By PHIL KABLER Charleston Gazette-Mail CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Senate President Mitch Carmichael, R-Jackson, said the Senate will take up two amendments Thursday to give larger pay raises to public school teachers, but said it’s doubtful the Senate majority will adopt either one. “At this point, we’re committed to being fiscally[Read More…]
Government
Officials: Amendment needed to remove ‘Greatest Impediment’ to W.Va. Economy
By JIM WORKMAN West Virginia Press Association CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Industrial personal property tax is destructive to the economic health of the state of West Virginia, state officials said Wednesday, adding that a recent West Virginia Forward report by West Virginia University and Marshall University with the Department of Commerce calls[Read More…]
Officials: Amendment needed to remove ‘Greatest Impediment’ to W.Va. Economy
By Jim Workman West Virginia Press Association CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Industrial personal property tax is destructive to the economic health of the state of West Virginia, state officials said Wednesday, adding that a recent West Virginia Forward report by West Virginia University and Marshall University with the Department of Commerce[Read More…]
West Virginia Gov. Justice’s bill would limit opioid prescribing, could penalize doctors
By ERIC EYRE Charleston Gazette-Mail CHARLESTON, W.Va. — State lawmakers got their first glimpse at Gov. Jim Justice’s legislation to combat the opioid epidemic in West Virginia Tuesday, giving the bill high marks but cautioning that it could penalize honest doctors. The bill, which aims to reduce the number of[Read More…]
West Virginia Senate bills address state’s opioid crisis
By TAYLOR STUCK The Herald-Dispatch CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The Senate Health and Human Resources Committee on Tuesday heard two bills relating to the opioid epidemic, passing one out of committee and beginning discussion on another. Senate Bill 272’s committee substitute passed out of the committee. The bill would create a pilot[Read More…]
Dems propose higher West Virginia teacher raises; Justice ‘softens’ PEIA wellness mandate
By PHIL KABLER Charleston Gazette-Mail CHARLESTON, W.Va. — With rumblings of teacher walkouts and possible strikes over soaring PEIA health insurance premiums and what some have termed “insulting” 1 percent pay raise proposals, Senate Democrats are offering to sweeten the deal, offering two possible amendments to the governor’s pay raise[Read More…]
West Virginia Senate Democrats to propose higher teacher pay raises
By JAKE JARVIS NCWV Media CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Senate Democrats are planning to offer two amendments to Gov. Jim Justice’s plan for teacher pay raises — alternatives that could give teachers more than $6,000 extra next year. Senate Bill 267, which provides raises to teachers, service personnel and State Police,[Read More…]
Super-discounted E-ZPass option complicating West Virginia Turnpike toll study
By PHIL KABLER Charleston Gazette-Mail CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A traffic and revenue study that will be instrumental in setting West Virginia Turnpike tolls increases to pay off a $500 million road bond issues is taking longer than expected to complete because of difficulties calculating the impact of a unique super-low[Read More…]
Bill to protect clergy from performing marriages passes West Virginia House
By JAKE ZUCKERMAN Charleston Gazette-Mail CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The House of Delegates passed a bill Tuesday that would give legal protections to religious clergymen who decline to affirm marriages that conflict with their religious beliefs. House Bill 4010 is now en route to the state Senate after its 90-5 passage[Read More…]
West Virginia House OKs bill to protect beliefs of wedding officiants
By TAYLOR STUCK The Herald-Dispatch CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia House of Delegates on Tuesday passed a bill that protects clergy from officiating weddings that are against their sincerely held beliefs. Del. John Shott, R-Mercer, said the bill clarifies current law and protects clergy from any future litigation. “This will[Read More…]