Political pundits had a field day with Delegate Ron Thompson’s ouster from the House. The effervescently witty Don Surber wrote, “While I have the eerie feeling his absence has some sad reason behind it, there is a silver lining to the cloud that hangs over him.

“Ron Thompson has done nothing this session. Which puts him ahead of the 99 other delegates. This year, before they vote, they should ask themselves, what would Ron Thompson do?

“The answer is nothing.”

Even Chris Stirewalt waxed humorous in the State Journal, proving a man who sports a bowtie can be funny. “Expulsion?” He said, “No sir. An award for most improved legislator would be more like it. I just wish some of his colleagues would follow his lead and stay home.”

Because the House had a voice vote and it is nearly impossible to know how they voted, those opposing the motion officially registered their “nays” with the House Clerk. I expected there would be some Democrats against it, but one Republican joined them: the newly elected Troy Andes (R-Putnam). I haven’t heard back from my email to Andes yet, but I am curious why anyone would oppose getting rid of a no-show.

Stirewalt and Surber both suggested the legislature follow the physician’s golden rule: “first do no harm.” The Senate has that chance on February 19th; it’s the last day they can introduce bills. Of course, the Senate is like a believer at a buffet line who is going to fast the next day: they gorge themselves so they can endure the lean weeks. The charge is led by Senator John Unger (D-Berkley) who is always the first in line with the highest plate of fried chicken. If he has not received some heavenly vision from Mother Teresa he will do like all the other years and introduce a couple dozen bills on the 19th that we can all do without.

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The Senate has five freshmen this year: Green (D- Raleigh), Hall (R-Putnam), Stollings (D- Boone), Sypolt (R- Preston) and Wells (D-Kanawha). So far, the Republicans are the only ones to not introduce a bill.

Stollings was the first to run the gauntlet on January 29th with Senate Bill 341, “Exempting certain owners from natural resources property valuation and assessment.” Wells followed on February 7th with a bill that expedites review of air pollution control permits. I write with gritted teeth, but it is actually a good bill.

Also on February 7th, Stollings introduced a bill more in his purview that expired rather than suspended the licenses of medicine, podiatry and physician assistants who did not fulfill their continuing education requirements. It also provided certain reinstatement fees.

Green finally joined the fray on February 8th by introducing the “Creating WV Professional Employer Organization Recognition and Registration Act.” It basically puts PEOs under the regulation of the West Virginia Insurance Commissioner.

While it is understandable that freshmen need time to get their legislative legs, I do hope Hall and Sypolt will introduce at least one bill before the buzzer. When in doubt, a tax cut will always work.