From the Parkersburg News and Sentinel: Happy Easter! Today marks the centerpiece of the ecclesiastical year, the date on which most Christians celebrate the foundation of their faith — and on which most of the world celebrates the wonderful return of sunshine and spring as we throw off the cold,[Read More…]
Month: April 2017
Gov. Justice working through legislation
By LACIE PIERSON The Herald-Dispatch of Huntington CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A week after the end of the legislative session, Gov. Jim Justice is about one-fifth of the way through the 262 bills approved by the 83rd West Virginia Legislature. In total, 130 bills originating in the House of Delegates and[Read More…]
Opinion: Statehouse Beat – Budget search misses real chances to save money
By Phil Kabler The Charleston Gazette-Mail During the session, Gov. Jim Justice talked often about how the state cannot continue to “kick the can down the road,” his metaphor for failing to address systemic problems with state finances. The Legislature, in passing a hastily thrown together budget bill (House Bill[Read More…]
Breakfast and Bills: Eastern Panhandle lawmakers meet with constituents to discuss legislative session
By Jeff McCoy The Journal of Martinsburg SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. — Senators, delegates and constituents alike sat down for an intimate breakfast hosted by the League of Women Voters of Jefferson County on Saturday, which allowed legislative leaders to discuss issues of interest. “It’s the league’s mission to foster interaction and[Read More…]
Opinion: In the wake of tragedy, hold friends and family close
By Samantha Perry The Bluefield Daily Telegraph “Blink of an eye.” It’s a phrase commonly heard throughout our newsroom — one that denotes the randomness of the tragedy of the moment. Death, too often, is a fixture in our office. Whether the byproduct of crime, domestic violence or chaos[Read More…]
Editorial: Historic-building tax credit worth revisiting
From The Herald-Dispatch of Huntington: West Virginia’s lawmakers, looking squarely at a $500 million budget deficit, spent plenty of time during the recent legislative session talking about how sparking economic activity is the longer-term answer to the state’s financial struggles. There’s no question they are correct about that; lack of[Read More…]
Victim advocates view W.Va. legislative session as mixed bag
By Erin Beck The Charleston Gazette Mail CHARLESTON, W.Va. — While several bills meant to support victims of sexual abuse, sexual assault and domestic violence were successful during the 2017 legislative session, several that were supported by advocates and passed the Senate died in the House Judiciary Committee. The following lists[Read More…]
Washington ‘unpredictable’: Senator Tim Kaine talks Trump, opioid crisis, budget cuts
By CHARLES OWENS Bluefield Daily Telegraph WASHINGTON, D.C. — Life in Washington under the Trump administration can best be described as “unpredictable,” according to U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, D-Va. “I think the first thing that comes to mind is it is just very unpredictable,” Kaine, who was Hillary Clinton’s vice[Read More…]
Opinion: Caputo, other delegates fight for Freedom of Information
From the Times West Virginian of Fairmont: By Don Smith The West Virginia Press Association Since the end of the regular 60-day session of the Legislature on Saturday, West Virginians, understandably, have been focused on the continuing budget discussions and the 262 bills approved during the session. However, as is[Read More…]
Legislators to address budget in special session
By Andrea Lannom The Register-Herald of Beckley CHARLESTON, W.Va — Heading into a special session to build a budget for next year, leadership in both chambers of the West Virginia Legislature and Gov. Jim Justice’s office will be looking for common ground to start negotiations. Even that seems challenging at this[Read More…]
