By PHIL KABLER Charleston Gazette-Mail CHARLESTON, W.Va. — As always, a variety of bills met their demise in the final days and hours of the 2019 regular session of the Legislature, including bills that would have capped pensions and extended session pay for legislators. Senate Bill 11 would have changed[Read More…]
Government
West Virginia legislative session ends with bill successes, failures
By STEVEN ALLEN ADAMS The Parkersburg News and Sentinel CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Senate and House of Delegates wrapped up its 2019 legislative session Saturday night with more than 260 bills having passed both bodies. More than 14 percent of the 1,823 bills introduced in the Senate and[Read More…]
Cabell lawmakers reflect on wild West Virginia legislative session
By TAYLOR STUCK The Herald-Dispatch CHARLESTON, W.Va. — As lawmakers reflected on what one delegate called a “tumultuous” session, Republicans and Democrats both agreed some good came from the past 60 days. Home rule was a success for all eight Cabell County representatives. The Municipal Home Rule program is now[Read More…]
West Virginia women’s health bills head to governor’s desk
By ERIN BECK The Register-Herald CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Two bills that health care providers and advocates say will result in healthier women and babies in West Virginia are on their way to the governor’s desk for a signature. A women’s health advocacy group called House Bill 2583, the Family Planning Access Act,[Read More…]
W.Va. Senate President Carmichael commends Legislature for passing Senate Bill 1
Release from Office of W.Va. Senate President: CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Senate Bill 1, increasing access to career education and workforce training, completed legislation on Thursday. “This is a tremendous day for West Virginia. This program will change lives, and it will give our state a needed push as we continue[Read More…]
W.Va. Legislature again passes balances budget without need for extended session
Release from W.Va. House of Delegates: CHARLESTON, W.Va. – For the second year in a row, the West Virginia Legislature has passed a balanced, fiscally responsible budget within the confines of the 60-day regular session – saving taxpayers the cost of an extended budget session. The Senate passed the amended[Read More…]
Opinion: No progress on implementation of Automatic Voter Registration
By Delegate Andrew Robinson D-Kanawha County, 36th District In 2016, the West Virginia Legislature passed legislation to implement Automatic Voter Registration. Automatic Voter Registration changes our voter registration process at the Division of Motor Vehicles from drivers opting-in to becoming a registered voter to allowing those not interested to opt-out of registering[Read More…]
Delegates pass compromise budget between West Virginia House, Senate
By STEVEN ALLEN ADAMS The Parkersburg News and Sentinel CHARLESTON, W.Va. — In a potential deal that could mean no extended session, the House of Delegates passed an amendment to its budget proposal that bridges the differences with the state Senate. The House amended House Bill 2020, the budget submitted[Read More…]
WV governor gets free-college tuition measure
By RYAN QUINN Charleston Gazette-Mail CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Senate agreed 33-0 Thursday to the House of Delegates’ amendments to the free community college tuition bill, sending the legislation to the governor for his signature or veto. Sen. Robert Plymale, D-Wayne, was the only senator absent for Thursday’s[Read More…]
Social Security tax exemption for West Virginia seniors nears fruition
By PHIL KABLER Charleston Gazette-Mail CHARLESTON, W.Va. — With West Virginia seemingly poised to phase out the state income tax on Social Security retirement benefits, Minnesota and Vermont could be the last states left that fully tax that benefit. The West Virginia Senate on Thursday voted 33-0 to pass House[Read More…]
