To the behind-the-scenes pressures on lawmakers this week as theyredraw the state's political boundaries, add this: some members andstaff's work trips to Texas may be in danger if the speciallegislative session drags on.
Twelve House delegates and two senators and 16 legislativestaffers are approved to travel to San Antonio for the four-dayNational Conference of State Legislatures' annual summit, whichstarts Aug. 8.
But it's not clear if all of them will get to go if this week'sonce-in-a-decade redistricting session runs into next week.
Acting Senate President Jeff Kessler, D-Marshall, said it wouldbe hard to get work done without the nine staff the Senate issending.
"I can't imagine we could function without the major committeestaff, the attorneys," he said.
House Speaker Rick Thompson, D-Wayne, told delegates to be"mindful" that they may be needed back in West Virginia.
Last week, "the Speaker reminded each member approved to go tothe conference that while he regrets any changes the special sessionmay cause to travel plans, he urges them to be mindful of thecrucial role each member plays in representing what is best for hisor her district and the state," said House spokeswoman StaceyRuckle. "That message of the importance of the work of this specialsession was also conveyed to those staff members approved to go."
House Majority Leader Brent Boggs, D-Kanawha, said that hewouldn't consider going unless redistricting is complete, Rucklesaid.
There had been some talk of starting the redistricting session inmid-August to avoid any conflicts with the summit, but leadershipapparently decided against that. Lawmakers were already scheduled tobe in Charleston this week for regular interim work sessions.
It's unclear how much the trips will weigh on lawmakers' minds asthey attempt to use 2010 Census data to draw state House and Senateand U.S. House districts that are nearly equal in population.
The NSCL conference is a packed four-days of information forlawmakers and staff. Panels and workshops cover wide ranging topics,from states' interaction with the federal government to health carepolicy to using iPads in the Legislature. This week the WestVirginia Senate is expected to announce it will use iPads on thefloor, something some members are already doing.
Two West Virginia lawmakers are part of panel discussions at thesummit in San Antonio. Delegate John Doyle, D-Jefferson, is part ofa panel titled, "Online Sales Taxes: Can They Be Collected?"Delegate Meshea Poore, D-Kanawha, is part of one titled, "SocialMedia and Mobile Technologies: Legislative Game-Changers."
This year's trip is likely to be more expensive than last year's,if only because the 2010 NCSL summit was in Louisville and peoplewere able to drive.
But there are also more people going this year than last,according to information provided by Ruckle and assistant Senateclerk Rick Winnell.
Last year, the House sent seven delegates instead of 12 and theSenate sent one senator instead of two.
The delegates who went last year racked up at $5,900 in travelexpenses, according to state records.
The Senate is also sending nine staffers, up from five in 2010.Some staff who have been advanced travel money have already beengiven $7,600.
Kessler said it was imperative for staff to be sent to theconference.
"I think it's as important or more important for staff to receivetraining than the legislators, because they're the ones who actuallyhave to work at writing the legislation," Kessler said.
The House is sending seven staff members from its importantFinance Committee. It's not clear how many House staff went lastyear.
Besides the education events, lawmakers and staff may also be indanger of missing some social events, including a "private after-hours tour of old San Antonio" and a "Texas Dancehall Revue."
The NCSL's website prepares summit attendees for the dance eventby saying,"Grab your cowboy hat and get ready for a boot scootin'good time. The dancehall is a central part of Texas heritage, and wewill honor its legacy by creating one of the biggest dancehallsyou'll ever see."
There will also be barbecue, armadillo races and performance byGrammy Award winner Ray Benson.
Depending on the timing, the Senate is planning to send Sens.Larry Edgell, D-Wetzel, and Doug Facemire, D-Braxton.
The House is planning to send Delegates Boggs; Doyle; Poore;Barbara Evans Fleischauer, D-Monongalia; Bobbie Hatfield, D-Kanawha; Charlene Marshall, D-Monongalia; Ricky Moye, D-Raleigh; DonPerdue, D-Wayne; Ralph Rodighiero, D-Logan; Dale Stephens, D-Cabell; Danny Wells, D-Kanawha; and Harry Keith White, D-Mingo.
Contact writer Ry Rivard at ry.rivard@dailymail.com or 304-348-1796.
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