A column by Phil Kabler of The Charleston Gazette CHARLESTON, W.Va. — One word that best describes the 2014 regular session of the Legislature: abysmal. With the possible exception of the Future Fund, the Legislature did little to encourage businesses or families to relocate to the state. In fact, legislators[Read More…]
Month: March 2014
The Associated Press shares 10 things to know Monday, March 10
Dorothy Abernathy, The Associated Press bureau chief for West Virginia and Virginia, shares the 10 things you need to know Monday, March 10, 2014. Look for full stories on these late-breaking news items, upcoming events and stories in West Virginia newspapers. 1. DEBRIS PROVES ELUSIVE IN MALAYSIA AIRLINES CRASH Dozens[Read More…]
‘Our Children, Our Future’ coalition fights for state budget dollars
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — With the Legislature preparing for its special budget session, the Our Children, Our Future Campaign to End Child Poverty is still arguing for a larger investment in the future of the state’s children. According to this statewide coalition of advocates for children and families, Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin’s proposed budget cuts funding by $980,272 to children’s[Read More…]
Coalition to end child poverty makes its voice heard at Capitol
CHARLESTON, W.VA. — Organizers estimate up to 800 people from across West Virginia, including busloads of children, came to Charleston in February to support legislative proposals aimed at ending child poverty. “Kids and Families Day at the Legislature” had something for everyone, from free T-shirts to discussions with lawmakers about pending[Read More…]
Tom Miller’s Legislative Update: Time running out on legislators
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Legislators were running out of time here last week during the final days of the 2014 regular 60-day session that ended at midnight March 8 on the critical legislation that is intended to protect drinking water in the state as a result of the Jan. 9 chemical leak that contaminated Elk River near Charleston and fouled[Read More…]
The Associated Press shares the 10 things you need to know today, Friday, March 7
Dorothy Abernathy, The Associated Press bureau chief for West Virginia and Virginia, shares the 10 things you need to know Friday, March 7, 2014. Look for full stories on these late-breaking news items, upcoming events and stories in West Virginia newspapers. 1. HOW OBAMA IS PUSHING BACK AT PUTIN IN[Read More…]
Abortion bill passes Senate Judiciary Committee
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A bill that will criminalize a doctor who performs an abortion after 20 weeks of gestation passed the Senate Committee on the Judiciary Thursday evening on a muffled, split voice vote. The bill, which sets out to protect a fetus from pain by prohibiting abortions after 20[Read More…]
National TV shows to feature Skylar Neese case
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The murder of Star City teen Skylar Neese will be covered on two national television shows in March. At 8 p.m. Friday, March 7, WBOY, “Dateline NBC” will air its show. On Comcast that is Channel 12, WBOY. Also on NBC, on Monday, March 10, the “Dr.[Read More…]
House panel alters Senate chief’s Future Fund bill
WHEELING, W.Va. – The House Finance Committee on Wednesday approved Senate President Jeff Kessler’s West Virginia Future Fund proposal, but not before making several significant changes that would bring coal revenue into play and only allow investment in the fund when financial times are good. The bill is scheduled to[Read More…]
Senate panel won’t take up concealed gun confidentiality
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The Senate Judiciary Committee will not take up this session a bill that would make lists of people with conceal carry permits confidential, Chairman Corey Palumbo, D-Kanawha, said Thursday. The bill (HB4310) would also have made lists of applicants for those permits confidential. “There’s some interest among[Read More…]