By JAKE JARVIS
NCWV Media
(West Virginia Legislative Photography photo by Perry Bennett)
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Delegates approved a bill Thursday morning to make the state’s home rule program permanent after voting to strip a provision that allows for the public to hold referendums on local laws passed through the program.
Senate Bill 4 passed on an 87-11 vote. Several delegates objected to the removal of the provision, which would have allowed 30 percent of the municipality’s registered voters to petition the local government to recall a law.
“Mr. Speaker, I cannot pass a vote for this bill,” said Del. Tom Bibby, R-Berkeley. “I intended from the beginning to vote for home rule, but this is not home rule. This is an aberration of home rule. It takes the power of the people away with this amendment.”
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