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Local Government

PEIA to hold public hearings on premium increases

CHARLESTON — Workers who have state insurance can have some say-so this week about three options that will all hit their pocketbooks. “They’re pretty huge increases for folks, and that comes after years of no increases,” said Elaine Harris, whose work for the Communications Workers of America includes representation of troopers and corrections workers. The Public Employees Insurance Agency plans public hearings around the state will focus on whether to move ahead with premium increases of about 24% or to instead pick a different option that would increase premiums a little ...

About $4.5 million of city’s $11.2 million ARPA allocation spoken for

MORGANTOWN — Morgantown City Council has approved an update to the city’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) action plan highlighted by major investments in recreation, sidewalks and the city’s airport. Thus far, the city has spent or obligated just over $4.5 million of its $11,243,509 ...

PEIA board takes plan options on the road

CHARLESTON — The agency that oversees insurance for public employees is taking three new plan options on the road because of new legislation that will raise costs. “We have to now reconvene and adopt a new financial plan based on Senate Bill 268,” said Jason Haught, acting director of the Public Employees Insurance Agency. The main reason for the change is that a broad plan passed by the Legislature mandates a return to an 80-20 cost share between government employers and public employees. That ratio had gotten out of whack in recent years because of a reserve that state ...

Gov signs bill creating structure for opioid settlement spending

After a bill signing by Gov. Jim Justice, West Virginia state law now reflects a structure for determining how state and local governments will work together to determine the best uses for financial settlements in the state’s ongoing battle over the effects of opioid addiction. The “West Virginia First Memorandum of Understanding” already laid out the terms for the state and the many counties and cities that may receive a portion of settlements to push back against ongoing drug addiction issues. The agreement also applies to other proceeds from state legal actions over opioid ...

State announces pothole repair blitz

Transportation Secretary Jimmy Wriston says West Virginia is already on a spring pothole repair blitz. “We already have crews out there,” Wriston said during a briefing with the governor on Wednesday. “All of the asphalt plants over the next few weeks should be open all across the state, and we’ll be out there getting those potholes repaired — just the same methodology as we’ve used for the last three years. Our target date is to have them all by Memorial Day.” Wriston said the timing is strategic. “We’re seeing the benefit of doing that this time of year. We ...

Star City Council will hold emergency meeting to appoint an acting mayor

Star City Town Council will hold an emergency meeting on Monday to amend Article 133 of the town’s code and appoint an acting mayor. Herman Reid, who’s served as the town’s mayor since July of 2015, told The Dominion Post that he’s needed to take time away from the office recently due to health concerns. Reid said he’s resigned as municipal judge, which is one of the mayor’s duties, and has chosen not to seek another term in Star City’s June 7 election. “I went ahead and pulled my name out. I just don’t know how my health is going to be then,” he ...