Have a question for Ballotpedia staff?
Click here to live chat with one of our writers between 9am-5pm CST.




West Virginia State Senate

From Ballotpedia
(Redirected from West Virginia Senate)
Jump to: navigation, search
West Virginia State Senate

Seal of West Virginia.svg.png
General Information
Type:   Upper house
Term limits:   None
2012 session start:   January 11, 2012
Website:   Official Senate Page
Leadership
Senate President:   Jeffrey Kessler, (D)
Majority Leader:   John Unger, (D)
Minority leader:   Mike Hall, (R)
Structure
Members:  34
   Democratic Party (28)
Republican Party (6)
Length of term:   4 years
Authority:   Art VI, Section 3, West Virginia Constitution
Salary:   $20,000/year + per diem
Elections
Last Election:  November 2, 2010 (17 seats)
Next election:  November 6, 2012 (17 seats)
Redistricting:  West Virginia legislature special session controls
Map of Senate districts

Contents

The West Virginia Senate is the upper house of the West Virginia Legislature.

The senate has 34 senators. They are elected from 17 senate districts; each of these districts elect two senators who serve staggered four-year terms, which means that each of the 17 state senate districts have one state senate election every even-numbered year. Each member represents an average of 54,500 residents, as of the 2010 Census.[1] After the 2000 Census, each member represented 53,187 residents.[2]

West Virginia's state senators are not subject to term limits.

Sessions

Article VI of the West Virginia Constitution establishes when the West Virginia State Legislature, of which the Senate is a part, is to be in session. Section 18 of Article VI states that the Legislature is to convene its regular session on the second Wednesday of January of each year. Once every four years, on the year in which the Governor of West Virginia is inaugurated, the Legislature holds a thirty day recess after the first day of the session. This recess is designed to give the Governor time to prepare a budget.

Section 22 of Article VI limits regular sessions of the Legislature to sixty days. Regular sessions can be extended by a two-thirds vote of the members of both legislative houses.

Section 19 of Article VI gives the Governor of West Virginia the power to convene the Legislature into special session. Section 19 also requires the Governor to convene a special session if it is requested by three-fifths of the members of each legislative house.

2012

See also: Dates of 2012 state legislative sessions

In 2012, the Senate will be in session from January 11 through March 10.

Major issues

Governor Earl Ray Tomblin's (D) agenda for 2012 includes job creation, tying teacher evaluations to student performance, increasing mine safety, and combating substance abuse.[3] Additionally, the Legislature is expected to address overcrowded prisons, Marcellus Shale development, and health care.[4]

2011

See also: Dates of 2011 state legislative sessions

In 2011, the Senate was in regular session from January 12 through March 18. [5] An August 1 special session was called by Governor Earl Ray Tomblin to pass legislation related to redistricting and other topics.[6] A second special session began on August 15, to replace the House of Delegates' redistricting plan. The House's plan, which passed during the first special session on August 1, must be vetoed because of errors. The plan contains duplicate voter precinct populations for districts in both Kanawha and Morgan counties.[7]

2010

See also: Dates of 2010 state legislative sessions

In 2010, the Senate was in regular session from January 13 to March 20. Additionally, the Legislature met in special session from May 13 to May 19.[8][9]

Elections

2012

See also: West Virginia State Senate elections, 2012

Elections for the office of West Virginia State Senate will be held in West Virginia on November 6, 2012. A total of 17 seats will be up for election.

The signature filing deadline is January 28, 2012 and the primary date was May 8, 2012.

2010

See also: West Virginia State Senate elections, 2010

Elections for the office of West Virginia's State Senate were held in West Virginia on November 2, 2010. Out of 34 Senate seats, 17 were on the ballot in 2010. Senators in West Virginia State Senate serve staggered four year terms, which means that each of the 17 state senate districts have one state senate election every even-numbered year.

The signature-filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in these elections was January 30, 2010. The primary election day was May 11, 2010.

