Breaking News

Local Government

$8.72 million in energy assistance available for West Virginia families

U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), ranking member of the Senate Appropriations Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Subcommittee, and U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV), chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced $8,728,752 from Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) for the state of West Virginia. “No West Virginian should have to choose between keeping their home warm and paying for necessities like food or medicine,” Manchin said. LIHEAP is funded ...

Delegates pass bill changing insurance finances for public employees

CHARLESTON — Delegates passed a bill making big changes to the insurance program for public employees after more than three hours of Saturday session debate. And delegates later passed a pay raise bill recently described by state officials as a cushion for the increased insurance premium costs. The insurance bill and pay raise legislation have been moving in lockstep, described as intertwined. The insurance bill wound up passing 69-27, with a robust debate over the solvency of the program and the state’s level of support for its workers. Public employees and representatives of ...

As PEIA bill moves to brink of House passage, union leaders air concerns

CHARLESTON — Union leaders gathered on the front steps of the House of Delegates to push back on a bill affecting insurance for public employees, but the bill lines up for passage as soon as today’s session. “Encourage your legislators to slow this down,” said Fred Albert, ...

House starts on PEIA bill

Delegates started moving a bill making several changes to the insurance plan for public employees, Gov. Jim Justice praised lawmakers for their work on the plan, and union leaders plan to discuss their concerns Friday in front of the House chamber. Over the next few days, the full House of Delegates will consider the changes. The House Finance Committee discussed and advanced the bill Thursday afternoon. The full House completed the first of three looks at the bill on Thursday evening. That means the bill could be up for amendments on the House floor as soon as Friday and passage ...

Senate Health advances gender-affirming treatment ban

Following a long discussion with a physician who warned of mental health concerns, the Senate Health Committee advanced a bill that would ban aspects of gender affirming care for minors. The original version of House Bill 2007, “Prohibiting certain medical practices,” focused on irreversible gender-affirming surgery. A revised version also includes gender-altering medication. Supporters pointed generally toward news coverage of gender-affirming procedures elsewhere and said the policy is meant to ensure West Virginia doesn’t face growing acceptance of the ...

Senate passes locality pay, House puts minimum on age of marriage

A day after a majority of delegates shot down a bill with similar concepts, the state Senate unanimously passed a bill moving toward higher pay for state workers in regions where cost of living is higher. Senate Bill 593 passed 33-0 — without any debate. It now goes to the House of ...