Tomblin takes oath of office - Beckley, Bluefield & Lewisburg News, Weather, Sports

Tomblin takes oath of office

Posted: Updated:

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin has touted accomplishments made under his administration and vowed to continue seeking improvements over a full 4-year term.

Tomblin gave an 18-minute speech Monday after taking his public oath of office at a ceremony on the south plaza of the state Capitol, overlooking the Kanawha River

Tomblin mentioned the state's balanced budget and rainy day fund. He touted tax cuts, including the state's food tax that is being eliminated next July. And he said the state is less than four years from paying off its workers compensation debt, which he called "an albatross around our economic neck."

Tomblin vowed to protect West Virginia coal and drew applause when he vowed to fight to get the federal government "off our backs and leave us alone."