Legislature 2008: The Also-Rans

As bills have until Wednesday to cross over from the chamber where they started, several appear likely to miss that crucial deadline:

GAMBLING: Lawmakers did little with legislation this session that would have allowed for a fifth racetrack in the state. "Unwillingness by Gov. Joe Manchin and legislative leaders to allow another casino in West Virginia has a businessman who proposed building (the) huge horse theme park and racetrack now threatening to build it in Kentucky," The Charleston Daily Mail reports.

GAS DRILLING: Advocates of a "Surface Owners Bill of Rights" appear pessimistic about its chances, The Register-Herald of Beckley reports.

MINE WHISTLEBLOWERS: The Senate Judiciary Committee scuttled proposed protections for miners who speak out about unsafe conditions -- while also trying to prevent their vote from being recorded. The Associated Press was there, as was Public Broadcasting (with audio).