Sean Hornbuckle Story Archives - West Virginia Public Broadcasting

A Look Back At The First Days Of The 2024 Session

On this episode of The Legislature Today, we have a retrospective show as we end the week.

On this episode of The Legislature Today, we have a retrospective show as we end the week. We started our coverage with Gov. Jim Justice’s State of the State address, and we spoke with Minority Leader Del. Sean Hornbuckle, D-Cabell, and Sen. Mike Caputo, D-Marion, for the minority response.

On Monday, we spoke with House Speaker Roger Hanshaw, R-Clay, on some of his expectations for the 2024 general session.

On Tuesday, WVPB News Director Eric Douglas spoke with Senate President Craig Blair, R-Berkeley, about his vision and goals for the 2024 session.

And, during the summer and fall, the House of Delegates chamber was completely renovated for only the second time since the Capitol was dedicated in 1932. The chamber was aesthetically and technically refurbished while maintaining its historic luster.

Finally, one of our new features on The Legislature Today this year is the addition of two high school journalists to help our younger audience better understand how government works. This week, they examine how the West Virginia Legislature is comprised and the initial process of a bill becoming a law.

Having trouble viewing the video below? Click here to watch it on YouTube.

The Legislature Today is West Virginia’s only television/radio simulcast devoted to covering the state’s 60-day regular legislative session.

Watch or listen to new episodes Monday through Friday at 6 p.m. on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

WVPB’s ‘The Legislature Today’ Kicks Off And Chuck Prophet Has Our Song Of The Week, This West Virginia Morning

On this West Virginia Morning, Gov. Jim Justice delivered his State of the State address Wednesday evening and gave his 2025 budget proposal. In our first episode of The Legislature Today, our daily news show that covers the West Virginia Legislature, Statehouse Reporter Randy Yohe spoke with Sen. Mike Caputo, D-Marion, and House Minority Leader Sean Hornbuckle, D-Cabell, to get their response.

On this West Virginia Morning, Gov. Jim Justice delivered his State of the State address Wednesday evening and gave his 2025 budget proposal. In our first episode of The Legislature Today, our daily news show that covers the West Virginia Legislature, Statehouse Reporter Randy Yohe spoke with Sen. Mike Caputo, D-Marion, and House Minority Leader Sean Hornbuckle, D-Cabell, to get their response.

Also, in this show, our Mountain Stage Song of the Week is “Willie Mays Is Up At Bat,” which comes from Chuck Prophet’s undeniably catchy 2012 album Temple Beautiful. This performance also marked Prophet’s tenth appearance on the show. To celebrate this momentous occasion, like all of our “tenth timers,” Prophet was awarded an official Mountain Stage jacket with “Chuck” stitched across the front pocket.

West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.

Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.

Our Appalachia Health News project is made possible with support from CAMC and Marshall Health.

West Virginia Morning is produced with help from Bill Lynch, Briana Heaney, Caroline MacGregor, Chris Schulz, Curtis Tate, Emily Rice, Eric Douglas, Liz McCormick, and Randy Yohe.

Eric Douglas is our news director and was our producer this week.

Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning

Minority Leaders Share Thoughts On Justice’s Final State Of The State

On this episode of The Legislature Today, the 2024 West Virginia Legislative session has kicked off. Chris Schulz brings us an overview of Gov. Jim Justice’s State of the State address, and Randy Yohe brings us the minority response. Yohe speaks with Minority Leader Del. Sean Hornbuckle, D-Cabell, and Sen. Mike Caputo, D-Marion.

On this episode of The Legislature Today, the 2024 West Virginia Legislative session has kicked off. Chris Schulz brings us an overview of Gov. Jim Justice’s State of the State address, and Randy Yohe brings us the minority response. Yohe speaks with Minority Leader Del. Sean Hornbuckle, D-Cabell, and Sen. Mike Caputo, D-Marion.

