By Phil Kabler For The West Virginia Press Association CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Unlike the past two legislative sessions, when the new Republican leadership jumped into each new session with the passage of a flurry of bills, the 2017 regular session has gotten off to a comparatively slow start. After 10[Read More…]
Month: February 2017
Commerce secretary seeks $105 million
By Rusty Marks The State Journal CHARLESTON, W.Va. — While members of the Legislature are struggling to figure out how to plug an estimated $500 million hole in the upcoming state budget, state Commerce Secretary Woody Thrasher is trying to talk them into giving him $105 million. Thrasher told members[Read More…]
Proposed bills would have affect on Eastern Panhandle
By Danyel VanReenen The Journal of Martinsburg CHARLESTON, W.Va. — There are multiple bills in the state House and Senate that would affect the Eastern Panhandle if implemented. Sen. Craig Blair, R-Berkeley, has introduced and supported several of those bills. Known as the “Right of Eminent Domain,” SB 245 is one bill[Read More…]
Column: Clock ticking on W.Va. budget
By Phil Kabler The Charleston Gazette-Mail CHARLESTON, W.Va. — With the regular session now two-tenths over and with no budget plan in sight, it’s probably time to dust off the budget impasse countdown clock. When the session started Feb. 8, Gov. Jim Justice offered two options to close the budget crisis: Apocalyptic[Read More…]
WV reps celebrate Trump’s Stream Protection Rule overturn
By ANN ALI The State Journal CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia’s congressional representatives were front and center Feb. 16 when President Donald Trump signed the congressional resolution of disapproval to overturn the Stream Protection Rule. The West Virginia Coal Association issued a statement thanking Trump “for officially overturning a job-killing[Read More…]
U.S. Rep. David McKinley to promote West Virginia coal in India
By JANET METZNER The Intelligencer/Wheeling News-Register WHEELING, W.Va. — U.S. Rep David McKinley said exporting American coal to India could be the short-term boost the industry needs until clean-coal technology is inexpensive enough to revive it in the long-term. McKinley, R-W.Va., said he’s working to strengthen his relationship with government[Read More…]
WV Senate takes up bill to combat ‘revenge porn’
By RUSTY MARKS The State Journal CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Members of the West Virginia Senate are considering a bill designed to combat “revenge porn.” Members of the Senate judiciary committee voted unanimously on Friday, Feb. 17, 2017 to send a bill to the Senate floor that would make it a[Read More…]
Legislators target local government websites, including Ohio County
By JANET METZNER The Intelligencer/Wheeling News-Register WHEELING, W.Va. — It’s not unusual for West Virginia local government websites to contain outdated information — or lack important items such as meeting schedules and minutes, said Delegate Gary Howell. To ensure more timely information online, Howell, R-Mineral, sponsored House Bill 2444 that,[Read More…]
‘Emmaleigh’s Law’ would double child abuse penalties in West Virginia
By EVAN BEVINS The Parkersburg News and Sentinel CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Senate president this week introduced a bill that doubles the penalties for child abuse offenses in memory of a young Jackson County girl who died last year after being sexually assaulted. Senate Bill 288, or Emmaleigh’s[Read More…]
WV Senate bill would give prosecutors arrest powers, allow concealed carry
By RUSTY MARKS The State Journal CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Members of the West Virginia Senate are expected to vote Friday, Feb. 17, on a bill that would give prosecuting attorneys and assistant prosecutors arrest powers and allow them to carry concealed weapons while in other states. The bill, SB230, would[Read More…]
