The Herald-Dispatch CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A provision in the recently passed state budget bill will help expand to all 55 counties a West Virginia State University program that aids grandparents who are raising their grandchildren. House Bill 2020, the Fiscal Year 2020 budget bill, includes $300,000 in funding for WVSU’s[Read More…]
Government
WV Governor vetoes ACT choice bill, citing law requiring same test for 4 years
By RYAN QUINN Charleston Gazette-Mail CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Gov. Jim Justice says he vetoed Senate Bill 624, which would have let counties use exams other than the SAT as their 11th-grade standardized test, partly because it “directly conflicts” with existing West Virginia law. His written veto message, released Thursday, says:[Read More…]
Coal tax cuts among bills signed by WV Gov. Justice Wednesday
By PHIL KABLER Charleston Gazette-Mail CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Two bills giving tax breaks to the coal industry were among bills Gov. Jim Justice signed into law Wednesday, ahead of a midnight deadline to act on bills passed in the 2019 regular session. Among the bills Justice signed Wednesday is legislation[Read More…]
WV Gov. Justice comes to Marion County to sign coal bills
By EDDIE TRIZZINO Times West Virginian LOGANSPORT, W.Va. – Gov. Jim Justice traveled to Marion County Wednesday to sign three new bills he believes will boost the coal industry statewide. One bill would reduce the severance tax on thermal or steam coal, one would provide for a rebate of the[Read More…]
Hancock County Delegate Randy Swartzmiller: Add Social Security Tax Bill to special session agenda
By JOSELYN KING The Intelligencer and Wheeling News-Register WHEELING, W.Va. — Delegate Randy Swartzmiller is asking for West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice’s help to make certain no seniors in West Virginia will pay taxes on Social Security benefits. Swartzmiller, D-Hancock, has written a letter to Justice requesting he extend the[Read More…]
WV Gov. Justice signs medical marijuana banking bill into law
NCWV Media CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Gov. Jim Justice signed House Bill 2538 into law Tuesday, which will ensure West Virginia remains in compliance with federal law while handling funds associated with the state’s medical cannabis program. To achieve that goal, the bill allows the state treasurer to select one or more financial institutions[Read More…]
With Wednesday deadline looming, West Virginia Gov. Justice has 175-plus bills pending action
By PHIL KABLER Charleston Gazette-Mail CHARLESTON, W.Va. — With a Wednesday deadline looming to act on bills passed in the 2019 regular session of the West Virginia Legislature, Gov. Jim Justice has more than 175 bills pending, including several high-profile and controversial measures. That includes the keynote bills from each[Read More…]
W.Va. Democrat legislators requesting veto of campaign finance legislation – SB 622
CHARLESTON, W.Va. —Legislators from the State Senate and House of Delegates joined together today to call on Governor Jim Justice to veto Senate Bill 622, the campaign finance reform bill recently passed by the Legislature. Senators Glenn Jeffries, D-Putnam and Richard Lindsay, D-Kanawha, along with Delegates Andrew Byrd, D-Kanawha; Joe[Read More…]
Opinion: Senator Blair – WV Senate Bill 622 is true campaign finance reform
By Senator Craig Blair, R-Berkeley During the past four years, one of the Legislature’s top priorities has been to modernize West Virginia’s laws and to take outdated and burdensome regulations off our books. We have succeeded in making West Virginia friendlier to businesses and in adopting policies that are competitive[Read More…]
Some Republicans call on W.Va. Senate to stand #18Strong
By MICHAEL ERB The Parkersburg News and Sentinel PARKERSBURG, W.Va. — Some Republicans are taking a page from the playbook of West Virginia teachers and service personnel, calling for the state Senate to stay #18Strong as they look forward to the coming legislative special session on education reform. A handful[Read More…]