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Local Government

Non-uniformed jail personnel would be up for a raise under House bill

West Virginia’s non-uniformed corrections workers would receive pay raises under a bill advanced by the House Jails and Prisons Committee. As committee discussion noted, uniformed corrections officers received pay raises as an outcome of a special legislative session in August. The bill currently moving would provide pay raises for their non-uniformed colleagues. HB 4734 is also referred to the House Finance Committee, and there has not yet been an assessment of the cost. Gov. Jim Justice declared a state of emergency in August 2022 because of the many vacancies in West ...

Preston County Parks and Recreation seeking funds from Commission for repairs

KINGWOOD — Preston County Parks and Recreation is seeking $9,900 from the Preston County Commission to be used for labor to repair a portion of the Northern Rail Trail that washed out at Snider Crossing during a storm. A representative for PCPaRC said the group still has funding from a federal highway grant but that money can only be used for material to fix the problem. Councilman Hunter Thomas suggested members of PCPaRC get two or three more comparative estimates for labor to see if they can get a lower bid. “You look at that and we’ll see if we can find the funds. ...

Committee advances air quality monitoring bill

The House Energy Committee had a vigorous discussion and then advanced a bill that would define standards for community programs to monitor and analyze information about air quality. Aspects of HB 5018 that drew criticism would place limits on how that air quality information is used. Although the bill says the secretary of West Virginia’s environmental agency may consider air monitoring data gathered under specific standards to determine whether further investigation is necessary to protect communities, the legislation goes on to say the secretary may not use only the original ...

Select Committee on AI advances first bill, hears about developments in tech

The House of Delegates has established a Select Committee on Artificial Intelligence and it advanced its first bill. House Bill 5161 doesn’t exactly deal with artificial intelligence but it does seek to take advantage of technological advances. The bill would create a “digital wallet” for residents whose jobs require various licenses, to keep all of the owner’s certifications or licensure in one place. The process would flow through the Secretary of State’s Office’s one-stop business portal. The individual would have responsibility for organizing their credentials and ...

State would increase tax to address Medicaid gap

CHARLESTON — West Virginia faces a $114 million Medicaid gap along with a proposal to fill it, but the Senate Finance chairman is concerned about financial consequences down the line. Medicaid is a joint federal and state program that helps cover medical costs for some people with limited incomes and resources. For the coming fiscal year, West Virginia faces a gap estimated at $114 million due to a range of factors. When state officials aim to keep the general revenue budget relatively flat, a $114 million cost increase could be a big deal. One factor causing the funding ...