By PHIL KABLER Charleston Gazette-Mail CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Because both houses of the West Virginia Legislature lacked the votes to make it effective from passage, the budget bill passed by lawmakers Sunday would not go into effect until July 8 — leaving a week-long gap from the end of the[Read More…]
Government
‘Second Chance’ bill passes in reduced form
By JOSELYN KING The Intelligencer and Wheeling News-Register WHEELING, W.Va. — West Virginia Sen. Ryan Weld promises to bring back his “second chance bill” after a “watered down” version of the legislation passed in the closing moments of the legislative session this year. Senate Bill 76 was legislation intended to give felons convicted of[Read More…]
WV Senate president to governor: Sign budget bill into law
By PHIL KABLER Charleston Gazette-Mail CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A day after saying he hoped negotiations would continue between Gov. Jim Justice and the Legislature on a budget compromise, Senate President Mitch Carmichael changed direction, calling on the governor Tuesday to sign the $4.102 billion budget bill lawmakers passed Sunday. “While[Read More…]
Justice has until Friday to veto or sign budget
By ANDREA LANNOM The Register-Herald CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The governor has until Friday to either sign the budget bill or veto it — otherwise it can take effect without his signature. Both House and Senate leadership have urged Gov. Jim Justice in the days following the session to sign the[Read More…]
W.Va. Broadband bill passes Senate Government Organization
By Lexi Browning The West Virginia Press AssociationCHARLESTON, W.Va. — Efforts to expand the reach of broadband services into underserved or unserved areas in the Mountain State passed the Senate Government Organization Committee Tuesday. House Bill 3093, lead-sponsored by Delegate Roger Hanshaw, R-Clay, would also reestablish the Broadband Enhancement Council under[Read More…]
Justice’s optimism on reaching WV budget pact fading
By PHIL KABLER Charleston Gazette-Mail CHARLESTON, W.Va. — With five days left in the West Virginia Legislature’s 2017 session, the moves are accelerating in the chess match that is the state budget process, with all indications at the moment that the game will end in a stalemate. The Senate, in[Read More…]
Medical marijuana legislation amended in WV Senate
By JOSELYN KING The Intelligencer and Wheeling News-Register WHEELING, W.Va. — The use of medical marijuana in leaf form would be prohibited under an amendment to a legislation narrowly approved by the West Virginia House of Delegates. Senate Bill 386, a bill to legalize medical marijuana in the state, had[Read More…]
Environmental groups urge changes to coal bill
By KEN WARD JR. Charleston Gazette-Mail CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Environmental organizations and citizen groups turned out Monday to urge lawmakers to strip from a coal industry bill language that would force state regulators to remove consideration of the diversity of aquatic communities when they assess the health of West Virginia’s[Read More…]
Justice vows to veto current GOP budget plan
By JIM ROSS The State Journal CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Gov. Jim Justice gathered about two dozen senior officials from business, labor, education and nonprofits Monday to show the support he has for this budget plan. Some of the governor’s remarks were a repeat of speeches he has recently given while[Read More…]
House committee advances sales tax changes
By ASHTON MARRA West Virginia Public Broadcasting CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Members of the House Finance Committee have advanced their bill to “broaden the base and lower the rate” of the state’s sales tax, a bill that the chamber is relying on to balance its 2018 budget. Members were initially presented[Read More…]
