Social Security tax exemption bill eagerly passed by House of Delegates

February 23, 2024

CHARLESTON — The House of Delegates overwhelmingly passed a bill that would phase out state income taxes on Social Security benefits. The legislation would build on a 2019 bill signed into law by the governor to exempt Social Security income from personal income taxes for most West Virginians, particularly those in lower tax brackets. That was also a three-year phase-out. This proposal would exempt those in higher brackets from being taxed on Social Security benefits. The bill was introduced in the House of Delegates as HB 4880. Delegates passed the bill 96-0, and it now goes ...

Education officials worry HB 4299 might be unloading additional conflicts in school safety

February 22, 2024

Is House Bill 4299 a loaded gun — unto itself? That’s what the leaders of West Virginia’s two unions for teachers and others who work in school buildings are worried about, now that the measure is going before the state Senate for approval. Should it pass, the bill would allow ...

House passes bill allowing educators to carry concealed weapons

February 22, 2024

CHARLESTON — The House of Delegates passed a bill that would allow educators to carry concealed firearms as designated school protection officers. The bill passed 89-11 Wednesday after more than an hour of debate. The bill now goes to the state Senate. Supporters maintained educators could represent a first line of defense against an attack from the outside, especially in rural counties where school protection officers are hard to find or spread thin. “School shooters are terrorists. That’s all they are. They’re there to terrorize the people in the school,” said ...

Senate bill opens path for state to make money through forest-management wildfire prevention

February 21, 2024

MORGANTOWN — The state Senate held a long-but-warm-spirited debate on Wednesday over an amendment to a bill designed to protect state-owned forests from wildfires, and bring in cash in the process. Senators also unanimously passed a bill to help pave the way for the state's hydrogen ...

Mon Commission taps Dower for regional review committee, drops COVID policies

February 21, 2024

MORGANTOWN — The Monongalia County Commission has named Jonathan Dower as its representative on the regional board tasked with vetting applicants and proposals seeking opioid settlement dollars through the West Virginia First Foundation.  The regional review committee is a ...

House resolution calls for study of state park possibilities for Cheat Lake

February 21, 2024

BY MIKE NOLTING A study resolution is moving in the House of Delegates to look at the possibility of making Cheat Lake in Monongalia County a state park. The House Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources approved the resolution. Del. Joe Statler, R-Monongalia, pointed out to the committee members that the area was once a popular tourist area that could be revived. The Mont Chateau Hotel was a tourist attraction from 1894 until 1956 and was a popular regional destination before the interstate highway. “It (the lake) is actively still making hydroelectric power; there ...