Charleston Gazette-Mail
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The 87th West Virginia Legislature gaveled in just after noon Wednesday, quickly handling opening-day business before its two houses adjourned until February.
New legislators took the oath of office in the House of Delegates and Senate, and leaders in both chambers were chosen by the members.
After taking a break for U.S. Sen.-elect Jim Justice’s farewell address to the Legislature, the House of Delegates approved a resolution that officially makes vacant the seat won by Delegate-elect Joseph de Soto, who is on home confinement after being charged with felonies in December.
Debate over de Soto’s seat
The only significant debate of the opening day of the Legislature came with House Resolution 4, which declared vacant the seat won by de Soto in the November election.
In December, de Soto was charged in Berkeley County with making terroristic threats against other legislators. Before being charged, he switched his party from Republican to Democrat.
