By PHIL KABLER Charleston Gazette-Mail CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Gov. Jim Justice said the downgrade issued Tuesday of West Virginia’s bond rating — the third downgrade in the past year — “just makes me sick,” and admonished the Legislature for failing to address structural problems in the state budget. Justice held[Read More…]
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Moody’s downgrades WV debt rating
By LACIE PIERSON The Herald-Dispatch CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice said it made him sick to learn that the state of West Virginia’s general obligation debt rating was downgraded by Moody’s Investor Services Tuesday. In a news conference Tuesday afternoon, Justice and Secretary of Revenue Dave Hardy said[Read More…]
West Virginia’s debt rating lowered
By MICHELLE DILLON Times West Virginian FAIRMONT, W.Va. — West Virginia’s debt rating has been lowered. West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice and West Virginia Department of Revenue Secretary Dave Hardy announced during a Tuesday afternoon press conference that Moody’s Investors Service lowered the state’s general obligation debt rating. West Virginia’s[Read More…]
WV movie industry: Cutting Film Office, tax credit would harm state
By DOUGLAS IMBROGNO Charleston Gazette-Mail CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Supporters might view it as serendipity that the West Virginia Film Office is hosting a free “Business of Film” workshop today at the West Virginia State University EDC center on Charleston’s West Side. That’s because backers of the Film Office and its[Read More…]
Senator concerned whether budget will be completed without special session
By ANDREA LANNOM The Register-Herald CHARLESTON, W.Va. — With 25 percent of the session already elapsed, the clock is ticking on arriving at a balanced budget. Sen. Mike Woelfel, D-Cabell, expressed concern Monday over whether the budget would be completed without the need for a lengthy special session. Majority Leader[Read More…]
House committee advances bill to restructure Bureau for Medical Services
By ANDREA LANNOM The Register-Herald CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A House committee advanced a bill Tuesday that would restructure the Department of Health and Human Resources and killed a bill that would raise the legal age to buy cigarettes. The House Committee on Health and Human Resources approved House Bill 2376,[Read More…]
Bill would increase warning time for pension hikes
By JOSEPHINE MENDEZ The Herald-Dispatch HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Several Cabell County legislators are sponsoring a bill that could help cities around the state potentially avoid financial crises. House Bill 2549, introduced Monday, aims to change how municipalities deal with increases to their pension contributions for police officers and firefighters. In[Read More…]
Bill would establish Bible as state book
By LACIE PIERSON The Herald-Dispatch CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A bill that would designate the Holy Bible as the official state book of West Virginia was introduced in the West Virginia House of Delegates Monday. If passed by the Republican-majority legislature, House Bill 2568, which has 11 sponsors, would add the Holy[Read More…]
Concerns on budget voiced in WV Senate
From staff reports Charleston Gazette-Mail CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Sen. Mike Woelfel, D-Cabell, raised questions Tuesday about the lack of a legislative alternative to Gov. Jim Justice’s proposed 2017-18 budget, as the 60-day regular session approached the end of its first quarter. “I’m certain we can agree that going into June,[Read More…]
WV Legislature considers ACT, school calendars
By RYAN QUINN Charleston Gazette-Mail CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Senate Education Committee has started off this year’s legislative session by considering school calendar and ACT testing bills that somewhat resemble two bills that former governor Earl Ray Tomblin vetoed after the end of last year’s session. Senate Bill 242, which[Read More…]
