By MICHAEL ERB The Parkersburg News and Sentinel CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia lawmakers could consider a plan next year that would change the funding method for the state’s colleges and universities. Delegate Paul Espinosa, R-Jefferson, and Senate President Mitch Carmichael, R-Jackson, are in agreement that the current system —[Read More…]
Government
West Virginia Senate President: revenue bill represents $119M in tax cuts
By JOSELYN KING The Intelligencer and Wheeling News-Register WHEELING, W.Va. — West Virginia Senate President Mitch Carmichael says a revenue bill to be considered by the Legislature this week is itself not a tax increase, but instead represents a nearly $119 million tax cut next year for West Virginians. The[Read More…]
Senate to allow firearm for Sergeant-at-Arms
By RUSTY MARKS The State Journal CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Leaders in the West Virginia Senate have decided to post an armed guard in the chamber during sessions. Andrew Palmer, one of several sergeants-at-arms employed by the Senate, has been authorized to carry a gun while the Senate is conducting business.[Read More…]
Opinion: Gov. Justice talks about resuming Special Session
By Gov. Jim Justice The special session will resume today, Monday, May 15. The goal remains the same: pass a budget that will put West Virginia on a pathway to prosperity. But what we have to understand is there is something that is being terribly forgotten here. The[Read More…]
Ojeda, Phillips latest to declare runs for Congress
By JAKE ZUCKERMAN Charleston Gazette-Mail CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Two state legislators from Logan County announced their candidacies for the U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday. Delegate Rupie Phillips Jr., an independent who said he would join the Republican Party for his run, and Sen. Richard Ojeda, who was elected to[Read More…]
Governor’s chief of staff: budget talks progressing
By ANDREA LANNOM The Register-Herald CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Gov. Jim Justice’s chief of staff says he is “cautiously optimistic” with budget talks between House and Senate leaders, saying discussions have progressed and are focused on a reduction in personal income taxes and broadening the tax base. In a Wednesday phone[Read More…]
Del. Rupert Phillips to announce run for U.S. Congress
Staff report The Logan Banner CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Delegate Rupert “Rupie” Phillips, who lives in Lundale, West Virginia in Logan County, will announce his candidacy for West Virginia’s Third District congressional seat at 1:30 p.m. today – Thursday, May 11 – in the Governor’s Press Conference Room (located adjacent to[Read More…]
Legislature in recess until May 15
By JOSELYN KING The Intelligencer and Wheeling News-Register WHEELING, W.Va. — The next move for West Virginia lawmakers working to pass a 2018 budget is to go home for 10 days. A special session of the Legislature adjourned Friday after Senate members passed a revenue bill needed for the budget,[Read More…]
Anatomy of a budget breakdown
By RUSTY MARKS The State Journal CHARLESTON, W.Va. — It wasn’t as if he hadn’t tried to warn them. For weeks, House Speaker Tim Armstead, R-Kanawha, had been telling anyone who would listen that the Republican majority in the House of Delegates would not go along with any state revenue[Read More…]
Editorial: Wasteful – Lawmakers, Justice must get budget right
From the Parkersburg News and Sentinel: Last week, Gov. Jim Justice brought lawmakers back to Charleston for a special session that started not with a bang, but with confusion and a lot of standing around. As state Sen. Donna Boley, R-Pleasants, put it “(Thursday) was a complete waste.” Amid complaints[Read More…]
