Sen. Earl Ray Tomblin, D-Logan -- soon to be West Virginia's governor -- greets the crowd following his Monday morning press conference at the Capitol.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- In his first public appearance since the Nov. 2 election, Senate president and acting governor-to-be Earl Ray Tomblin, D-Logan, said Monday he will focus on executive branch duties when he takes office.
"I will spend my time as governor running the executive branch of government," Tomblin said during a press conference before an overflow crowd in the governor's reception room. "I do not plan on presiding over or voting in the Senate."
Although the constitution requires that he maintain the title of Senate president in order to serve as acting governor, Tomblin said he will turn the day-to-day duties of running Senate floor sessions to the president pro tempore, currently Sen. Joe Minard, D-Harrison.
While he will not publicly participate in Senate activities, Tomblin said he will probably continue to attend Senate Democratic Party caucuses -- closed-door meetings that are held frequently during legislative sessions to determine where the majority party stands on key issues.
By law, Tomblin, 58, will automatically become acting governor the moment Gov. Joe Manchin resigns the office, a transition that could occur as early as Friday, and probably no later than Nov. 15.
Also Monday, Tomblin said he believes the current law is clear that the elections to fill the vacancy created by Manchin's election to the U.S. Senate are to be held in 2012 -- concurrently with the election of a new governor for a full four-year term, that will begin in January 2013.
Tomblin said he will not call a special session this fall for legislation to require a special election in 2011, and will leave it up to "what the people want" as to whether to address the gubernatorial succession law in the 2011 regular session.
"I am well aware of the strong desires of some wishing to have an election prior to 2012," Tomblin said, adding, "If my fellow West Virginians express an overwhelming desire to have a quick election, I will work with the Legislature to make that a reality."
However, Tomblin urged legislators to take a "reasoned and thoughtful approach" to making any change to the succession law, noting, "We must keep in mind the potential costs, timing and what is in the best interests of West Virginia."
Tomblin did not comment on a potential lawsuit to ask the state Supreme Court to order a 2011 special election.
Tomblin spoke to a Capitol reception room overflow crowd that included legislators -- including eight senators who stood behind him at the podium -- state agency heads and prominent lobbyists.
He drew the loudest applause of the day with a one-word response to a question on whether he plans to run for a full-term as governor in 2012: "Absolutely."
As acting governor, Tomblin said he will stress the fiscal responsibility that has marked his tenure as Senate president, and prior, as Senate Finance Committee chairman.
He noted that when he became Finance chairman in 1985, the state was virtually bankrupt.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- In his first public appearance since the Nov. 2 election, Senate president and acting governor-to-be Earl Ray Tomblin, D-Logan, said Monday he will focus on executive branch duties when he takes office.
"I will spend my time as governor running the executive branch of government," Tomblin said during a press conference before an overflow crowd in the governor's reception room. "I do not plan on presiding over or voting in the Senate."
Although the constitution requires that he maintain the title of Senate president in order to serve as acting governor, Tomblin said he will turn the day-to-day duties of running Senate floor sessions to the president pro tempore, currently Sen. Joe Minard, D-Harrison.
While he will not publicly participate in Senate activities, Tomblin said he will probably continue to attend Senate Democratic Party caucuses -- closed-door meetings that are held frequently during legislative sessions to determine where the majority party stands on key issues.
By law, Tomblin, 58, will automatically become acting governor the moment Gov. Joe Manchin resigns the office, a transition that could occur as early as Friday, and probably no later than Nov. 15.
Also Monday, Tomblin said he believes the current law is clear that the elections to fill the vacancy created by Manchin's election to the U.S. Senate are to be held in 2012 -- concurrently with the election of a new governor for a full four-year term, that will begin in January 2013.
Tomblin said he will not call a special session this fall for legislation to require a special election in 2011, and will leave it up to "what the people want" as to whether to address the gubernatorial succession law in the 2011 regular session.
"I am well aware of the strong desires of some wishing to have an election prior to 2012," Tomblin said, adding, "If my fellow West Virginians express an overwhelming desire to have a quick election, I will work with the Legislature to make that a reality."
However, Tomblin urged legislators to take a "reasoned and thoughtful approach" to making any change to the succession law, noting, "We must keep in mind the potential costs, timing and what is in the best interests of West Virginia."
Tomblin did not comment on a potential lawsuit to ask the state Supreme Court to order a 2011 special election.
Tomblin spoke to a Capitol reception room overflow crowd that included legislators -- including eight senators who stood behind him at the podium -- state agency heads and prominent lobbyists.
He drew the loudest applause of the day with a one-word response to a question on whether he plans to run for a full-term as governor in 2012: "Absolutely."
As acting governor, Tomblin said he will stress the fiscal responsibility that has marked his tenure as Senate president, and prior, as Senate Finance Committee chairman.
He noted that when he became Finance chairman in 1985, the state was virtually bankrupt.
"Since that time, I've worked with legislative members and four different governors to help bring us back to the financial stability that now makes West Virginia envied nationally," Tomblin said. "We have paid down our debt. We have balanced our budget. We have lowered taxes."
As acting governor, Tomblin said he will strive to improve the state's educational system, and to promote the state as a national leader in energy production.
"Coal is a huge part of West Virginia, and we must continue to support its important role in the energy needs of our nation," Tomblin said.
Tomblin, who named his top gubernatorial aides last week, said he will be announcing additional cabinet-level appointments shortly, but said most will be replacing individuals who are leaving voluntarily. He said that attrition would have occurred anyway, as Manchin's final two years as governor would have been winding down.
Also Monday:
Tomblin said he will accept the $150,000 salary of governor during his tenure, but will not take his legislative salary, which works out to $29,000 a year, plus $150 for each day spent "attending to legislative business" when the Legislature is not in session.
Minard said he's ready to preside over the day-to-day operations of the Senate, and does not plan any changes. "There's no reason to make any changes," he said.
Technically, Tomblin will have to be re-elected Senate president when the 80th Legislature convenes in January in order to retain his title as acting governor.
"It's my hope my fellow members of the Senate will elect me," said Tomblin, who is the longest-serving Senate president in state history, having held the position since 1995.
Reach Phil Kabler at ph...@wvgazette.com or 304-348-1220.
Get Connected