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Senate proposes $4.9B budget bill, passes in first readings

CHARLESTON — Senators passed a budget that trims back what Gov. Jim Justice requested. Senators introduced their version of the budget bill Wednesday evening, suspended rules and passed it in three straight readings — although this is just the first of several steps to pass a final version. The Senate’s version might look only somewhat like what ultimately sticks. Senators passed the bill 31-0. Senate Finance Chairman Eric Tarr, R-Putnam, gave a rundown of the spending, but there was not otherwise any discussion. The Senate’s proposed general revenue budget for the ...

Bloom: HB 5105 a threat to West Virginia public schools

MORGANTOWN — Monongalia County Commissioner Tom Bloom said he’s normally not one to take a public stance on the various bills being debated in Charleston.  Wednesday was an exception.  He said the expansion of House Bill 5105 to allow parents to opt out of vaccination ...

Senators pass bill to end ‘marital exemption’ in criminal sexual offenses

Senators have passed a bill intended to eliminate the “marital exemption” in criminal sexual offenses. Senate Bill 190 would remove a provision in criminal code where an allegation of inappropriate sexual contact applies only when the victim is not married to the aggressor. As West Virginia law has stood, said Sen. Ryan Weld, “If you are married to somebody and you touch them in a private area as a result of forcible compulsion you cannot be convicted of a crime.” “Now is the time to correct an injustice,” said Weld, R-Brooke. Senators passed the bill 22-9, and ...

Senate passes bill requiring 8th graders to watch fetal development video, ‘Meet Baby Olivia’

West Virginia senators voted to require eighth grade viewings of a specific video showing insemination and fetal development by a particular national group involved in abortion politics. Senate Bill 468 would require public school viewings of “Meet Baby Olivia,” by Live Action, a nonprofit organization that has been active in national anti-abortion campaigns. The video begins with an image of a fetus called Olivia and then goes on to show sperm fertilizing an egg. “This is the moment that life begins.” After that, the video shows weeks of development. The bill does not ...

Bill aimed at driving in the left lane gets second chance

Delegates circled back for a second chance at a bill discouraging drivers from camping out in the left lane. The House of Delegates narrowly voted down a bill two weeks ago that would have made left-lane driving — with several exceptions — a primary offense. Tuesday, delegates voted in favor of a bill that would establish a secondary offense. “This is now a secondary offense,” said Delegate Steve Westfall, R-Jackson, who has sponsored similar bills year after year. “There was some objection that it be a primary offense.” Delegates on Feb. 15 voted down a similar ...