SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 51
(By Senator Craigo)
Directing the joint committee on government and finance to make
a study of the West Virginia parkways economic development
and tourism authority and its broad powers to develop and
maintain tourism and economic development projects.
Whereas, The West Virginia parkways economic development
and tourism authority has been given broad authority to promote
and enhance the tourism industry, to develop and improve
tourist facilities in the state and to promote agricultural,
economic and industrial development of the state; and
Whereas, The West Virginia parkways economic development
and tourism authority spent twenty-eight million four hundred
ninety thousand dollars to construct the Beckley, Morton and
Bluestone travel plazas, receives nine hundred fifty thousand
dollars annually from concession revenues from those plazas and
spends approximately three hundred fifty-one thousand six
hundred dollars to maintain those plazas; and
Whereas, The West Virginia parkways economic development
and tourism authority is currently spending thirty million
dollars to construct Tamarack Craft Center at Beckley; and
Whereas, The West Virginia parkways economic development
and tourism authority has the authority to issue revenue bonds
in addition to collecting tolls, fees, rents and other
revenues; and
Whereas, The West Virginia parkways economic development
and tourism authority is entering into projects to develop and
maintain tourist facilities and economic development projects
with very little oversight and is entering into concession
contracts without following normal state procedures, including
competitive bidding; and
Whereas, The citizens of this state who are paying the
costs of the parkway projects may not be receiving the best
return on their investment; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the joint committee on government and finance is
hereby directed to appoint an interim committee to study the
West Virginia parkways economic development and tourism
authority; the broad authority it has to spend the state's revenues; whether the citizens of this state are getting a
reasonable return on their money; and to make recommendations
to the Legislature regarding the same; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the interim committee appointed by
the joint committee on government and finance shall consist of
twelve members, six of whom shall be members of the Senate and
six of whom shall be members of the House of Delegates; and, be
it
Further Resolved, That the joint committee on government
and finance report to the regular session of the Legislature,
1996, on its findings, conclusions and recommendations,
together with any drafts of any legislation necessary to
effectuate its recommendations; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct
this study, to prepare a report and to draft necessary
legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the
joint committee on government and finance.