CHARLESTON, WV (LOOTPRESS) – An update from Governor Jim Justice’s team emerged on Friday regarding the Special Session cancellation announced on Thursday.
The cancellation follows what for many came as an unexpected announcement from Governor Justice earlier in the week that he would be calling members of the West Virginia Legislature into Special Session this weekend.
While many individuals across the state offered up potential reasons for the unanticipated session, the rationale behind the Governor’s decision has remained unclear throughout the week.
House of Delegates member and Raleigh County representative, Eric Brooks stated that the session would pertain to an unspecified energy bill. Some, including Delegate Brooks, have questioned the necessity of a Special Session in addressing the bill, positing that the issue lacks the urgency and emergent nature of an issue warranting of a taxpayer-funded reassembly of the Legislature.
“Whatever the original reason, the bill we were sent by the Governor is something we can take up and run through the normal processes come February if we choose to do so,” said Delegate Brooks on Thursday. “It needs to be discussed and scrutinized by the members of both chambers.”
On Friday evening, a statement was shared by Governor Justice’s Chief of Staff, Brian Abraham regarding the Special Session cancellation and previously existing plans for the session in question.
“A few weeks ago, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity presented itself. A major company that currently does business in West Virginia, together with one of our utility companies and leadership from both the House and Senate, approached us with a proposal to change one section of Code to enable the investment of tens of billions of dollars – without any request for public funds – in Southern West Virginia,” said Abraham, who appeared to lend credence to Delegate Brooks’ assertion that the addressing of the issue could reasonably be postponed until Regular Session in February.
“A Special Session would have given the parties an opportunity to demonstrate and educate to the members of the Legislature how this would have benefitted our coal industry as well as created opportunities that were previously not available in our state. However, it became apparent that it would be better to wait until the Regular Session to give more opportunity to assure there’s no negative impact on coal jobs.”
While little detail was provided with regard to the contents of the bill in question, Abraham expressed a strong desire for mem bers of the Legislature to go forward with the bill in the coming months.
“We pray that people will continue to work hard and bring this project to Southern West Virginia. We truly hope there’s a viable way forward,” he said. “Governor Justice will always believe Southern West Virginia deserves every chance it can get, because the people there are worth it.”
