CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- As lawmakers returned to Charleston on Tuesday to work on the state budget, Gov. Joe Manchin and legislative leaders continued talks to whittle down a list of bills they could take up afterward.

After the Legislature finishes with the state spending plan, Manchin wants a special session to revisit legislation that failed during the regular session that ended in April. 

On Tuesday, the governor met with Senate President Earl Ray Tomblin and House Speaker Rick Thompson to discuss an agenda for that special session. Legislators will caucus about the matter Wednesday.

"It's up to the governor what's on the call," said Thompson, D-Wayne. "But he is seeking our input."

They're considering 17 bills, Thompson said Tuesday evening. Manchin only wants to take up items that most legislators will agree on beforehand.

"The governor made it clear, if we are in agreement, he'll put it in on the special session call," said Tomblin, D-Logan. "I'm not sure if there will be agreement on 19 or 20 items. It will probably be 12 or 13 items."

Manchin told reporters he expects to finalize the agenda Wednesday or Thursday. He added that he hopes the special session will begin by Monday.  

"I've said all along that we want this thing to move very quickly," he said.

Manchin has already announced three bills he wants to place on the agenda: legislation to expand the Office of Coalfield Community Development's authority to develop post-mining land use plans for mountaintop-removal sites; a plan to help third- and eight-graders who are struggling in school; and a proposal to give tax credits to high-tech companies that relocate to West Virginia.

On Tuesday, Manchin mentioned several education initiatives from his original agenda, including a controversial plan to change how teachers are hired, and a measure to ensure that school children gets 180 days of instruction each school year.

"We're looking at the whole education package," Manchin said.

But Tomblin and Thompson both said it's unlikely the school calendar bill would be placed on the agenda, as no agreement has been reached on that yet.

"There's a lot of forces out there that don't want anything to change," Tomblin said.

During the regular session, the state's two teachers' unions opposed the calendar legislation, which would have cut out provisions in current law that prevent school from starting before Aug. 26 or ending after June 6.

Reach Alison Knezevich at alis...@wvgazette.com or 304-348-1240. Reach Phil Kabler at ph...@wvgazette.com or 304-348-1220. 

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- As lawmakers returned to Charleston on Tuesday to work on the state budget, Gov. Joe Manchin and legislative leaders continued talks to whittle down a list of bills they could take up afterward.

After the Legislature finishes with the state spending plan, Manchin wants a special session to revisit legislation that failed during the regular session that ended in April. 

On Tuesday, the governor met with Senate President Earl Ray Tomblin and House Speaker Rick Thompson to discuss an agenda for that special session. Legislators will caucus about the matter Wednesday.

"It's up to the governor what's on the call," said Thompson, D-Wayne. "But he is seeking our input."

They're considering 17 bills, Thompson said Tuesday evening. Manchin only wants to take up items that most legislators will agree on beforehand.

"The governor made it clear, if we are in agreement, he'll put it in on the special session call," said Tomblin, D-Logan. "I'm not sure if there will be agreement on 19 or 20 items. It will probably be 12 or 13 items."

Manchin told reporters he expects to finalize the agenda Wednesday or Thursday. He added that he hopes the special session will begin by Monday.  

"I've said all along that we want this thing to move very quickly," he said.

Manchin has already announced three bills he wants to place on the agenda: legislation to expand the Office of Coalfield Community Development's authority to develop post-mining land use plans for mountaintop-removal sites; a plan to help third- and eight-graders who are struggling in school; and a proposal to give tax credits to high-tech companies that relocate to West Virginia.

On Tuesday, Manchin mentioned several education initiatives from his original agenda, including a controversial plan to change how teachers are hired, and a measure to ensure that school children gets 180 days of instruction each school year.

"We're looking at the whole education package," Manchin said.

But Tomblin and Thompson both said it's unlikely the school calendar bill would be placed on the agenda, as no agreement has been reached on that yet.

"There's a lot of forces out there that don't want anything to change," Tomblin said.

During the regular session, the state's two teachers' unions opposed the calendar legislation, which would have cut out provisions in current law that prevent school from starting before Aug. 26 or ending after June 6.

Reach Alison Knezevich at alis...@wvgazette.com or 304-348-1240. Reach Phil Kabler at ph...@wvgazette.com or 304-348-1220.