HOUSE OF WEST DELEGATES VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE BUILDING 1900 1 , ROOM KANAWHA CHARLESTON, WV PHONE M-260 BLVD., (304) EAST 25305-0470 340-3240 July 15, 2020 via Hand Delivery The Honorable James C. Justice Governor State of West Virginia 1900 Kanawha Charleston, Boulevard, WV 25301 Dear Governor Justice: We understand these picked of some a team pandemic. There are difficult have done those whom smartest you are governing experts for that which excellent work you are surrounded to go' to get through The State state's of West pandemic foreseeable To begin, broad, in our state we are currently in keeping and appreciate to help guide experiencing our residents Virginia needs response but, Most you declared you having us through and those this experts safe and healthy, for the in our communities Additionally, since you dollars from the federal Quite frankly, belief to have a plan the citizens legislative among input who by those West great Neither you nor anyone you (or anybody Virginians state all aspects 'do deserve of our life" into to have the their and plan. by doing so, gives you is too long for any one person 16, 2020, to have such which, of us who have been elected of emergency, under the West Virginia else in your else) should has received CARES Act and may receive it has been far too long for you to serve in a role that that address to serve the WE live and 'do life.' a state government on March that 4 months how of our such a response of emergency declared say that 'we have a long way in place to not only also, a plan to address We believe appropriate often We agree. importantly, a state authority. without as dictatorial. by, you nonetheless be a part of developing unilateral authority this pandemic. future. representatives false in which part. Despite people times of the is no playbook you have assembled most East administration possess sole authority many have begun should be operating when !>1.25 Billion considerably it comes more. to describe under the to spending S1.25 Billion dollars of taxpayer money and, further, and business in the state. making decisions that affect everyindividual This virus is not going away soon, and many people believe that it will last well into the fall and winter months. You may very well keep West Virginia under a 'state of emergency' time, which will mean that the state will be under such designation have legislative input for such an extraordinary but also, to the citizens we represent. amount during that for nearly a year. of time is unacceptable Failure to to not just us, We do not believe that the work that is necessary can wait until the next time the Legislature is scheduled to convene in February 2021, nearly a year after the current 'state of emergency' called. Considering all that needs to be done, we need to act sooner than later. The House of Delegates counties is often referred to as the 'people's in this state and every person in it. virus. We are hearing from communities, healthcare local government house' and it represents all 55 in our state is affected by this Every community leaders, educators and small businesses in our workers, concerned senior citizens and children faced with uncertainty. Some of those voices are not being heard, and we want their concerns to be addressed state's response to this pandemic. Existing legislative committees can thoroughly proposals to address those issues. Our pandemic response framework should be based on input of the citizens in our state and not the sole discretion By this letter we are extending you the courtesy of requesting but not limited of one man. that you call the Legislature session to allow us to help develop a comprehensive our state including, in the examine the issues facing our state and craft policy from the many representatives extraordinary to, deciding the appropriate pandemic response manner in which any federal of it benefits the people of West If we do not receive any indication future that you will call the legislature in the immediate session, we will make whatever Virginia. back efforts we can to reach the 60% threshold in both the House of Delegates and the State Senate to call ourselves into session the work that is necessary for this state and her citizens to navigate unprecedented pandemic. and perform this long-lasting Sincerely, fflityLe-de- into plan for funding should be spent to ensure that every penny into an extraordinary was Delegap%Qon !i rrgtt and , ' /) sP Delegate Delegate Mick ' Delegate Michael Linda Longstreth, k, Q e Joe Canestraro De!ega!eJ'eff Campnell Delegate Mike Delegate Caputo Deilegate Amanda Estep-Buffon elegate Barbara Fleischauer Ed Evans De§ga5e,Shawn Fluharty/ Delegate Delegate Ken Hicks Bil'l t'f"artman {l Qelegbte Selan Hornbuckle i',/] Dele Ij)glegate Cindy Delegate Chad Lavender-Bowe Lovejoy. ate Delegate il Andrew Robinspfi Isaac Sponaugle Delegate'Randy Swa't'tzmiller -, Delegate Dave PethteJ Delegate Margaret Staggers Delega'te Dfoug Sk'affVl DeledteJohn Williams Deleg'ffieD:inJe Walker'