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Local Government

Amendments defeated for national motto, intelligent design bills for schools

Delegates didn’t put their faith in proposed amendments to a bill requiring “In God We Trust” signs in schools or another bill ensuring classroom discussions are allowed to ruminate on the ways the universe might have begun. Senate Bill 152 would require display in a conspicuous place in West Virginia schools a durable poster or framed copy of the United States national motto, “In God We Trust.” Delegate John Williams, D-Monongalia, would also have inserted the state motto “Montani Semper Liberi,” or Mountaineers are always free. “We don’t have that much of a ...

State employee pay raises would be tied to personal income tax trigger in Senate bill

The Senate Finance Committee advanced a pay raise bill for public employees, but with a twist. The Senate’s version of the bill would tie an average 4% raise for public employees to whatever happens with an upcoming trigger on personal income tax cuts. If the trigger based on economic indicators activates another personal income tax cut, then there will be no raise. If there is no triggered personal income tax cut, then there would be a raise. Got it? If you are trying to figure out if you might be in line for a raise, here is how the trigger works: The trigger to ...

Senate Health passes vaccination exemption bill

The Senate Health Committee advanced a bill that loosens some of West Virginia’s school vaccination requirements, with the chairman saying he wouldn’t have run it if he’d had a choice about it. House Bill 5105 removes vaccination requirements for students in virtual public schools, and it also would allow private and parochial schools to set their own standards. But senators have pulled out a provision that would have allowed parents to send in a letter citing a religious exemption to vaccination requirements. Senate Health Committee Chairman Mike Maroney, R-Marshall, ...

Morgantown going back to the drawing board on city garage project

MORGANTOWN — In 2022, the Morgantown Building Commission took ownership of Morgantown City Hall, the Norwood Fire Station and the city’s public works garage in exchange for the issuance of bonds to finance significant improvements to the aging facilities.  Fast forward two years, ...

Commission considers security company

KINGWOOD — Members of the Preston County Commission were provided information about the Rank One Computing (ROC) Smart Community Initiative during their Tuesday meeting. Jessica Sell, vice president of Congressional Affairs and Community Outreach, said the program allows individuals to know who is in their schools, businesses or government buildings by enhancing proactive security capabilities. Some of the other counties using this technology are Marion, Taylor, Putnam and Dodridge. According to the ROC website, ROC Watch can be used to identify visitors through a mobile ...