By JESS MANCINI The Parkersburg News and Sentinel PARKERSBURG, W.Va. — The governor of West Virginia Thursday said he wants authority from the Legislature to furlough state employees by executive order because of the budget crisis. “Because West Virginia’s finances are such a dog’s mess, furlough legislation is a necessary[Read More…]
Month: February 2017
‘Devastating:’ Member of Justice Cabinet discusses West Virginia’s financial situation
JESS MANCINI The Parkersburg News and Sentinel PARKERSBURG, W.Va. — How bad would it be if the West Virginia Legislature doesn’t go with the governor’s plan to raise revenue? Worse than bad, according to Department of Veterans Assistance Secretary Dennis E. Davis. “Let me start by saying, devastating,” Davis said. Davis[Read More…]
Governor releases education plan
By ANDREA LANNOM The Register-Herald CHARLESTON, W.Va. — At the behest of Gov. Jim Justice, a bill abolishing Regional Education Services Agencies and restructuring the state Department of Education was introduced in the state Senate Thursday. Justice said his plan’s goal is to reduce control from Charleston. Senate Bill 420[Read More…]
Justice presents Senate with bill to revamp West Virginia’s education system
By RUSTY MARKS The State Journal CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice has asked members of the state Senate to run a bill that would completely overhaul the state’s education system and return more control to local school boards. State Senate President Mitch Carmichael, R-Jackson, and Senate Minority[Read More…]
Legislature Roundup
The Dominion Post Court of Claims renamed CHARLESTON, W.Va — The House of Delegates split along party lines, after a lengthy debate, to pass a bill renaming the Court of Claims. HB 2447 renames the court as the Claims Commission and retitles the three judges as commissioners. Judiciary chair John[Read More…]
Justice unveils education bill
By RYAN QUINN Charleston Gazette-Mail CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice wants to eliminate an agency that reviews public schools and public school systems, nix the eight multi-county Regional Education Service Agencies, remove the mandate for schools to have 180 separate “instructional days” and erase the requirement that[Read More…]
Senator Richard Ojeda introduces medical cannabis bill
BY OWEN WELLS The Logan Banner CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Senator Richard Ojeda has introduced a bill that would legalize marijuana for medicinal purposes in the state. Ojeda was joined by senators Robert Beach, Douglas Facemire, Ronald Miller, Corey Palumbo, Mike Romano, Patricia Rucker, Ron Stollings, Chandler Swope, Mike Woelfel and[Read More…]
Pipeline survey takings bill delayed for now
By KEN WARD JR. Charleston Gazette-Mail CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The oil and gas industry’s push for legislation overturning a state Supreme Court ruling that protects property owners from unwanted surveys and other activities on their land hit at least a brief snag Thursday, when a House committee delayed action after[Read More…]
Senate President says WVSOM privatization a dead issue
By ANDREA LANNOM The Register-Herald CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Senate President Mitch Carmichael said he has no interest in running a bill that would transfer the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine to a not-for-profit entity. Sen. Craig Blair, R-Berkeley, was the lead sponsor of SB 184, which was introduced the[Read More…]
Legislature shaking up testing In West Virginia classrooms: Committee passes ACT testing bill
By JOCEYLN KING The Intelligencer and Wheeling News-Register WHEELING, W.Va. — Legislation that replaces the current form of standardized testing in West Virginia with ACT testing passed its first hurdle Thursday in Charleston. Members of the Senate Education Committee approved Senate Bill 18 by voice vote, sending it next to[Read More…]
