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PEIA Finance Board hears comments against proposed increases while in Charleston

BY JARETT LEWIS CHARLESTON — For the fourth time this month, the Finance Board for the Public Employees Insurance Agency took public comments regarding the proposed premium increases for state workers. The PEIA Finance Board is proposing: 10.5% premium increases and no benefits changes for state employees who get the insurance. 13% premium increases for employees of local governments that opt into PEIA, plus the addition of a surcharge for eligible spouses of about $147. No changes in premiums or benefits for retirees who are eligible for Medicare. 10% premium ...

Pay increases for Westover mayor, council coming back for a final reading

The third-and-final readings of amendments to Westover’s city charter increasing the pay for the positions of mayor and city councilor are expected to be a part of Westover City Council’s agenda when the body meets Monday evening.   If approved, the changes will bump the mayor’s pay ...

Justice orders flags to be at half-staff in honor of Judge Robert Stone

Gov. Jim Justice has issued a proclamation ordering all United States and West Virginia flags at the Capitol Complex and all state-owned facilities in Monongalia County to be displayed at half-staff from dawn to dusk today, in commemoration of the distinguished life and service of former West Virginia Judge Robert Brand Stone. Stone died at J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital on Monday, following a six-month illness. Stone was first elected to the West Virginia House of Delegates in 1971, serving in this position until 1974. In 1981, he served as the assistant prosecuting attorney in ...

Manchin lights out for the frontier

A day after announcing he will not run for re-election for U.S. Senate, Joe Manchin was in the spotlight at a symposium on political civility. His appearance at the civility symposium is in step with Manchin’s stated goal of traveling America in search of political middle ground. During his opening remarks, Manchin called back to an earlier political decision he had to make: whether to run for Senate in 2010 after the death of Robert C. Byrd, a Democrat who had held the seat since 1959. Manchin, who was in his second term as governor at the time, calculated that the state was on ...

Justice to push for pay raises for state workers

Gov. Jim Justice says he’ll advocate for a 5% pay raise for state employees and educators who are experiencing increased insurance costs. “I’m absolutely going to put forward another 5% pay raise,” Justice said during a news briefing today in response to a question by reporter Charles Young of West Virginia News. “It should more than offset any raises in PEIA, and we need to do that. We need to accomplish that. Without any question that’s what I’m going to do. “I hope that will just sail right through because at the end of the day we want people to not be hurt by ...

Haws: City still exploring locations for winter warming shelter

MORGANTOWN — Morgantown City Manager Kim Haws said Wednesday the city is “absolutely” seeking other location options for a winter warming shelter.  Haws has become central to the warming shelter conversation as the only location proposed thus far, Sabra United Methodist Church, ...