In 2010, the candidates for state senate raised a total of $2,663,291 in campaign contributions. The top 10 donors were: [10]

Donor Amount
Chafin, H Truman $303,000
Smith, Greg (Hootie) $227,570
Barnes, John $88,451
Greathouse, Dan $50,834
Contractors Association of West Virginia $26,300
Tucker, Gregory A $25,200
West Virginia Bankers Association $25,000
West Virginia Chamber of Commerce $21,500
West Virginia Building & Construction Trades Council $18,000
Frich, Cindy $17,854

Qualifications

Section 13 of Article 6 of the West Virginia Constitution states, "No person holding any other lucrative office or employment under this state, the United States, or any foreign government; no member of Congress; and no person who is sheriff, constable, or clerk of any court of record, shall be eligible to a seat in the Legislature."

Vacancies

See also: How vacancies are filled in state legislatures
How Vacancies are filled in State Legislatures
NevadaMassachusettsColoradoNew MexicoWyomingArizonaMontanaCaliforniaOregonWashingtonIdahoTexasOklahomaKansasNebraskaSouth DakotaNorth DakotaMinnesotaIowaMissouriArkansasLouisianaMississippiAlabamaGeorgiaFloridaSouth CarolinaIllinoisWisconsinTennesseeNorth CarolinaIndianaOhioKentuckyPennsylvaniaNew JerseyNew YorkVermontVermontNew HampshireMaineWest VirginiaVirginiaMarylandMarylandConnecticutConnecticutDelawareDelawareRhode IslandRhode IslandMassachusettsNew HampshireMichiganMichiganAlaskaVacancy fulfillment map.png

If there is a vacancy in the West Virginia Senate, the Governor is responsible for filling any vacancy[11] [12].

There is two procedures for filling vacancies dependent upon how much time is left in the vacant Senator's term. A gubernatorial appointment is required if less than two months and two years are left in the vacant Senator's term. A temporary gubernatorial appointment is required for any vacancy that has more than two months and two years remaining. The person who is selected by the Governor to fill the seat on an interim basis, serves until the next scheduled general election. A special election must be held to determine a permanent replacement. The executive committee of the political party that holds the vacant Senate seat is responsible for making recommendations to the Governor on any appointment[12].

Senators

Salaries

See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries

As of 2010, members of the West Virginia Senate are paid $20,000/year. Legislators receive $131/day per diem during session, set by the compensation commission.[13]

The $20,000/year that West Virginia senators are paid as of 2010 is an increase over the $15,000/year they were paid during legislative sessions in 2007. Per diem has increased from $115/day in 2007 to $131/day in 2010.[14]

When sworn in

See also: When state legislators assume office after a general election

West Virginia legislators assume office the first day of December following the election.

Partisan composition

See also: Partisan composition of state senates
Party As of May 2012
     Democratic Party 28
     Republican Party 6
Total 34


Leadership

The Senate elects the President of the Senate from its membership. The President also serves as Lieutenant Governor and is the second ranking constitutional officer in the state. [15][16]

Current leadership

Position Representative Party
President of the Senate Jeffrey Kessler Electiondot.png Democratic
State Senate President Pro Tempore Joseph Minard Electiondot.png Democratic
State Senate Majority Leader John Unger Electiondot.png Democratic
State Senate Majority Whip Larry Edgell Electiondot.png Democratic
State Senate Minority Leader Mike Hall Ends.png Republican
State Senate Minority Whip Clark Barnes Ends.png Republican

2010 Leadership

Position Representative Party
President of the Senate Earl Ray Tomblin Electiondot.png Democratic
State Senate President Pro Tempore Joseph Minard Electiondot.png Democratic
State Senate Majority Leader Truman Chafin Electiondot.png Democratic
State Senate Majority Whip Larry Edgell Electiondot.png Democratic
State Senate Minority Leader Mike Hall Ends.png Republican
State Senate Minority Whip Clark Barnes Ends.png Republican

