The 2009 Legislative Session continues to heat up in Charleston as representatives from around the state look for legislative reforms. As Majority Leader, I am at the forefront of many of these reforms for the state of West Virginia. Some current issues leave me looking for feedback from you, the people of the Sixth District.

A recently introduced bill making national news that would require West Virginians who receive welfare, food stamps, or unemployment to be subjected to random drug testing. There has been spirited debate about this issue, both on talk radio and on the House Floor. What say you?

There is lots of talk about the 180-day bill for schools this year. You can also keep on the lookout for the Senate Education Committee to pass a bill that has the first semester of school completed before Christmas. My Majority Whip, Senator Larry Edgell of Wetzell County, is heading the sub-committee writing the bill. He expects it to be reported to the Senate Floor very soon.

The current state tax on a pack of cigarettes is fifty-five cents, while federal tax raises it to $1.01 in April. Senator Dan Foster of Kanawha County, who is also a physician, wants to implement a substantial tax increase on cigarettes. This will be a hard fought bill as well. Let me hear from you on this one.

The 2009 Legislative Session has plenty of serious work pending, but we will always have some light-hearted diversions. The bill to ban Barbie dolls is quite possibly the worst so far, and was recently featured nationally in a stand-up comedy routine by Jay Leno. Another questionable proposal would let county courthouse politicians veto smoking rules, issued by county health boards, to save lives. That one probably doesn’t have much of a chance either. The Senate passed a bill to help cities and counties streamline local government by lowering the voter approval level to 50 percent. This will make it easier for localities to merge or consolidate services, saving a lot of taxpayer money.

The Manchin administration is planning to propose significant changes in the law that authorizes gambling at the Greenbrier Resort. The Governor believes this will help the financially troubled resort. If it can keep more revenue from gambling, especially to help pay employee benefits the resort would have less of a financial burden. The resort, which is owned by CSX Railroad, lost $35 million last year alone. They have also had a long labor dispute between the resort and the unions, which represents some 1,350 employees.

Once again, a bill has been introduced that would make not wearing a seatbelt a primary offense. Under current law, you are required to wear your seatbelt, but you can not be stopped for not wearing it. This is a very important bill and it is important for me to know your opinions.

More than a month remains in the 2009 regular session and it is always great to hear from my constituents. Please contact me at truman.chafin@wvsenate.gov or (304)357-7808. My secretaries, Lindsay Gardner or Kathy Hess are pleased to help you in any way.

Remember the words of our great President Harry S. Truman, “Work hard, do your best, trust in God, never get too big for your britches and never forget an old friend.”

With kindest regards,

Senate Majority Leader, H. Truman Chafin