The legislature’s relative productivity is fairly low. Every year they have sixty days plus a handful more for the budget to deal with issues of the state. When Governor Joe Manchin breaks out the war paint and calls them in for a special session, there’s even more days.

But most of the time is fritted away thanks to leadership unwilling to take the problems facing our state serious or consider the Republican agenda. Of the sixty days, the first thirty are spent very slowly. Yes, there are the obligatory reports and initial breaking in on the issues, but if I understand the process right (and I surely hope I do by now), that’s what the monthly three day interim meetings are for. In a typical session, hardly anything consequential passes during the first half as staffers and Senators go home early each day.

Then as we break the 30-day mark, everyone starts getting a spring in their step; the chairmen tell the media we may not have enough time to get everything done; we all walk around quickly and mutter to ourselves. The 60th day comes with a mighty clash and at the last minute on statewide television they barely pass a most important bill.

I remember musing with Senator Harrison one day as we kicked around a novel idea. What if the Senate was busy from day one, finished their business before the 60th day and…and…just went home? Heresy, I know.

I realize the 60th day nightlong session is tradition; in fact, the leadership stalled last year just so there would be something to do when midnight rolled around. But I get the feeling West Virginians would be happier to know their legislature was saving money than that they were participating in riveting late-night reality television.

This half on, half off deal is what happens during a non-election year. When there is an election looming soon after the final gavel, the legislators aren’t allowed to be productive as the leadership avoids controversial bills.

While most sessions have a driving mission everyone is discussing, this session is unusually aimless thanks to many factors. Teachers aside, no one is really mad; the legislature tends to be reactive than active and doesn’t know what to do when there isn’t an angry mob crashing the gates. Manchin’s speech was flat without a serious agenda. The legislative leadership has proven they are unable to think independently of Governor Manchin. If Manchin isn’t thinking at all (or at least not sharing his great wit and wisdom with us mere mortals), the legislature is in heap big trouble.

Of the main issues confronting the legislature, most skirt the real problems in our state:

ATVs? That will (or should) take no more than two weeks to pass out of both houses. But even if nothing passes, the effect would be negligible.

Table games? Delegate Corey Palumbo is right: when West Virginians voted for the lottery in the 80s, they certainly were not supporting the promulgation of places that are 10,000 light bulbs short of a Vegas casino.

The legislature decided last year to not allow table games in the four racetracks, yet the liberals aren’t going to take no for an answer. Instead of trying to make our state competitive in meaningful ways such as our tax structure or business climate, look for Democrats – and sadly, a handful of Republicans – to force more gambling upon us.

Teacher’s pay raises? For the last 10 years, when Republicans tried to reduce West Virginian’s taxes the Democrats would ask what services they were going to cut. While I am sure everyone would love to give the teachers a much needed pay raise, according to the Democrats, we’re strapped for cash.

The teachers need a pay raise, no doubt about it. But so do our police, government workers, and the average West Virginian whose median income ranks at the bottom of any state in the union. The payraise will help for this session, but what happens two years from now? Change the economic climate and I guarantee teacher pay raises will increase significantly.

A lack of a central issue may open the door for the crazies – you know, the people Speaker Thompson chose to run his committees – to introduce and pass all kinds of “creative” legislation. From what I understand, they’re up to their shenanigans already. Once again the Senate will have to be the deliberate body and stop them.

Everything rises and falls on leadership. The new legislature’s heads should decide that this year government will be run as though hard working West Virginians are paying their electric bill. Because they are.