Business, Government Legal News from throughout WVTomblin Legislative Aid Says Marcellus Session in December

Legislators attending the West Virginia Business and Industry Council's legislative luncheon Tuesday were warned to keep the middle of December open.

Jason Pizatella, director of government legislative affairs for Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin, addressed the group and said the governor's office is still meeting with industry representatives, the Department of Environmental Protection and other stakeholders. Those discussions will determine what parts of the November interim bill to establish regulations for horizontal drilling can be agreed on and what may still need changed.

"The final piece of the puzzle (West Virginia Development Office Executive Director) Keith Burdette told us they need is regulatory certainty," Pizatella said. "I would bet all the money I have in my pocket that you'll see a special session in a few weeks."

When a member of the Legislature asked Pizatella when to plan for a special session to address Marcellus shale regulations, Pizatella said legislators should mark off Dec. 11 to 17.

Pizatella said this has been an historic year with many changes, but the same Tomblin everyone has grown accustomed to in the Legislature will occupy the Governor's Mansion.

Pizatella said Tomblin's legislative agenda was still getting set, but said the budget is always a big concern.

"You know he hates when West Virginia is outside the mainstream or uncompetitive," Pizatella said. "Earl Ray will not sign any legislation that puts us out of step with other states."

Pizatella said he thought this would be the year the state's unfunded Other Post Employment Benefit or OPEB hole was filled, and he said the state is always looking for ways to invest in infrastructure, especially since the federal government will not be able to provide a handout.

Pizatella said other issues Tomblin supports are coal mine safety, relief on the state's inventory tax, and establishing an intermediary court of appeals.

WV BIC Chairwoman Jan Vineyard said the Council hopes to build on the responsible government West Virginia has built over the past few years, and the WV BIC agenda is similar to Tomblin's agenda.