By PHIL KABLER Charleston Gazette-Mail CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Without discussion, the West Virginia Board of Public Works on Thursday unanimously approved previously recommended 2018 assessed values for property owned by utilities operating in the state — effectively rejecting a request by Appalachian Power Co. to lower its assessment on the[Read More…]
Government
West Virginia Senate committee opts for series of 1-percent pay hikes
By PHIL KABLER Charleston Gazette-Mail CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A day after teachers and public employee groups rallied at the Capitol to protest Gov. Jim Justice’s proposed 1 percent pay raises, Senate Finance Committee members sweetened the deal, locking in a series of 1 percent pay hikes. Committee members amended the[Read More…]
West Virginia Senate, House discuss gas bills
By RUSTY MARKS NCWV Media CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Energy committees in both the state Senate and House of Delegates postponed action Thursday on bills that would affect the oil and gas industry. The Senate Committee on Energy, Industry and Mining discussed Senate Bill 360 Thursday. The legislation would change the[Read More…]
West Virginia teacher, state employee pay raise bill heads to full Senate
By ANDREA LANNOM The Register-Herald CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A bill calling for pay increases for teachers and state employees is on its way to the Senate floor with a change that codifies the raise over a five-year period for teachers and a two-year period for all other state employees. The Senate[Read More…]
Raleigh County school employees express concerns over current West Virginia legislation issues
By JORDAN NELSON The Register-Herald BECKLEY, W.Va. — More than 100 Raleigh County school employees, concerned they are “being hit from all sides,” discussed remedies to counter the effects of legislative decision-making under way in Charleston, including not ruling out the thought of a walk-out or strike. All tables of Woodrow Wilson High[Read More…]
Elected office vacancy bill passes West Virginia House
By JAKE ZUCKERMAN Charleston Gazette-Mail CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia House of Delegates passed a bill Thursday codifying a 2016 court ruling that tilted control of the state Senate to the Republican Party. House Bill 3004 states that, if any officeholders resign in the midst of their term, they[Read More…]
Bill would add additional protections for LGBTQ in West Virginia hate crime law
By COURTNEY HESSLER The Herald-Dispatch CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A bill introduced in the West Virginia House of Delegates on Wednesday seeks to broaden the state’s hate crime law to extend protections for the LGBTQ community and add provisions to build better relationships with people accused of such offenses and their[Read More…]
West Virginia firefighters could be packing heat; House bill on way to Senate
By JOSELYN KING The Intelligencer and Wheeling News-Register WHEELING, W.Va. — Legislation permitting properly trained first responders to carry firearms unanimously passed the West Virginia House of Delegates Thursday, and is now on its way to the Senate. House Bill 2916, introduced by Delegate David Pethtel, D-Wetzel, would allow emergency[Read More…]
Legislators consider natural gas bills
By DAVID BEARD The Dominion Post CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Legislative committee took up three natural gas industry bills on Jan. 25 — co-tenancy, royalty deductions and royalty check-stub transparency — and passed one of them. The remaining two were laid over for further deliberation. House Energy took up the co-tenancy[Read More…]
Abortion bill approved by House Health Committee
By DAVID BEARD The Dominion Post CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The House Health Committee approved — quickly and with little discussion — a bill to prohibit Medicaid funded abortions, except in emergencies. HB 4012 passed in an overwhelming voice vote Jan. 25, with Republicans and Democrats voting yes; there was no[Read More…]
