New senator announces committee assignments

by State Senator Donald Cookman
The change to my new roll of Senator has been hectic and challenging, but also rewarding.      
      
During the legislative session, I will be serving on the following State Senate committees: Agriculture, Economic Development, Enrolled Bills, Interstate Cooperation, Government Organization, Judiciary and Natural Resources. I am also serving as chairman of the Committee on Enrolled Bills and vice-chairman of the Committee of Interstate Cooperation.

I have been named to the Senate Select Committee on Children & Poverty. This committee, which will be chaired by Senator John Unger of Berkeley County, has been established to investigate and promote solutions to deal with the staggering issue of children and poverty in the state.

While West Virginia has reduced the number of seniors living in poverty in the past years, child poverty continues to be a growing problem, according to a recent report. It is hoped this committee can take a holistic approach to dealing with the problem and develop a long-term plan to better the lives of children and improve the quality of life for all West Virginias.

So far, I have added my name to as sponsor to three bills. Senate Bill 151 requires corporations to disclose to their shareholders and certain others the money it expends for political activities. Senate Bill 178 creates a new license plate to honor law-enforcement officers killed in the line of duty, which would be available to their next-of-kin; and Senate Bill 210 provides for the equal compensation of certain magistrate court employees.

One issue of particular interest to the constituents of the 15th Senatorial District is the need for improvements to the West Virginia Schools for Deaf & Blind in Romney, or the alternative of building an entirely new campus which would in all likelihood be located outside of the district. I am happy to report that the West Virginia State Board of Education will delay any action for a year to allow proper study of the available options. 

I am interested in citizens’ concerns. You can reach me at my office in the Capitol: Room 417M, Bldg. 1, 1900 Kanawha Blvd. E., Charleston, WV 25305. Phone: 304-357-7980. Email: Donald.cookman@wvsenate.gov.