“We achieved a great deal during this session, but there’s much more work to do.” That was the assessment from Boone County State Senator Ron Stollings. The Madison physician and public health activist said a handful of very important bills were passed during the session which ended last week

Senator Stollings lauded an effort in the legislature under HB-2860 that he believes will keep Boone County coal viable for decades to come. “This is an effort to fast-track clean coal technology in the state,” he said. “We have to find a way to capture CO2 and pump it back into the ground so we can successfully use coal for our nation’s needs in the future.” He said sequestration is one of the requirements which will allow companies to manufacture fuel from coal.

Last summer’s accident at Bayer Crop Sciences in Kanawha County was addressed under SB-279. A blast at the plant located on the banks of the Kanawha River took the life of one employee and for a long period of time, emergency services personnel were unsure what was being store at the plant. This bill, which was passed, will require any industrial plant operator to report accidents to the public and authorities within fifteen minutes.

A major disappointment for Stollings was the inability of legislators from coal producing counties to increase the amount of coal severance tax dollars that remain in the county. He said that due to the uncertain nature of future state budgets, Gov. Joe Manchin opposed any increase.

The senator and his sponsors were also unable to pass a bill that would have required a dental exam to enter 1st grade or kindergarten.

“Many low-income students are starting school with poor dental health,” he said. “A lot of these families just cannot afford to take their kids to the dentist, so we drafted this bill to help them. It is the law that children must be immunized before they start school, and why isn’t healthy dental care just as important?”

Stollings said 30 percent of families on Medicaid still do not take their children to the dentist while 90 percent of all students under the CHIPS insurance program go.

The West Virginia Children’s Health Insurance Program (WVCHIP) is a low cost health care plan for children and teenagers of working families.

Stollings said state leaders opposed the bill due to what they believed was the high cost.

During this term, the Promise Scholarship program was capped at $4,750 per year beginning in 2010. He said that currently, the cost per year for in-state students at WVU is $5,100.

“We have to preserve the Promise Scholarship and we discovered the only way to really do this was get control of the costs. I must emphasize that those students in WVU or other state schools right now under the Promise program are covered. They have nothing to worry about.” Stollings said.

Another education-related bill that passed HB-2335, known as the Veteran’s Yellow Ribbon GI Bill, allowed out of state military veterans to attend West Virginia colleges and universities at in-state rates.

Stollings applauded SB-244, which “fixed a problem with the state pension system.” The bill prevents judges and other officials from retiring and getting themselves appointed to the same position. “It fixed a loophole allowing circuit judges to double dip,” he said.

Retired public school employees should benefit from HB-2870. The senator said this bill would “extend the deadline for teachers to convert back to the old retirement system if they so chose.”

In past election years, voters who chose to exercise their right to cast an early ballot were forced to travel to the county courthouse. This is no longer the case with HB-2464. “Starting with the next election, voting sites outside of the courthouse may be chosen. This could include community buildings, senior centers and other suitable voting sites,” he said.

Stollings said it would help in larger counties where voters might find it difficult to drive a long distance to the polls. “With the cost of living and gas prices being so unstable, an early voting location that is closer to home might encourage some people to vote who might not have cast a ballot otherwise,” he said.

Senator Stollings expressed concern that in the future, state officials will work with county officials to help “map out a future for Southern West Virginia that isn’t totally dependent upon the coal industry.”

Stollings said officials need to take a close look at post-mine land use in Boone County. “We may be getting a chance down the road to utilize some excellent mountaintop removal mine lands after they are released by the mining companies. Imagine using these large parcels of land for schools, shopping malls and factories. Our officials need to be ready when the opportunity presents itself.”

“This could even be potentially used as a southern connector to Bill’s Creek at the West Virginia Turnpike. Imagine how many travel opportunities that would open for us,” he said.

As his first term as senator comes to a close, Stollings says he is confident enough to announce that he recently filed pre-candidacy papers at the West Virginia Secretary of State’s office. “I have tried to be the best senator I can be,” he said. “Sometimes, such as when kids from the Boone County 4-H government classes come to see me, it makes this all worthwhile. Wonderful, bright-eyed kids all full of hope like those are the future of West Virginia.”