House approves dismantling WV Office of Equal Opportunity, opt to keep its director
Lawmakers have signed off on doing away with the West Virginia Office of Equal Opportunity, opting to keep the office's director role within a state agency that will be tasked with protecting state employees from discrimination.
But questions remain about how the office seemingly dissolved before lawmakers signed off on any changes, which is required. The OEO no longer has any dedicated employees or a director, which is required in state code. A website for the office was taken down.
A spokesperson for the Department of Administration, which now oversees the OEO's work, hasn't responded to questions from West Virginia Watch about what happened. Gov. Patrick Morrisey told reporters on Monday that he didn't know all the details, but was going to 'make sure everything is done the right way.'
The OEO was tasked with complying with federal disability rights and investigated discrimination and harassment claims from public employees.
'All of the suites are still currently housed in the Department of Administration and are still being taken care of,' said Del. Chris Phillips, R-Barbour. The federally-required reports are still being filed, he said.
While vetting a Senate bill meant to dismantle the OEO, members of the House Committee on Government Organization last week learned that the office was already likely disbanded, possibly violating state code by not having lawmakers' required approval.
Following that meeting, the committee amended the Republican-sponsored bill to now continue the position of the OEO coordinator within the Department of Administration. The office would still be repealed, according to the legislation.
The House approved the amended bill on Friday with a vote of 90-9.
All House Democrats voted against the measure, citing concerns that it still wasn't clear what had happened to the office.
'During the committee process, we learned that the office was eliminated obviously without our authorization,' said Del. Hollis Lewis, D-Kanawha.
Sheryl Webb, director of the state Division of Personnel, declined last week to tell House committee members who had directed the division to begin dismantling the office.
She did say the change was partially spurred by Morrisey's executive order mandating that government agencies find efficiencies and eliminate waste. Eliminating the OEO would save $125,000 in salaries plus $41,250 in benefits, she said.
Bill sponsor Sen. Patricia Rucker, R-Jefferson, also said the bill was in an effort to streamline state government since the work was already being done by the Division of Personnel.
The Senate approved the bill March 29, and they'll have to concur with the House's vote on the measure before it goes to the governor's desk for consideration.
During a press conference on April 7, Morrisey said, 'One of the things that we're charged with doing is protecting taxpayers and driving efficiencies.'
'I'll go back after this and make sure that we're taking the steps and figure out if there's areas where we need the authority to change, then certainly we'll go to the Legislature and ask for change,' he continued.
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