W.Va. Senator Maynard challenges SB 261 plan to reduce magistrate judges in McDowell County By Erica Young West Virginia Press Association Capitol Reporter CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Senator Mark Maynard, R-Wayne, sparked debate today at the Senate Judiciary Committee meeting when he proposed an amendment to SB 261, dealing with county[Read More…]
Government
Education omnibus bill passes West Virginia Senate’s Committee of the Whole
By STEVEN ALLEN ADAMS The Parkersburg News and Sentinel CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The Committee of the Whole of the West Virginia Senate Thursday quickly passed a sweeping education reform package with no amendments offered from Senate Democrats, no discussion and with two Republicans breaking ranks. Senate Bill 451, the education[Read More…]
West Virginia Senate education bill’s proposed education savings accounts explained
By RYAN QUINN Charleston Gazette-Mail CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The state Senate’s education overhaul bill would create something called education savings accounts, which only operate in five other states. Here’s how the legislation (SB 451) would design West Virginia’s program: The state would give parents about $3,200 annually to educate each[Read More…]
Pierpont Community and Technical College president Johnny Moore reacts to free community college bill
By EDDIE TRIZZINO Times West Virginian FAIRMONT, W.Va. — The West Virginia Senate has unanimously passed Senate Bill 284, which would make community college tuition free for students who meet requirements. For community colleges themselves, this bill would be a game changer in terms of enrollment and student potential, as[Read More…]
House Energy Committee looks at funding for plugging abandoned oil and gas wells
By STEVEN ALLEN ADAMS The Parkersburg News and Sentinel CHARLESTON, W. Va. — A new bill could help plug abandoned oil and natural gas wells that dot West Virginia’s countryside, but it could hurt the budgets of small counties. The House Energy Committee passed House Bill 2673 Tuesday, creating the[Read More…]
Medical marijuana banking fix clears first hurdle in WV House
By JAKE ZUCKERMAN Charleston Gazette-Mail CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Before a House committee passed a bill Thursday designed to fix banking issues with a looming medical marijuana program, lawmakers amended in language to stave off perceived threats from an “overzealous” federal prosecutor. The House Banking and Insurance Committee passed an edited[Read More…]
West Virginia House passes foster care bill
By LORI KERSEY Charleston Gazette-Mail CHARLESTON, W.Va. — After nearly an hour of discussion Thursday, the House of Delegates voted 67-32 to pass a bill making changes to the state’s foster care system. House Bill 2010 includes a provision that moves West Virginia’s foster care children, those receiving adoption assistance,[Read More…]
Around the Rotunda: Legislative, committee schedule for Friday, Feb. 1
Watch WV Legislature Live each day at http://www.legis.state.wv.us/live.cfm Friday, Feb. 1, 2019 24th Day of the Legislative Session Rotunda and social activities: Food and Farm Coalition, Upper House Rotunda Cybersecurity Day, (BRIM/State Privacy Office/Office of Technology), Upper Senate Rotunda; WV Physical Therapy Association Day at the Legislature. SENATE: Senate to convene at 11 a.m. On[Read More…]
In marathon hearing, rare committee discusses charter school, West Virginia education overhaul bill
By JAKE ZUCKERMAN Charleston Gazette-Mail CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A rarely seen mega-committee comprised of the entire state Senate pored over 133 pages, line by line, of a bill that would overhaul West Virginia’s education system. For the fourth time in state history, the Senate dissolved into a “Committee of the[Read More…]
West Virginia BOE votes to oppose certain points of omnibus education bill
By JORDAN NELSON The Register-Herald CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Board of Education (WVBE) met in emergency session Wednesday to take a stance on the Senate Education Reform Bill, opposing many points within the bill, including charter schools, educations savings accounts and payroll protection. “Given the events that have[Read More…]
