Gov. Manchin sees W.Va. enduring recession, seeks to better schools, anti-crime efforts

W.Va. gov puts schools, courts on tight agenda

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Limited by recession-weakened revenues, Gov. Joe Manchin launched a legislative agenda Wednesday he said would improve education, public safety and the business climate in West Virginia while keeping government finances stable.

Manchin’s sixth State of the State address since taking office also included one proposal to ease business property taxes. Another would offer public funds to 2012’s state Supreme Court candidates.

Addressing a House of Delegates chamber packed with state officials and guests, the governor renewed last year’s call for changes to the public school calendar. He asked lawmakers to help him centralize the state’s vehicle fleet, and for all West Virginians to take part in this year’s Census.

The Mountain State lost more than 21,000 jobs last year, administration officials estimate, and the recession has also prompted cuts to general revenue spending. Manchin cited signs that his policies have helped weather the storm.

Aided by fellow Democrats and their legislative majorities, the governor has favored bulking up reserves over starting or expanding programs. The Legislature expects to balance the new budget without the tax hikes or employee layoffs forced elsewhere.

“Our welcome centers and rest stops have stayed open, our state offices have normal operating hours, our social services continue and we are paying our bills on time,” the governor said to applause. “When I look at West Virginia, I see a state of responsible financial planning, not a state of economic turmoil.”

But Republican lawmakers advocate aggressive tax cuts and greatly reduced spending, arguing that taxpayers need the money more. While supportive of some of the proposals, House Minority Leader Tim Armstead said he heard rosy optimism rather than a blueprint for the future.

“We’re going to have to go beyond what was outlined in tonight’s speech if we’re going to move our economy forward and put more West Virginians back to work,” said Armstead, R-Kanawha.

Given the tough economic times, Senate President Earl Ray Tomblin said it’s no surprise Manchin’s speech was short on new or surprising proposals.

“It’s an election year, it’s his second term and without a whole lot of money, there’s not much reason to crow,” the Logan County Democrat said.

Manchin also celebrated the multimillion-dollar investment by the Boy Scouts of America in the new Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve at the New River Gorge.

Manchin earned repeated applause for his praise of coal’s role in the state’s fortunes. He invoked his administration’s recent efforts to improve mine safety and rescue resources, and decried those who “want to villainize this resource.” The governor has been at odds with the Obama administration over cap-and-trade climate legislation and renewed scrutiny of the permitting process.

The governor wants lawmakers to increase spending on prison space, while expanding parole options for nonviolent offenders convicted of crimes not involving children. He called for doubling the six-trooper Crimes Against Children Unit. Arguing that vacant and rundown properties can harbor illegal activity, Manchin also said cities should be allowed to collect fees from absentee owners.

To improve education, Manchin proposed more flexible borrowing by the School Building Authority. He asked West Virginia’s technical and four-year colleges and universities to freeze tuition rates for the coming year. He also set a goal of winning “Race to the Top” education funding offered by the federal stimulus.

If the state fails to secure some of that $5 billion in the first round, Manchin vowed to pull the Legislature into special session later this year to make any necessary changes. Cities could also place liens on fire insurance proceeds from destroyed buildings under a related proposal.

The governor thanked one special guest, actress and Charleston native Jennifer Garner. He pledged $1 million to the Save the Children group she has championed, for its work in the state’s rural counties.

The property tax change would require voters to amend the state constitution. While aiming to lower rates on commercial and industrial inventory property, Manchin’s proposal would also weigh the resulting impact on county revenues.

The court-related measures emerge from the recent study Manchin commissioned to assess the state’s judicial system. Besides a public financing pilot project, Manchin adopted its call for a committee to recommend appointees for future judicial vacancies.

Manchin also announced that the state Supreme Court will propose changes to its policies meant to “ensure there will be full appellate review by the Court of all final decisions on the merits issued by the circuit courts.” Such has been a sticking point with business groups and others.