West Virginia Senate
West Virginia Senate | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | |
| Type | |
| Leadership | |
President of the Senate | |
President pro Tempore | |
Majority Leader | |
Minority Leader | Mike Hall (R) since 2010 |
| Structure | |
| Seats | 34 |
Political groups | Democratic Party Republican Party |
| Elections | |
Last election | November 4, 2008 |
| Meeting place | |
 | |
| Senate Chamber, West Virginia State Capitol, Charleston, West Virginia, U.S. | |
| Website | |
| official website | |
The West Virginia Senate is the upper house of the West Virginia Legislature. There are 17 senatorial districts. Each district has two senators who serve staggered four-year terms. The body is generally considered more conservative than the West Virginia House of Delegates.
The state's districting system is unique in the United States. The state's most populous county, Kanawha County constitutes two "superimposed" districts. In practical effect, this means that Kanawha County is a single district electing two members every two years. The remaining 54 counties of the state are divided into fifteen districts, with county lines not respected in most cases.[1] Under the unique rule, no district may have more than one senator from the same county[2], no matter the population. This means, for example, that one of the 5th District's two senators must reside in Cabell County and the other must reside in the tiny portion of Wayne County that's inside the 5th District, even though Cabell County has more people than the portion of Wayne County that is part of the 5th District. However, both senators are elected by everybody within the district, not just by the people of the county in which the senators reside.
Senate President
The Senate elects its own president from its membership. As of the 79th West Virginia Senate, Earl Ray Tomblin is Senate President.
While the West Virginia Constitution does not create or even mention the title of lieutenant governor, West Virginia Code 6A-1-4 creates this designation for the Senate President. The Senate President is first in the line of succession to the office of governor. As stated in the constitution: "In case of the death, conviction or impeachment, failure to qualify, resignation, or other disability of the governor, the president of the Senate shall act as governor until the vacancy is filled, or the disability removed." However, the Senate President may not always serve the remainder of the term as the constitution also states: "Whenever a vacancy shall occur in the office of governor before the first three years of the term shall have expired, a new election for governor shall take place to fill the vacancy."
Currently, Tomblin is serving as governor following the resignation of Joe Manchin after his election to the United State Senate seat vacated by the death of Robert Byrd. Tomblin will remain Senate President, as it is that position that makes him Governor during the interim. Tomblin has stated, however, that he will not participate in legislative business, preside over the Senate or accept his Senate salary while serving as governor.[3] Ordinarily, President Pro Tempore Joe Minard would preside over the Senate and serve as de facto Senate President; however, proposed changes to Senate rules may result in the creation of an Acting Senate President.
Composition
2009-2011:
| Affiliation | Members | |
| Template:American politics/party colors/Democratic| | Democratic Party | 26 (76%) |
| Template:American politics/party colors/Republican| | Republican Party | 8 (24%) |
| Total |
34 | |
| Majority |
18 | |
Leadership of the 79th West Virginia Senate
| Position | Name | Party | District | County |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| President of the Senate/Governor | Earl Ray Tomblin | Democratic | 7 | Logan Co. |
| President Pro Tempore | Joseph M. Minard | Democratic | 12 | Harrison Co. |
| Majority Leader | H. Truman Chafin | Democratic | 6 | Mingo Co. |
| Minority Leader | Mike Hall | Republican | 4 | Putnam Co. |
| Majority Whip | Larry J. Edgell | Democratic | 2 | Wetzel Co. |
| Minority Whip | Clark S. Barnes | Republican | 15 | Randolph Co. |
Members
Committees
- Agriculture (11 members) - Randy White, Chairman
- Banking and Insurance (13 members) - Joseph M. Minard, Chairman
- Confirmations (9 members) - Ron Stollings, Chairman
- Economic Development (14 members) - Richard Browning, Chairman
- Education (14 members) - Robert H. Plymale, Chairman
- Energy, Industry and Mining (13 members) - Mike Green, Chairman
- Enrolled Bills (5 members) - Corey Palumbo, Chairman
- Finance (17 members) - Walt Helmick, Chairman
- Government Organization (14 members) - Edwin Bowman, Chairman
- Health and Human Resources (13 members) - Roman W. Prezioso, Jr., Chairman
- Interstate Cooperation (7 members) - Evan Jenkins, Chairman; (Senate President is ex-officio co-chairperson)
- Judiciary (17 members) - Jeffrey V. Kessler, Chairman
- Labor (11 members) - Michael Oliverio II, Chairman
- Military (9 members) - Erik Wells, Chairman
- Natural Resources (13 members) - John Pat Fanning, Chairman
- Pensions (7 members) - Dan Foster, Chairman
- Rules (10 members) - Earl Ray Tomblin, Ex-officio Chairman as Senate President
- Transportation and Infrastructure (9 members) - John Unger, Chairman
See also
References
- ^ "West Virginia Senate Districts". West Virginia Legislature. Retrieved 2008-09-07.
- ^ "West Virginia Constitution". West Virginia Legislature. Retrieved 2008-09-07.
- ^ Interim governor Earl Ray Tomblin introduces himself.
- ^ appointed May 25, 2010 to fill vacancy caused by the death of Senator Don Caruth who died May 1, 2010
External links
- West Virginia Legislature - official website
- Project Vote Smart - State Senate of West Virginia
