Getting a hold of the runaway PEIA debt continues to be a major challenge. I was disappointed that my colleagues backed off several reforms that would have addressed the long-term financial problem facing PEIA. The program is currently facing a $50 million deficit, and unless we take serious measures, this will grow to $80 million by next year. The taxpayers of this state cannot afford to bankroll a better-than-average health care system for its public employees that increases in cost 10 percent each year.

Leipzg Hoteles The biggest area my Senate colleagues backed down from, but is desperately needed, comes in the area of premiums. The taxpayers of West Virginia are currently paying 93 percent of the health care premiums for its public employees. The plan I support would lower this to 80 percent. Bear in mind, there are many, many taxpayers who are without health insurance themselves, or who split the premium with their employers 50/50. The reform that I supported would still be a good insurance benefit for public employees.

I also supported a reform, but it was put off, which ends the fiscally irresponsible policy of allowing public employees to take unused sick leave and use it to pay for health insurance premiums when they retire. Where in the private sector can you get such a deal? Nowhere. Sick days are an annual benefit; not a lifetime entitlement. If you are sick, you use the days to get well. Allowing public employees to use these unused days for health insurance premiums puts an unpaid obligation on the backs of the taxpayers. I do support, however, using unused sick leave for credit toward retirement.

The Senate has approved some needed reforms. This includes a reasonable increase in co-payments and deductibles to reign in over-utilization. The bill also requires the PEIA Finance Board to annually develop a five-year financial plan for the program. But, once again giving into the demands of union leaders, the Senate leadership moved to increase the board from five to seven members to give labor representatives a seat at the table to find solutions to this financially complex problem.

What the Legislature has essentially done in giving into the demands of the teachers and public employee unions is to buy more time to figure out a long-term solution. The only problem is that the more days we put this off, the more it costs the taxpayers. I am told there will be a special session sometime in May or June to deal with PEIA reforms, at which time the teachers and public employees unions will be expected to deal in good faith. Lets hope!

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The State Senate has passed legislation that rewrites the states divorce laws to make them fairer for both parents and protects the best interests of children. The bill incorporates the joint custody concept I support, which would no longer award child custody solely to the primary caretaker. My Senators and I are in agreement that it is in the best interest of the child to be around two loving parents to the extent that is possible.

The Legislature is also going to scrap the family law master system and replace it with a network of family courts throughout the state that are presided by trained judges. I cant begin to tell you how much mail I have received from constituents who are frustrated with the family law master system. We need to restore confidence in our judicial system and getting rid of this outdated and over-politicized system is a good place to start.

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We passed and sent to the House a resolution supporting Governor Underwoods $110 million road bond plan. This includes money to build Corridor H. Now that we have a federal court ruling that says we can build this important highway once historical reports are completed, we can go after federal matching dollars to make this road become a reality. This is a very exciting prospect for new economic growth opportunities in our region.

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We passed and sent to Governor Underwood legislation, which prevents local governments from passing restrictive firearms laws. This is a bill we passed last year, but was mistakenly vetoed. It has the support of the National Rifle Association and hunters and sportsmen throughout our state. We are all in agreement that West Virginians trust law-abiding citizens to keep and bear arms, but that they expect current laws against criminals to be enforced. Gun control is not the answer.

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hoteles Aarhus We are working late nights as we wind down the Regular Session. Among the bills we have passed included an Election Law measure which restricts loans made to candidates, limits contributions to governors inaugural committees, allows small children to accompany their parents in the voting booth and otherwise improves our free election process.

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cheap hotel in AveiroWe also passed a bill, at the request of the Senate Majority Leader, to move West Virginias Primary up to March, so we can participate more in the presidential primary elections. While this will heighten West Virginians involvement in the presidential sweepstakes, and attract more presidential candidates to our state, it will make it very difficult for incumbent legislators to campaign, since the Legislature meets until the second week of March.

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Finally, we passed legislation, which will give military retirees an income tax break. While this will cost the state approximately $2.4 million in lost tax revenue, the proposal is expected to generate up to $50 million in economic benefit through the many military retirees who will likely move to our state. These are quality citizens who will bring their retirement pay and their talents to our communities. I wholeheartedly support this bill.

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I want to thank the many senior citizens that visited with me this week as part of "Senior Day at the Legislature." This included 18 seniors from Preston County who made a trip down to Charleston with Sid Murphy, director of the Preston County Senior Center. It was also good to visit with the schoolchildren from my district at the Capitol for "Youth in Government Day." Please continue to visit me in Room 441 of the Main Capitol.

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The Regular Session concludes Saturday at midnight. You can watch all the action on Public Television beginning at 8 p.m. We will then stay in Charleston for a one week extended session to finish up work on the State Budget. Please call me at (304) 357-7914 if you need anything!