CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Senate passed a bill Wednesday that would make certain establishments exempt from indoor smoking bans if they obtained permission from their county commission. Senate Bill 109 passed 22-12, marking one of the few times in the 2015 session that the result didn’t break along[Read More…]
Month: February 2015
Effort to drop gun permits a crime in the making
An editorial from The Dominion Post MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The gun lobby cannot miss in this session of the state Legislature. In recent weeks, we have pointed out the numerous bills that gun-friendly lawmakers think our state needs. Never mind there’s no outcry for any of this legislation by Neighborhood Watch groups,[Read More…]
Site sought for another WV gas-fired power plant
CLARKSBURG, W.Va. — Moundsville Power LLC, the company behind the proposed 549-megawatt-capacity natural-gas-fired power plant in Marshall County, is looking to expand to a second location. “There’s just an ocean of natural gas sitting under West Virginia,” said Andy Dorn, partner for Moundsville Power. “What we’re doing over in Moundsville[Read More…]
Nurses seek regulatory relief from lawmakers
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Advanced-practice registered nurses from across West Virginia waited in a small committee room in the state Capitol for the second consecutive day Tuesday, hopeful that the Senate Health and Human Resources committee would forward a bill that would expand their ability to do their jobs without the[Read More…]
W.Va. Senate passes late-term abortion ban
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — For a second straight year, the West Virginia Legislature is poised to pass legislation banning late-term abortions in the state, with the Senate passing the ban (HB 2568) Wednesday on a 29-5 vote. Senators rejected an amendment by Sen. Corey Palumbo, D-Kanawha, to make the ban apply[Read More…]
Prevailing wage bill headed to full House
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A bill that changes prevailing wage in West Virginia is on its way to the full House of Delegates. The House Government Organization Committee on Wednesday voted 17-8 with only one Democrat voting yes to report the bill to the floor. Senate Bill 361 seeks to modify[Read More…]
House panel advances bill repealing local LGBT laws
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A House committee on Wednesday advanced a bill that would nullify local nondiscrimination ordinances over strong objections from Democrats and lobbyists who said the proposal amounted to “legislative gay bashing.” House Bill 2881, called the West Virginia Intrastate Commerce Improvement Act, passed out of committee 16-8, with[Read More…]
Mercer judge sends rehab director candidate back to treatment
PRINCETON, W.Va. — A Mercer County man who had been in line to serve as director of a drug rehabilitation center under development in Bluefield, was placed back on probation in Mercer County Circuit Court on Wednesday. Jeffrey Allen Keatley, 47, of Mercer County, tested positive on Feb. 14, for[Read More…]
The Associated Press shares 10 things to know Thursday, Feb. 26
Dorothy Abernathy, The Associated Press bureau chief for West Virginia and Virginia, shares the 10 things you need to know Thursday, Feb. 26, 2015. Look for full stories on these late-breaking news items, upcoming events and stories in West Virginia newspapers. 1. FEDS FOIL ISLAMIC STATE PLOT Two men are[Read More…]
Senate President Bill Cole Column: State government getting things done.
“Is the glass half-full or half-empty?” This is a question I have had to ask of myself and of the other 33 Senators many times during this Legislative Session. Of course, the answer depends on each individual’s perspective. I’ve been reading reports that say things are moving a little too[Read More…]