List of current members

District Representative Party Counties in District
1 Orphy Klempa Electiondot.png Democratic Brooke,Hancock, Ohio
1 Jack Yost Electiondot.png Democratic Brooke,Hancock, Ohio
2 Larry Edgell Electiondot.png Democratic Calhoun,Doddridge,Marion(part),Marshall,Monongalia(part),Ritchie,Tyler,Wetzel
2 Jeffrey Kessler Electiondot.png Democratic Calhoun,Doddridge,Marion(part),Marshall,Monongalia(part),Ritchie,Tyler,Wetzel
3 Donna Boley Ends.png Republican Pleasants,Roane(part),Wirt,Wood
3 David Nohe Ends.png Republican Pleasants,Roane(part),Wirt,Wood
4 Karen Facemyer Ends.png Republican Jackson,Mason,Putnam,Roane(part)
4 Mike Hall Ends.png Republican Jackson,Mason,Putnam,Roane(part)
5 Evan Jenkins Electiondot.png Democratic Cabell,Wayne(part)
5 Robert Plymale Electiondot.png Democratic Cabell,Wayne(part)
6 Truman Chafin Electiondot.png Democratic McDowell, Mercer(part), Mingo(part), Wayne(part)
6 John Fanning Electiondot.png Democratic McDowell, Mercer(part), Mingo(part), Wayne(part)
7 Art Kirkendoll Electiondot.png Democratic
7 Ron Stollings Electiondot.png Democratic Boone, Lincoln, Logan, Wayne(part)
8 Corey Palumbo Electiondot.png Democratic Kanawha
8 Erik Wells Electiondot.png Democratic Kanawha
9 Richard Browning Electiondot.png Democratic Raleigh, Wyoming(part)
9 Mike Green Electiondot.png Democratic Raleigh, Wyoming(part)
10 Mark Wills Electiondot.png Democratic Fayette(part), Greenbrier, Mercer, Monroe, Summers
10 Ron Miller Electiondot.png Democratic Fayette(part), Greenbrier, Mercer, Monroe, Summers
11 William Laird Electiondot.png Democratic Fayette(part), Clay, Nicholas, Upshur, Webster
11 Gregory Tucker Electiondot.png Democratic Fayette(part), Clay, Nicholas, Upshur, Webster
12 Joseph Minard Electiondot.png Democratic Braxton, Gilmer, Harrison, Lewis
12 Douglas Facemire Electiondot.png Democratic Braxton, Gilmer, Harrison, Lewis
13 Robert Beach Electiondot.png Democratic Marion(part), Monongalia(part)
13 Roman Prezioso Electiondot.png Democratic Marion(part), Monongalia(part)
14 Robert Williams Electiondot.png Democratic Barbour, Grant(part), Mineral(part), Monongalia(part),Preston, Taylor
14 David Sypolt Ends.png Republican Barbour, Grant(part), Mineral(part), Monongalia(part),Preston, Taylor
15 Clark Barnes Ends.png Republican Berkeley, Grant(part), Hardy, Hampshire, Pendleton, Pocahontas, Randolph, Upshur(part)
15 Walt Helmick Electiondot.png Democratic Berkeley, Grant(part), Hardy, Hampshire, Pendleton, Pocahontas, Randolph, Upshur(part)
16 John Unger Electiondot.png Democratic Berkeley(part), Jefferson
16 Herb Snyder Electiondot.png Democratic Berkeley(part), Jefferson
17 Dan Foster Electiondot.png Democratic Kanawha
17 Brooks McCabe Electiondot.png Democratic Kanawha

Senate Committees

The West Virginia State Senate has 18 standing committees:

