Hopes dim for pension relief as session winds down
West Virginia lawmakers race to pass a Senate backed plan to aid cities with fire and police pension debts amid rural opposition. The House Finance panel rewrote the bill to fund recruitment and retention but faces resistance from rural delegates. The plan would restore an insurance surcharge to fund a relief pool and create a nine member oversight board to manage funds, with fears of strain on state finances and bond ratings if cities default.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Charleston
West Virginia
House
Bob Ashley
R-Roane
Senate
Sharon Spencer
D-Kanawha
Huntington
Ashley
Dan Foster
Munici
Foster
Tom Campbell
Greenbrier
Oversight Board
Campbell
House Pensions and Retirement
Wall Street
West Virginia bills push colleges toward independence
A Senate bill would make all 10 community and technical colleges in West Virginia independent entities. Supporters say independence boosts workforce training and focus, citing successes at four institutions already operating separately from four year universities. Southern WV’s Southern West Virginia CTC, Northern WV CTC, New River CTC, and Blue Ridge CTC have recent independence, seen as leg up to grow and clarify mission. Senator John Unger backs the move, noting Blue Ridge’s clearer identity after separation.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Charleston
West Virginia
Senate
Jim Skidmore
Community-Technical College
Williamson
Northern
Wheeling
New River
Beckley
Blue Ridge
Martinsburg
Blue Ridge Community and Technical College
Shepherd University
John Unger
D-Berkeley
Panel endorses foreclosure prevention bill in Richmond
A House of Delegates committee endorsed Governor Kaine's foreclosure reprieve measure by a 19-3 vote. The bill targets high interest subprime loans, requiring lenders to provide borrower contact information for at least three counseling agencies and add 30 days before loan acceleration. Supporters call it helpful. opponents say lenders already work with borrowers.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Richmond
House of Delegates
Commerce and Labor Committee
Tim Kaine
West Virginia Shelves Real ID Blocking Bill
The West Virginia House Roads and Transportation Committee let a Senate bill die, shelving a measure that would block state participation in Real ID. Senate sponsor Barnes and ACLU argued the move invades privacy, while supporters noted compliance extensions and lower startup costs. The dialogue stressed future changes and potential flight-identification requirements.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Charleston
Big
West Virginia
Barnes
Washington
Bluefield Sanitary Board gains Virginia representation after years of unity
Bluefield West Virginia and Bluefield Virginia reach a compromise allowing Virginia side representation on the Sanitary Board of Bluefield after a long process. Lawmakers note the move follows a two-year effort and roughly 250000 dollars in legal fees. Day and Puckett credit leaders from both Bluefields for the cross state cooperation. Virginia plans await governor’s action as legislators review the SB579 bill.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
West Virginia
Virginia
Laura Ramsburg
Joe Manchin
Sanitary Board of
Bluefield
Manchin
Timothy Kaine
Dayi
Mercer
Tazewell
Sanitary Board
Phillip P Puckett
D-Russell
Puckett
Senate
Virginia General Assembly
Bluefields
Day
Bill Archer
Barcher
Bottonline.com
City RV rule faces pushback from residents and official
Steele says setback rules must place RVs behind a line across the lot. Eight letters were issued to RV owners not in compliance with a city ordinance on campers and mobile homes stored on property. Shrader seeks agenda time to challenge the ordinance, calling it excessive and targeting only few who can afford RVs. Violations are treated as misdemeanors.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Congress
Division of
Motor Vehicles
Hrutkay
Deem
Department of Homeland Security
House
Steele
Shrader
Charles Owens
Cowens
Bottonline.com
Equine park funding questioned amid park and trail funding debate
Lawmakers debated the equestrian park amendment and its impact on Hatfield McCoy Trail funding and Mercer County projects. Business leaders argued a $100,000 annual contribution would not raise tolls, while officials warned diverting highway funds could raise costs and affect maintenance. The Hatfield McCoy Recreational Authority warned funding cuts could force budget adjustments, with 15 full time staff and a potential future director.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Truman Chafin
D-Mingo
Senate
Mercer County
Parkway Authority
Authority
Robert Farley
Princeton
Meachum
Jeffrey Lusk
Hatfield-McCoy Recreational Authority
Also Mentioned on This Page
Eric DiNovo
Mike Underwood
Bluefield City Park
W.va
Bill
Ches
Mannix
Porterfield Register-Herald
Transportation
Paul Mattox
ACLU
Seth DiStefano
J. Frank Deem
R Wood
Sanitary
A-1
Lusk
Trail Authority
Boyd
Ver
Rte
Sam
Soya Automotive
T Boydauto
Liberty
Ures
Geser
Ghee
Cees
Strum Cee
Court Tan Glaire
U.S
Insurance
George Lovegrove
Donald Teter
Rickey Bradley
Matt Arvon
Tammy King
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