— CHARLESTON (AP) — Measures offering ultrasound images to women seeking abortions and creating a single agency to manage the state’s vehicle fleet were among those sent to Gov. Joe Manchin on Saturday as West Virginia’s Legislature wound down its regular session.
With the economy still weak from the recession, lawmakers and Manchin both worked from hemmed-in agendas during the 60 day session. The Senate and House of Delegates will spend another week completing a state spending plan for the budget year that begins July 1.
Versions of the budget bill they exchanged in advance of the extended session outlined $11.6 billion in spending backed by general tax revenues, lottery proceeds and federal funds, among other sources. Aided by stimulus dollars and a lottery surplus, lawmakers expect to balance the final budget with limited cuts.
Manchin has also not ruled out a special session, perhaps for mid-May, to ensure the state qualifies for the next round of Race to the Top federal education grants. Lawmakers may then try to tackle the nearly $8 billion funding shortfall stemming from non-pension retiree benefits promised public employees.
The Legislature has sent nearly 150 bills to the governor during the regular session, with more than one-third receiving final approval Saturday. Differences over nine measures required joint conference committees to attempt compromises. They included Manchin’s proposal to speed up parole for low-risk, nonviolent offenders, and a much-debated bid to expand the range of practice for optometrists.
The ultrasound bill was another a high-profile item. It won final approval after a unanimous Senate agreed to the scaled-back version passed 80-17 Friday. As amended, it would inform women seeking abortions, in writing, that they may view an ultrasound image beforehand if they wish. Delegates also removed criminal penalties for doctors who fail to provide certain types of information required by with the Women’s Right to Know Act.
The governor had requested the vehicle agency bill, as well as another passed Saturday that formalizes his practice of having committees recommend nominees for judicial vacancies.
But Manchin’s proposal to ease business taxes through a constitutional amendment foundered in the Senate during the session’s final hours Saturday. Senate Judiciary Chairman Jeff Kessler had the agenda-setting Senate Rules Committee remove the measure from Saturday’s active calendar, denying it a chance for a full Senate vote. The House had approved it 95-1 last month.
The Marshall County Democrat cited weak or mixed interest from business, labor and counties. Support from the latter likely waned Friday, when the Senate Finance Committee amended the measure to cut them out of deciding whether and how to adopt the proposed property tax exemptions on business inventory and equipment.
