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Giving the Public Time to Weigh In

Whether you agree with the “omnibus” education bill proceeding through the West Virginia Legislature or not, give House of Delegates leaders credit for not making it a “midnight special” situation.

One time-tested method of getting controversial bills through the Legislature — and it has been used for decades — is to wait until the closing hours of the legislative session. Then, neither the public nor opposing lawmakers have much time to react. The “midnight special” label comes from the fact that sessions end at midnight on the last day.

But delegates acted quickly, in less than a week after the state Senate approved its version of the education bill. By Thursday, the House had passed its rewrite of the measure.

That leaves more than three weeks in the 60-day session to hash out differences in the two bills — and give those with concerns time to air them once a final version is written. Good for House leaders for getting the timing right.