By RYAN QUINN Charleston Gazette-Mail CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Senate unanimously passed Tuesday a bill to make in-state community and technical colleges tuition free. But Senate Bill 284, which now heads to the House of Delegates, contains multiple requirements students would have to meet to receive the benefit.[Read More…]
Government
West Virginia Senate passes community college bill
By ANDREA LANNOM The Register-Herald CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Senate unanimously passed a bill aiming to increase access to community college, with one senator calling it “one giant leap for education” in the Mountain State. The bill would create the West Virginia Invest grant and the Advanced Career[Read More…]
Members continue to work on intermediate appeals court bill
By DAVID BEARD The Dominion Post CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Senate Judiciary members continued work on the intermediate appeals court bill Tuesday afternoon, hearing from three witnesses: one against, one for and one from the Supreme Court – more or less neutral. The bill is SB 341. Christopher Morris, Supreme Court[Read More…]
Around the Rotunda: Legislative, committee schedule for Wednesday, Jan. 31
Watch WV Legislature Live each day at http://www.legis.state.wv.us/live.cfm Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2018 22th Day of the Legislative Session Rotunda and social activities: Jan. 31 — WV Nurses Unity Day, Upper House, Upper Senate and Upper Well Area, and Lower Rotunda. Feb. 1 — West Virginia Press Association Breakfast at Embassy Suites, 7:30 a.m . until 9 a.m.;[Read More…]
W.Va. Auditor’s website to allow residents to monitor, question state spending in almost real time
West Virginia Press Association Staff Report CHARLESTON, W.Va. — With the state on the eve of one of the largest highway spending programs in state history, the West Virginia Auditor’s office is nearing the launch of new programs on its website — wvsao.gov — that will give all residents the ability to monitor[Read More…]
West Virginia Sen. Ryan Ferns of Ohio County introduces sports setting bill
By JOSELYN KING The Intelligencer and Wheeling News-Register WHEELING, W.Va. — A bill to permit legalized sports betting at West Virginia casinos was introduced Monday in the State Senate, but even if passed, the measure would still be subject to federal action. Senate Majority Leader Ryan Ferns, R-Ohio, introduced Senate[Read More…]
Governor signs bill eliminating West Virginia state film tax credit
By ANDREA LANNOM The Register-Herald CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Gov. Jim Justice has signed legislation that eliminates the West Virginia Film Tax Credit. The bill preserves rights to all previously issued film tax credits and winds down operations of the West Virginia Film Office, transferring some duties to the Division of[Read More…]
Jim Leach files to run for West Virginia 3rd District State Senate seat
By BRETT DUNLAP The Parkersburg News and Sentinel VIENNA, W.Va. — A local attorney has filed to run for the 3rd District State Senate seat. Jim Leach of Vienna, a Democrat, filed to run for the seat currently held by Mike Azinger, R-Wood. Leach, who filed with the West Virginia[Read More…]
Will military Fitbit ban kill West Virginia PEIA plan?
By RUSTY MARKS NCWV Media CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The revelation that Fitbit step-tracking devices can be used to track troop movements overseas may have little impact on new Public Employees Insurance Agency policies encouraging state workers to carry Fitbits to collect health data. The use of Fitbits is among a[Read More…]
Lawmakers advance bill to require carbon monoxide detectors in West Virginia schools
By RYAN QUINN Charleston Gazette-Mail CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The House Judiciary Committee advanced Monday to the full House of Delegates legislation to require — in public schools, private schools and day cares — carbon monoxide detectors in each area with a “fuel-burning heating system or other fuel-burning device that produces[Read More…]