Death penality fails in House
March 17, 2009 ·
A Republican delegate failed in his back-door attempt to pass the death penalty in West Virginia.
Now serving his 25th successive year in the House, Delegate John Overington, R-Berkeley, is the ranking member in seniority and is on the Rules Committee. He’s been an advocate of returning the death penalty in this state for nearly as long.
Overington also serves on the House Judiciary Committee. Delegate Carrie Webster, D-Kanawha, who chairs that committee, is outraged Overington didn’t offer his amendment to insert capital punishment into one of these two bills during committee deliberations instead of blindsiding her on the floor.
Overington said he made his motion in the Rules Committee again today to force a floor vote by all 100 House members. He can’t understand why his motion was defeated again.
Webster argues such a significant issue needs to be fully considered in committee, and clearly she’s offended by Overington’s tactics.
Another contentious item is legislation to allow teachers and other school personnel more time to buy back into the old defined benefit pension program.
The Finance Committee plans a public hearing Thursday, March 19 at 4 p.m. in the House chamber.
Speaker Richard Thompson of Wayne County knows there is widespread concern.
One of a dozen bills introduced in the House today is another attempt to control the time children spend on school buses each day. Wyoming County Delegate Linda Phillips, a school counselor, is one of the sponsors.
House members passed nine bills Monday including one to provide funds for developing low-income minority neighborhoods. All now go to the Senate.