Legislative update for the week ending Feb. 26, 2021
If week two of the session did not present enough difficult votes (there were several that I struggled with and had to think on and pray over), week three was no different. Last week’s update focused on something near and dear to my heart — education.
Therefore, this week I will address other legislation aimed at economic development, stopping the hemorrhaging of our population and creating more jobs in the Mountain State. Just know that I have not met even one delegate on either side of the aisle who desires to harm public education or stifle business. All of us sincerely desire to make them both better but may have differing plans on how to get there. Of course, there are a few who I have heard say “don’t change anything, just give us more funding” with regard to public education and “corporations are taking advantage of the little man” one too many times.
In fact, it oftentimes begins to sound like fingernails scratching across a chalkboard at times each time I hear them talk. But I nevertheless listen and later politely agree to disagree on some things.
On economic development: There were several house bills sent to the Senate that were aimed at removing some of the cumbersome anchors around the necks of our state’s employers. While many politicians desire to continue tightening the screws on those who would provide much-needed jobs to our graduates and transplants from other states, the GOP Caucus is acknowledging that we need less, not more, regulation on Mountain State businesses. Therefore, we have moved swiftly to do what should have been done decades ago but for whatever reason was never done.
H.B. 2014: Removing the requirement of continuing education for barbers and cosmetologists. If fully passed into law, it would lessen the burden on these employers to remain in business. This is especially needed as many of these businesses, unfortunately, took a big hit due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Whether the COVID closures or this decades-long unfunded mandate were even necessary to begin with are still up for debate but at least this will provide a little relief to these struggling businesses. I support this bill.
H.B. 2004: Permits a licensed health care professional from another state to practice in this state via telehealth after first becoming registered with the appropriate W.Va. board. If passed, this law will make it much easier for patients who are afraid of pathogens (such as COVID), or who have difficulties traveling to doctor appointments in other states. This bill is aimed at beefing up patient rights and creating easier access to healthcare by removing current obstacles for both doctors and their patients. I support this bill.
H.B. 2007: Provides for occupational licenses or other authorization to practice by recognition of qualified applicants from other states. If passed into law, this bill will make it more attractive to out-of-state employers to establish a footprint inside of West Virginia. This is yet another GOP initiative designed to bring more employers into our state as they flee other states ruined by haphazard voting habits in search of new opportunities and a more friendly business climate. I support this bill.
H.B. 2500: Creates an act for statewide uniformity for auxiliary container regulations. If passed, this bill will protect businesses who use a plethora of food packaging or containment materials from anti-manufacturing/anti-business assaults that subsequently stifle business growth. One such example which has been discussed — believe it or not — right here in W.Va., is California’s ban on the use of plastic straws. Many of my constituents tend to think like me: let the free market hash it out, not emotionally charged knee-jerk decisions that devastate both employers and employees. This can be categorized as another “job-saving” initiative. I support this bill.
H.B. 2008: Reduces many unnecessary licensing requirements and previous mandates for the number of years of experience and/or lengths of apprenticeship. If passed, this bill would also serve to provide additional opportunities for individuals to strike out on their own and start their own businesses here in the Mountain State. This is yet another cost-neutral bill (would not cost the taxpayers a penny) that is aimed at increasing job growth in West Virginia. I support this bill.
On the balance of power:
H.B. 2003: Relating to the authority and obligations of the executive branch (governor) and the legislative branch (house of delegates and state senate) during declared states of preparedness and emergencies. If passed into law, this bill would ensure that the powers afforded the governor are of limited duration during a man-made or natural catastrophe. It would mandate that a sitting governor would have to call a special session of the legislature after a designated number of days (a maximum of 60 days) in order to discuss and debate the circumstances. I support this bill as it would ensure that a state of emergency does not go on indefinitely without input from state lawmakers.
H.B. 2015: Requiring rules of local boards of health to be approved by the county commission except in cases of a public health emergency. If passed, this bill will hold elected officials responsible for the oversight of their local, non-elected health officials. The intent of this bill is to ensure that the public (read the taxpayers and voters) have recourse for any health department dictates, which, if enforced by the county, would happen to bring unnecessary damage to their lives or livelihoods. I support this bill as it gives power back to “we the people” via the election process and limits the power of unelected officials.
There is a plethora of other legislation that is winding its way through the process and I am honored to be a part of it. To date, I have either sponsored or co-sponsored 24 bills that will have a positive impact on our wonderful state and citizens.
Noteworthy are bills that would require a valid I.D. card to vote, provide some reforms for child placement services, the placement of military veterans within VA medical foster homes, restricting the performance of abortions and acquiring, receiving, or transferring fetal body parts, reducing some obstacles and restrictions on one’s ability to operate a home-based business, and requiring all athletes to participate in gender-segregated sports based on the sex of which they were born.
Additionally, I am sponsoring a soon to be introduced bill that involves a woman’s right to know about an abortion pill reversal option. If this bill passes and even one yet-to-be-born baby is spared an unnecessary death via infanticide, I will sleep well at night for years to come. More to follow on these and more. Stay tuned!
Follow the action and track the bills at www.wvlegislature.gov.
Todd Longanacre
Delegate, 42nd District, WV House
todd.longanacre@wvhouse.gov
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