WV Interim Committees Begin Studies

West Virginia Interim Committee:

Farmers Markets in West Virginia have a long history of providing nutritious fresh vegetables and other items. while providing additional income to gardeners and farmers throughout our senatorial district. Delegate Sam Argento and myself are co-chairs exploring the economic impact, state support, federal programs, and ways to enhance the age-old system of getting home grown items from the field to the market.

Farmers markets have been around since mankind began agriculture. The organized system of farmers markets have been recognized and continues today in common law. Farmers markets traditionally are not taxed, nor do they collect taxes on the sale of their vegetables, produce, etc. You can find them in most communities and every county in our state.

The federal government has established a $20 coupon program for eligible senior citizens to purchase the fresh produce from local farmers markets. You can find out if you are eligible and if these limited coupons are still available by contacting your local senior citizen program in your county.

The Legislative Oversight Committee on Corrections and Regional Jails was presented with the governor's report on prison overpopulation. The report confirmed the growing prizon population in West Virginia and the lack of available bedspace to accomodate them. Briefly, some of the recommendations include building a new medium security prison, adding beds to existing facilities, better drug treatment/rehabilitation, re-examining sentencing guidelines, promoting community corrections, and other legislative actions needed to occur to avoid the courts from imposing a solution.

As chairman of this committee, we will be looking closely at the recommendations and offering solutions to the Legislature in the 2010 Regular Session.

The finance sub-committee C is looking at the WV State Police situation in the state. Included in this is compensation for overtime, response time in rural communities, coordination between the state police and local law enforcement agenices, along with protecting the public safety of all West Virginians.


More on Health Insurance Reform:

With health care reform estimated to cost around $1 trillion over the next 10 years, the means must now be found to pay the bill. A recent report by Citizens for Tax Justice highlighted three proposals that would raise the needed revenue without burdening working families already struggling to make ends meet. Read a summary of the proposals and what they would mean for West Virginians.

West Virginia Center for Budget and Policy summary: http://www.wvpolicy.org/downloads/HealthcareFinancing072009.pdf


August Interim Schedule

The West Virginia Legislature will meet on August 10, 11, and 12 in Charleston. The following links will allow you to access the schedule, including day and times of the meetings:

General Schedule:
http://www.legis.state.wv.us/committees/interims/interims.cfm

Individual Schedules:
http://www.legis.state.wv.us/committees/interims/mother.cfm