“The first thing, you know,
we have to deal with the $7.8 billion OPEB debt, other post-employment benefits.
We’ll discuss that quite a bit,” Chafin said. “And it will be a financial issue
session, I think. The governor has proposed 5 percent budget cuts. I think we’re
all on-board with that, because it’s better to do the cutting than have to lay
people off.
“We’ve been very responsible
in our planning, financially. As you know, we haven’t had to raise taxes in
several years and we’ve even given some pretty modest pay raises, so we’re pretty
pleased about that.”
Though the bottom line will
be a big concern this session, Chafin says he’d like to see length-of-service
compensation for volunteer fire fighters. A similar bill passed the Senate last year, but died in the House.
“The volunteer fire
departments will be on the front burner again, at least on my personal agenda,
to try to help firefighters get length-of-service pay because we’re having
trouble with recruitment and retention,” he said. “As you know, during the
recent power outage, we had quite a bit of demand that the volunteer fire
departments to do everything from feeding people to keeping them warm, so thank
God for our volunteer fire departments.”
As always, something
coal-related will be on the agenda. Chafin says the Senate will probably call
on West Virginia’s delegation in Washington to pressure the federal Environmental Protection Agency to release the mountaintop removal permits it’s scrutinizing.
“Coal-to liquids is a big
issue. The Mingo County plant, where I live, had the latest hearing, and we
have to find ways to support the coal industry—the governor alluded to that in
his State-of-the-State.
“Look for any measures we can
to support the coal industry, the permitting process, and try to take on the
EPA for their unilateral attack on the coal industry.”
Other issues that could come
up include an investigation into the West Virginia Turnpike’s handling of
December’s storm that left some drivers stranded for 20 hours, and the local
effects of the health care bill poised to pass in Washington.
But the state’s lack of extra
money could make for a session focused on cost-cutting measures.
“I look for a belt-tightening,
financial session,” Chafin said. “Election year, not too many controversial
matters, but they have a way of popping up.”
Chafin says the Senate
Democrats have already caucused informally about these issues, and they plan to
caucus again this week or next.