By RUSTY MARKS The State Journal CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Members of the West Virginia House of Delegates and Senate on Thursday, Feb. 9 introduced separate bills aimed at heading off restrictions of firearms. Delegate Michael Folk, R-Berkeley, and Delegate Cindy Frich, R-Monongalia, introduced a bill that would effectively make invalid[Read More…]
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Leaders blast Justice’s tax plan
By JANET METZNER The Weirton Daily Times CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The Republican leaders of the West Virginia Senate and House of Delegates bemoaned Gov. Jim Justice’s plan to balance the general fund budget through $450 million in tax increases instead of honoring campaign promises to “right-size” government. Leaders plan to outright reject parts[Read More…]
Budget officials: Use caution with Rainy Day Fund
By ANDREA LANNOM Times West Virginian CHARLESTON, W.Va. — State budget officials cautioned legislators not to rely on one-time money to resolve the budget deficit, saying doing so could put the state in the same situation years down the road. Mike McKown, director of the state Budget Office, and Mark[Read More…]
Justice’s budget would cut fairs, festivals funding
By LORI KERSEY Charleston Gazette-Mail West Virginia’s fairs and festivals and other arts programs would have their state funding stripped away in a budget proposed by Gov. Jim Justice. Justice’s proposed budget calls for a $4.3 million cut to the state Division of Culture and History, which includes the West[Read More…]
House votes to require oath before committee testimonies
By PHIL KABLER Charleston Gazette-Mail CHARLESTON, W.Va. — With the voice-vote adoption of a House Resolution this week, the House of Delegates revived and expanded a rarely used 41-year-old rule allowing House committees to require persons appearing before them to be sworn in and testify under oath. Unlike the 1976[Read More…]
W.Va. educators consider Gov. Jim Justice’s ACT proposal
By JANET METZNER The Inter-Mountain CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Gov. Jim Justice’s idea to adopt the ACT as the only statewide assessment for West Virginia high school students leaves some educators questioning how it will be used and whether it’s the best idea for all graduates. Because the ACT assessment focuses[Read More…]
Eastern Panhandle representatives respond to proposed budget
By DANYEL VANREENEN The Journal CHARLESTON, W.Va. — All state representatives knew West Virginia faced a budget crisis, and many anticipated Governor Jim Justice to announce budget cuts and reform. However, Eastern Panhandle representatives seemed surprised by Justice’s drastic call for tax increases and more state spending. Delegate Paul Espinosa, R-Jefferson,[Read More…]
Justice: ‘Didn’t like’ making state cuts, hates tax increases
By LACIE PIERSON The Herald-Dispatch CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Whether or not he has the support of the members of the Republican-majority West Virginia Legislature, Democratic Gov. Jim Justice doubled down on his message Thursday that he was interested in making tough decisions and hearing additional ideas to balance the state’s budget[Read More…]
Oliverio: Cuts to RESA will remove local control
By MICHAEL ERB The Parkersburg News and Sentinel PARKERSBURG, W.Va. — The head of RESA 5 says a plan to eliminate state funding for regional service agencies will have a ripple effect on communities and send local control of RESAs back to Charleston. Gov. Jim Justice this week unveiled his[Read More…]
Justice’s transportation plan: King Coal Highway included
By CHARLES OWENS Bluefield Daily Telegraph BLUEFIELD, W.Va. — The King Coal Highway has cleared another hurdle in Charleston. Supporters of the future Interstate 73/74/75 corridor were quick to point out Thursday that the Mercer County segment of the project was prominently displayed in Gov. Jim Justice’s listing of priority transportation projects during his State[Read More…]