By RUSTY MARKS The State Journal CHARLESTON, W.Va. — While members of the Legislature are struggling to figure out how to plug an estimated $500 million hole in the upcoming state budget, state Commerce Secretary Woody Thrasher is trying to talk them into giving him $105 million. Thrasher told members[Read More…]
WVPA Sharing
Member newspaper- and West Virginia Press Association-generated news articles, series, photos, cartoons. This information is available for sharing and publication by other member newspapers.
Bill seeks stiffer hit-and-run penalties in West Virginia
By JANET METZNER The Intelligencer/Wheeling News-Register WHEELING, W.Va. — When a hit-and-run driver knowingly left motorcyclist Kenny McCall bleeding and broken on a Newell sidewalk, his family — and state lawmakers — later would discover the only recourse against the uninsured motorist was prosecution for a misdemeanor offense. “At the[Read More…]
West Virginia Delegate Pat McGeehan seeks Common Core repeal
By JOSEYLN KING The Intelligencer/Wheeling News-Register WHEELING — Delegate Pat McGeehan says West Virginia’s current method of educating its students is “confused and convoluted,” and taxpayers footing the bill should have more of a say in what is being taught in the state’s classrooms. McGeehan, R-Hancock, has reintroduced legislation to eliminate Common[Read More…]
House passes whistle-blower bill
By DAVID BEARD The Dominion Post CHARLESTON — The House of Delegates passed its first bill of the session on Feb. 15. HB 2006 is a bipartisan bill to toughen protections in the state Whistle-Blower Law. The bill raises the maximum fine for an employer who breaks the law from[Read More…]
Human trafficking bill heads to House
By DAVID BEARD The Dominion Post CHARLESTON — A bill to combat human trafficking in West Virginia began its third round through the Legislature on Feb. 15, receiving the unanimous approval of the House Judiciary Committee. The bill explains that trafficking involves recruiting, transporting and harboring, among other actions, a[Read More…]
House committee approves campaign fund bill
By DAVID BEARD The Dominion Post CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The House Judiciary Committee approved a bill Wednesday to require incumbent legislators to promptly disclose campaign fundraisers held during legislative sessions. As amended in committee, HB 2319 requires a legislator running for legislative office who holds a fundraiser to disclose the event,[Read More…]
Education remains hot topic in Legislature
By DANYEL VANREENEN The Journal CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Education has been a central issue of concern for many state representatives since the legislative session began last week. Many representatives have called for a better educated work force in West Virginia to combat some of the struggles ailing the state. In[Read More…]
Montgomery residents hear about future of WVU Tech campus
By JAKE JARVIS Charleston Gazette-Mail MONTGOMERY, W.Va. — Dozens of Montgomery residents and others gathered on the West Virginia University Institute of Technology’s campus this morning to hear more details of a potential future for the school’s facilities after WVU Tech moves to Beckley later this year. Officials with KVC Health[Read More…]
PEIA plans to cut $50 million, director says
By PHIL KABLER Charleston Gazette-Mail CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Public Employee Insurance Agency executive director Ted Cheatham told legislators Wednesday that the PEIA Finance Board had no choice but to impose about $50 million in benefits cuts for the 2017-18 plan year, since no additional funding for premiums was expected. In[Read More…]
Justice continues criticism of WVDEP inspectors
By KEN WARD JR. Charleston Gazette-Mail CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Gov. Jim Justice on Wednesday doubled down on his criticism of his own state Department of Environmental Protection, using a speech to a group of oil and gas operators to increase his attacks on the way he says DEP inspectors dress[Read More…]
