waters supplies have in place tough restrictions, and many others are considering adopting some. He said if water becomes a valuable commodity, West Virginia could run the risk of allowing corporations or other states to deplete its water supply. At the same time, some members of the agriculture industry are concerned that the state may become overly restrictive.

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.