Senators quickly, unanimously pass $600 million tax plan

February 9, 2023

Wednesday morning, West Virginia senators announced their own $600 million tax plan that they called comprehensive. By afternoon, senators passed the tax proposal in bipartisan fashion, 33-0. To do so, senators suspended constitutional rules requiring bills to be read and considered three consecutive days. Senate Bill 424 is now headed to negotiations with the governor and delegates. “In the Senate, we get things done,” Senate President Craig Blair said at the conclusion of the morning’s news conference at the Capitol. This is the latest volley in the back-and-forth among ...

Mon Commission troubled by rumblings on Harmony Grove interchange

February 8, 2023

MORGANTOWN — Members of the Monongalia County Commission can see the writing on the wall. More accurately, they can hear the ringing phones in their pockets — courtesy of their friends in Westover. Mountaintop Beverage is expected to begin production in March. The ...

Bill to expand powers of foster care ombudsman advances

February 8, 2023

Senators are advancing a bill that would expand the powers of West Virginia’s foster care ombudsman. House Bill 3061 was advanced by the Senate Health Committee on Tuesday. The bill already passed the House of Delegates, 100-0. The ombudsman position was created in 2019 to support the needs of the many West Virginia families taking in children. The ombudsman is Pamela M. Woodman-Kaehler. The current bill permits the ombudsman to examine issues within the child welfare system from intake to when the child ages out. The ombudsman’s authority is expanded to also cover ...

House committee approves bills to mandate city election dates, allow cities to set up outdoor areas for consumption of alcohol

February 8, 2023

MORGANTOWN — Cities would be required to hold their municipal elections on the same days as statewide primary or general elections under a bill approved by the House Political Subdivisions Committee on Wednesday. Under a separate bill also OK'd by the committee, cities could establish ...

Senators advance bill bumping up pay for teachers

February 8, 2023

West Virginia senators are advancing a bill that would bump teachers fresh to the profession up pay scales as if they are all on their eighth year in classrooms. So, Senate Bill 204 is meant for salaries of teachers in their first through eighth years professionally all to be treated as they have eight years toward the pay scale. The Senate Education Committee advanced the bill Tuesday morning, and it next goes to the Senate Finance Committee. A fiscal note estimates a $24 million cost to the state. Sen. Charles Trump, R-Morgan, said he conceived of the bill as a way to address ...

DHHR to host in-person hiring events in February

February 7, 2023

The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) will host three in-person interviewing events in February for Kanawha, Mercer and Monongalia counties for positions within the Bureau for Family Assistance and the Bureau for Social Services. There will be interviews for several positions, including Child Protective Service workers and social service worker 3 (youth services), qualifying for a $2,500 appointment incentive with an agreement of one-year of employment. The Monongalia County event will take place from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Thursday, at 112 South High St., ...