Legislature 2010: Session Midpoint (Updated)

The Associated Press looks at the Legislature's work thus far, halfway through the 60-day regular session.

So far, "lawmakers have fulfilled predictions that they would be taking it slow this year," the article said.

Just one bill has passed to Gov. Joe Manchin: his school calendar proposal. Another thirty have been exchanged between the House and Senate, with delegates advancing all but seven of those.

"Lawmakers have said the tight budget limits what they can do," the article said. "It's also an election year, when legislators are reluctant to raise contentious issues."

Update: AP spoke to legislative leaders about their pace this session. The article also notes that the legislation exchanged between the chambers is not the only indication of the session's activity.

"An ongoing analysis by The Associated Press shows that House and Senate committees have so far considered and advanced nearly 300 bills," the article said "A dozen of these measures have each cleared two committees."