Also, we recap the action from the first two days. Between the two chambers, there were nearly 1,000 bills introduced. Briana Heaney gives us an overview of Senate action.

We also hear about nine delegates who left the House since last session along with honors for a long-time staff member who passed away recently, and the legislature recognized the longest serving woman and Republican in the Senate.

And, Curtis Tate tells us about a report presented to both chambers on the economic outlook for the state.

Having trouble viewing the video below? Click here to watch it on YouTube.

The Legislature Today is West Virginia’s only television/radio simulcast devoted to covering the state’s 60-day regular legislative session.

Watch or listen to new episodes Monday through Friday at 6 p.m. on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

Literacy Program Unintentionally Pulling Resources From Special Education

As a side-effect of legislation passed earlier this year, 41 percent of special education aides in the state have moved into first grade literacy aide positions.

State Superintendent Michele Blatt told legislators during Monday’s meeting of the Legislative Oversight Commission on Educational Accountability that the shift is an unintended consequence of House Bill 3035.

The Third Grade Success Act is meant to address literacy and numeracy in early education by bringing more aides and specialists into first, second and third grade classrooms across the state. Implementation has begun this fall in first grade classrooms, with second and third grades to follow in the coming years.

Blatt said the data is based on a survey of 48 counties, and represents some 249 aides that have transferred out of special education.

Sen. Amy Grady, R-Mason, said legislation often creates unforeseen issues, but keeping special education aides needs to be addressed.

“We need to find a way that we can entice them to stay in those harder positions,” Grady said.

Del. Sean Hornbuckle, D-Cabell, asked how the special education aides were being replaced.

“Many of them have been replaced with people, new positions, people trying to get into the system,” Blatt said. “We can follow up and see how many of those are actually still shortages, but I do know, we still have some shortages and some day to day subs in those classrooms.”

Skaff Steps Down As House Minority Leader, Hornbuckle To Take On Role

Democrat Doug Skaff of Kanawha County is stepping down as Minority Leader in the West Virginia House of Delegates. Del. Sean Hornbuckle, D-Cabell, the current Minority Leader Pro Temp, will become the new Minority Leader.

Democrat Doug Skaff of Kanawha County is stepping down as Minority Leader in the West Virginia House of Delegates.

Skaff will leave his post following the conclusion of next week’s legislative interim meetings, according to a news release from House Democrats.

Skaff was first named Minority Leader in December 2020, after former-Minority Leader Tim Miley did not seek reelection.

Skaff said he plans on using the extra time to focus more energy on his businesses and coaching his three sons at soccer.

“I have enjoyed working with Republican Speaker of the House Roger Hanshaw to deliver common sense solutions for the people of West Virginia,” Skaff said in a statement. “In my role as Minority Leader, I worked with Speaker Hanshaw to focus on attracting businesses to our state and creating jobs here as we traveled the country to encourage companies and major corporations to Choose WV.”

Del. Sean Hornbuckle, D-Cabell, the current Minority Leader Pro Temp, will become the new Minority Leader. Skaff said Hornbuckle is a “strong leader, delegate and friend — I know that he will lead the caucus well.”

House Minority Leader Pro Temp Sean Hornbuckle, D-Cabell.

*Credit: Perry Bennett/WV Legislative Photography*

Hornbuckle will be the first Black floor leader in modern record keeping for the state House of Delegates, according to Deputy Chief of Staff and Communications Director of the House Ann Ali.

West Virginia Senate Minority Leader Mike Woelfel, D-Cabell, issued a statement following the announcement. Woelfel wished Skaff well and spoke highly of Hornbuckle’s appointment.

“I can think of no better incoming Leader than Delegate Sean Hornbuckle. I have known Delegate Hornbuckle for many years,” Woelfel said. “He is a pillar in our community and a man of integrity. Sean’s acumen, character, and work ethic are superb. He is bold in action but also pragmatic. His service on behalf of the citizens of Cabell County absolutely merits his elevation to this leadership position.”