Governor Tomblin has appointed Speaker Rick Thompson as Secretary of Veterans Assistance, effective in mid-June.  The Governor's press release is included below.  As you would expect, the race to replace the Speaker started immediately!  Likely candidates include House Finance Chairman Harry Keith White (Mingo), Kanawha County Delegate Doug Skaff, House Judiciary Chairman Tim Miley, and House Majority Leader Brent Boggs (Braxton).  A Special Session for purposes of electing a new Speaker is expected to be called in mid to late June.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin today announced the appointment of Speaker Rick Thompson as Cabinet Secretary of the Department of Veterans Assistance. The appointment will be effective following the retirement of Secretary Keith Gwinn.

 

"I want to take this opportunity to thank Secretary Gwinn, our first Secretary of The Department of Veterans Assistance, for his service to our state and his enthusiastic commitment to our veterans," Gov. Tomblin said. "Secretary Gwinn accomplished much during his tenure, including his role in helping to secure the largest federal grant for a state veteran's cemetery. I'm truly grateful for his service."

The Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI) reported that the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee voted to send the nomination of Gina McCarthy to be EPA Administrator forward by a straight party line vote of 10 to 8.  During the committee’s meeting, Senator David Vitter, ranking Republican, said that Acting Administrator Robert Perciasepe had made some real progress toward satisfying the committee Republicans’ five requests for more transparency.  He added that if more progress were made, he would not try to block a vote on McCarthy’s confirmation by demanding a cloture vote, and that if EPA fully satisfied all five requests, he would vote for McCarthy.

Hillman Racing and Eddie Asbury advanced the Association and the Friends of Coal logos on the #27 truck in Friday night's race in Charlotte.   A press release announcing the representation and a picture of the #27 truck is included below.  We appreciate Hillman and Eddie bringing national attention to the Association and the Friends of Coal as the race was broadcast on the Speed Channel Friday evening.

The first Legislative Monthly Interim Meetings will be held in Charleston from May 20-22.  The following link will provide the schedule for this month’s meetings as well as the membership for the various Interim Committees.  Click here for the general schedule and committee makeup: http://www.legis.state.wv.us/committees/interims/intcomsched.cfm.

The June Interim Meetings will be held in Wheeling, the State’s first capitol, where West Virginia’s 150th Birthday will be commemorated.