Legislature’s Opening Day Wednesday

Wednesday, Jan. 8 is West Virginia’s Opening Day of the 87th Legislature.

Both chambers of the legislature will gavel in at noon and formally elect their leadership for the session. Since West Virginia elected a new governor this year, the state constitution delays the actual first day of the legislative session until Feb. 12, with the session running for 60 days through April 12.

The House of Delegates is expected to re-elect House Speaker Roger Hanshaw, R-Clay. Hanshaw announced new Republican leadership in a statement Tuesday afternoon, including the introduction of House subcommittees.

“We’ve seen that the low-hanging fruits, such as the elimination of the food tax and creation of an Intermediate Court of Appeals, have already been picked after 10 years of a Republican majority,” Hanshaw said. “What’s left are the complex, complicated issues that will require a different approach to lawmaking.”

The Senate is expected to elect Sen. Randy Smith, R-Tucker to be the new Senate President. The Senate Republican caucus nominated Smith in December. Outgoing Senate President Craig Blair, R-Berkeley, lost his primary election last spring.

At Gov.-elect Patrick Morrisey’s press conference last week, he said his team was ready to use the additional time.

“I think that the founders were very wise to provide a new governor with that extra month when he comes in, to be able to work with the legislature to develop an agenda,” Morrisey said. “I think that’s a brilliant part of the structure, and so we’re going to take full advantage of that.”

Gov. Jim Justice will address a joint session with a “farewell address” in the House chamber at 1:30 p.m. and via live stream.

Morrisey will be inaugurated Monday, January 13.