FAIRMONT —
Soon after Roman Prezioso was first elected to the West Virginia Senate back in 1997, he established as one of his personal goals attaining a major chairmanship in that body.
A position that would not only benefit the state but the people of Marion County as well.
On Wednesday, the Marion County lawmaker achieved his goal. He was named chairman of the Senate Finance Committee — one of the most powerful positions in the entire Senate.
Those who have worked alongside him in the Senate are well aware of Prezioso’s capabilities.
“I’ve worked alongside Roman for years, and I can’t think of a more qualified individual in the Senate or state to lead the finance committee,” stated Sen. Jeff Kessler of Marshall County who, by coincidence, also represents the western end of Marion County. “Roman will be a crucial part of the leadership team that moves our state forward.”
Kessler is currently the acting president of the state Senate.
A man who has watched legislators come and go as well as committee chairman for many years had this take on Prezioso’s new position.
“It’s probably the biggest committee post in the Legislature,” Oce Smith said. “Not the most powerful but the most powerful committee chairmanship. Everything that goes through the legislature involves money. Everything will be passed through the judiciary, agriculture, banking and finance, and education committees with a second reference to finance. So they are pretty well involved. It’s a powerful committee. And although he had a powerful committee, it dealt mainly with health and human resources.”
The longtime sergeant-at-arms of the West Virginia Legislature says “in some ways it’s more powerful because everything actually passes through his committee. The others call a lot of the shots, but they have to check with him first.”
Asked if the Marion County native had been well groomed for the position, Smith noted that Prezioso “has been very observant of what happens (in the finance committee).”
Back in July, Prezioso stepped down from the adult learning leadership position he had held in Marion County for the past 32 years and also from the educational system he has been with for just under 40 years. He retired from his position with the Marion County Board of Education to devote even more time to his duties in the Legislature.
Prezioso has been a member of the West Virginia Legislature since 1988 and has been in the state Senate since 1996.
We know that Prezioso will make his presence known as chairman of the State Finance Committee just as he has done with the numerous other positions he has held in the West Virginia Legislature. He’s a very good legislator, as the many people who have returned him to office each time his name appears on the ballot are well aware.
Opinion
Sen. Prezioso sure to make presence known as Finance Committee chairman
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