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Pay raises for educators not a done deal

CHARLESTON — Pay raise bills for West Virginia educators passed their first committee hurdle with a more ambitious proposal than what had been publicly discussed up to now, but there’s still much more to go. The House Education Committee passed two bills providing pay raises for teachers and school service personnel during a Wednesday afternoon meeting. House Bill 4767 would provide pay raises for teachers, saying the change is to “bring them into parity with salaries offered in surrounding states.” The pay raise bill for teachers raises the base pay, with starting pay ...

Tax credit could be an incentive to keep physicians in West Virginia

CHARLESTON — Senate Majority Leader Tom Takubo, who is also a pulmonologist, supports a bill that would establish a tax credit for physicians who locate to West Virginia to practice medicine. Takubo, R-Kanawha, spoke in favor of SB208 as it advanced from the Senate Health and Human Resources Committee on Tuesday afternoon. The bill is also assigned to consideration by the Senate Finance Committee. “This would be one way that if a person comes back to the state, it may be an incentive enticing them to come back,” Takubo said during the committee meeting. Establishing ...

A sampling of bills introduced Tuesday, Jan. 16

MORGANTOWN — Here is a sampling of bills introduced Tuesday, Jan. 16. Local sponsors and co-sponsors are noted. SB 456, to address and define public camping in public spaces, create a penalty, and address existing ordinances. SB 459, to increase the senior citizens’ tax credit for ...

Senate adopts resolution supporting Israel as war with Hamas continues

MORGANTOWN — The state Senate on Tuesday took up and unanimously adopted SCR 17, “Reaffirming support of WV Legislature for State of Israel and Jewish people.” The resolution has 32 sponsors — Minority Leader Mike Woelfel, D-Cabell, does not appear as a sponsor but voted for it; ...

Senate Education Committee OKs intelligent design, U.S. motto bills

MORGANTOWN — The Senate Education Committee on Tuesday approved bills allowing the teaching of intelligent design in schools, and requiring the display of the national motto in schools and colleges if certain conditions are met. SB 280, the intelligent design (ID) bill, is a retooled ...

A sampling of bills introduced Monday, Jan. 15

MORGANTOWN — Here is a sampling of bills introduced Monday, Jan. 15. Local sponsors and co-sponsors are noted. SB 448, to require all public schools located within this state to give age-appropriate instruction on the Holocaust. Sen. Mike Oliverio, R-Monongalia, sponsor. SB 449, to ...