External links

Wikipedia-logo-en.png

References

  1. ↑ Population in 2010 of the American states
  2. ↑ Population in 2000 of the American states
  3. ↑ State Journal, "Tomblin focuses on job creation in WV State of the State address," January 11, 2012
  4. ↑ The Intelligencer, "New Prison an Issue as Lawmakers Return," January 12, 2012
  5. ↑ West Virginia Legislature
  6. ↑ WTRF, Tomblin Calls Special Session for Redistricting, July 26, 2011
  7. ↑ The Republic, Tomblin: special session to begin Thurs to remedy House redistricting plan, Aug. 12, 2011
  8. ↑ 2010 session convenes dates for West Virginia Legislature
  9. ↑ 2010 session adjourns dates for West Virginia Legislature
  10. ↑ Follow the Money: "West Virginia Senate 2010 Campaign Contributions"
  11. ↑ West Virginia Legislature "West Virginia Constitution"(Referenced Section, Article 4, Section 7)
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 West Virginia Legislature "West Virginia Code"(Referenced Statute 3-10-5, WV Code)
  13. ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "2010 Legislator Compensation Data"
  14. ↑ Empire Center, "Legislative Salaries Per State as of 2007"
  15. ↑ Citizen's Guide to the West Virginia Legislature - Presiding Officers
  16. ↑ West Virginia State Senate Leadership
v • d • e
Democrat majority Current members of the West Virginia State Senate
Senate President: Jeffrey Kessler (D) • Senate Majority Leader: John Unger (D) • Senate Minority Leader: Mike Hall (R)
   

1. Orphy Klempa (D)
1. Jack Yost (D)
2. Larry Edgell (D)
2. Jeffrey Kessler (D)
3. Donna Boley (R)
3. David Nohe (R)
4. Karen Facemyer (R)

4. Mike Hall (R)
5. Evan Jenkins (D)
5. Robert Plymale (D)
6. Truman Chafin (D)
6. John Fanning (D)
7. Art Kirkendoll (D)
7. Ron Stollings (D)

8. Corey Palumbo (D)
8. Erik Wells (D)
9. Richard Browning (D)
9. Mike Green (D)
10. Mark Wills (D)
10. Ron Miller  (D)
11. William Laird (D)

11. Gregory Tucker (D)
12. Joseph Minard (D)
12. Douglas Facemire (D)
13. Robert Beach (D)
13. Roman Prezioso (D)
14. Robert Williams (D)
14. David Sypolt (R)

15. Clark Barnes (R)
15. Walt Helmick (D)
16. John Unger (D)
16. Herb Snyder (D)
17. Dan Foster (D)
17. Brooks McCabe (D)

Democratic (28) • Republican (6) • West Virginia State Senate • West Virginia House of Delegates
v • d • e
State legislatures
Legislatures
Alabama (H, S) · Alaska (H, S) · Arizona (H, S) · Arkansas (H, S) · California (A, S) · Colorado (H, S) · Connecticut (H, S) · Delaware (H, S) · Florida (H, S) · Georgia (H, S) · Hawaii (H, S) · Idaho (H, S) · Illinois (H, S) · Indiana (H, S) · Iowa (H, S) · Kansas (H, S) · Kentucky (H, S) · Louisiana (H, S) · Maine (H, S) · Maryland (H, S) · Massachusetts (H, S) · Michigan (H, S) · Minnesota (H, S) · Mississippi (H, S) · Missouri (H, S) · Montana (H, S) · Nebraska · Nevada (A, S) · New Hampshire (H, S) · New Jersey (GA, S) · New Mexico (H, S) · New York (A, S) · North Carolina (H, S) · North Dakota (H, S) · Ohio (H, S) · Oklahoma (H, S) · Oregon (H, S) · Pennsylvania (H, S) · Rhode Island (H, S) · South Carolina (H, S) · South Dakota (H, S) · Tennessee (H, S) · Texas (H, S) · Utah (H, S) · Vermont (H, S) · Virginia (H, S) · Washington (H, S) · West Virginia (H, S) · Wisconsin (A, S) · Wyoming (H, S)
SLP badge.jpg
2012
2011
2010
2009
Features of
state legislatures
State senates
State houses
Leadership positions
Retrieved from "http://www.ballotpedia.us/wiki/index.php?title=West_Virginia_State_Senate&oldid=1281120"
Personal tools
Namespaces
Variants
Actions
Encyclopedia:
Calendars
Get Involved:
Toolbox