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Gov. Justice calls wage garnishment ‘grandstanding’

CHARLESTON — Gov. Jim Justice says he knows very little about the garnishment of his salary over a debt. The governor says his company will make good. And, finally, the governor described the actions of a bank to have its debt repaid through his state salary as politically motivated. “I hate this. I really, really hate it because I don’t know anything about it,” Justice said during a briefing Wednesday. “I’m sure I signed a personal guarantee on an equipment loan years and years ago, maybe even before I became the governor. But from the standpoint of notifications ...

Tunnelton VFD gets money to increase ranks

Tunnelton Volunteer Fire Department in Preston County will get money to help it grow. It is one of two VFDs in West Virginia to receive funding from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV), member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced the $965,520 for the Wilderness Volunteer Fire Department in Mount Lookout in Nicholas County and the Tunnelton VFD. The funding is made possible through the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) program and will provide critical ...

Finance board for state insurer goes with straight premium increases

The board overseeing finances for the Public Employees Insurance Agency went ahead with straight premium increases to get in line with recently passed legislation. The finance board made that decision Thursday while ruling out hybrid proposals that would have meant lower premium increases offset by higher deductibles, out-of-pocket costs and prescription costs. The upshot is, state employees and educators will see premium increases of roughly 24% starting with the new fiscal year, July 1. Workers who are insured by local government agencies that opt into PEIA will also see premium ...

Mon Commission approves funds for VFDs, county ballpark events

MORGANTOWN — The Monongalia County Commission approved a $22,884 expenditure on Wednesday aimed at improving communication for the county’s volunteer fire departments.  County Administrator Rennetta McClure explained the money will be used to purchase ($18,684) and install ($4,200) ...

Order calls for garnishing gov’s wages, Auditor’s Office says it will comply

CHARLESTON — A court judgment proposes to garnish the wages Jim Justice earns as governor to resolve a big business debt, and the state Auditor’s Office says it is prepared to comply just the way it would for any similar court order affecting a state employee. “When we receive a wage garnishment order issued by a court, it is processed as directed by applicable statutes, rules and regulations,” stated Kallie Cart, spokeswoman for the Auditor’s Office in response to a MetroNews question about how the matter would be handled. “This is done without regard to whom the ...

Concerns voiced over state employee health insurance bill

BY MIKE NOLTING About 25 people attended the Morgantown Public Employees Insurance Agency (PEIA) meeting Tuesday night. Those who spoke expressed concerns about cost and a lack of timely communication during debate over Senate Bill 268, the measure designed to stabilize the health ...