Budget plan leaves WV with smaller tax cuts and raises
West Virginia legislators wrap up a 2.93 billion spending plan for fiscal year, preserving teacher pay raises while trimming Wise proposed tax cuts. The plan absorbs a federal stimulus hit that could cost 16 million this year and 35 million next year, forcing a crash diet on revenue. Public education remains the largest share, with higher education partially restored to offset proposed tuition increases.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Feds
Senate
Osher Craige
D-Putnam
West Virginia
Wise
House rebukes freshman delegate for removing pages
In a rare move the House Rules Committee reprimanded Delegate Rebecca Mathews for taking six pages from the floor during debate on Senate Bill 283 after being told not to. Speaker Bob Kiss will draft the formal reprimand as committee members prepare a public letter.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Charleston
House
House Rules Committee
Rebecca Mathews
D-Kanawha
Bob Kiss
D-Raleigh
Mathews
Bob Wise
Kiss
A. James Manchin
Wyoming
Staton
Randy White
Vicki Douglas
Derkeley
Budget changes and spending plan details emerge
The budget cuts many agencies yet softens the impact by absorbing some health insurance costs and offering targeted relief. The State Police gain funding for a new class of about 45 troopers and equipment. Health and Human Resources receives 20 million to make a 90 million welfare cut more palatable. A sales tax holiday on certain goods in early August is approved, costing about 1 million. Wise gets 1.5 million for a Sunny Day Fund to attract and retain businesses. Lawmakers corrected a minor pension bill veto and held a brief special session to approve more year funding and update the tax code.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Department of Health and Human Resources
Wise
Lawmakers discuss federal funding for West Virginia highways
A delegation including Sen. Robert Byrd Sen. Jay Rockefeller Rep Nick Rahall II and Rep Shelly Moore Capito plans private talks with federal leaders on renewing the Federal Highway Fund and funding King Coal Highway Coalfields Expressway and Shawnee Parkway. A bus will shuttle attendees from Charleston and Beckley to Washington DC with Mercer County participants and King Coal Highway Authority members among the group.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Robert C. Byrd
Jay Rockefeller
Nick J Rahall II
Shelly Moore Capito
Mitchem
King Coal Highway
Coalfields Expressway
Shawnee Parkway
Washington D.C
Charleston
Kroger
Tamarack
Beckley
Mercer County
King Coal Highway Authority
K. A.ammar Jr
Nelson Walker
Bluefield
Christine Elmore
Princeton
WV faces uncertain federal funds for highway construction
Transportation Secretary Fred VanKirk notes West Virginia received 238 million in federal funds this year but warns next year could bring cuts of about 73 million nationally. He expects Congress to prevent reductions. Projects include the Ammar interchange near Rt. 52 and Rt. 460, about 80 percent complete at 24 million, funded 80 percent federal and 20 percent state. The I-73/74 connector work near Mercer County Airport plans a bridge over railroad tracks and a Bailey Lake bridge later. Total project cost around 53 million, with Byrd Rahall money targeting Horsepen Mountain work using Premier Coat for mountain top removal. Contact Barbara Hawkins.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
West Virginia
Fred VanKirk
Mountain State
Vankirk
Congress
Ments
State Division of Highway
Ammar
Rt. 52
John Nash
Rt. 460
Rt. 123
Mercer County
Bailey Lake
Byrd- Rahall
Premier Coat ™ Company
Barbara Hawkins
Bhawkins
Bottonline.com
Witten proposes board to hold executive session start
Witten urges the Tazewell County board to start 5 30 p m executive session immediately with return to open session at 7 p m for public input. If supported, he will seek a motion at the March 25 or April 8 meeting. He invites responses by phone at 276 963 2804 or by email at wit10 netscope dot net.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Tazewell Middle School
Witten
Netscope
Charles Owens
Cowens
Bottonline
Board of Directors
Municipal Complex
Planning Commission
City of
Bluefield
Zoning Commission
Deadline for weekly Backpack submissions set by Bluefield paper
The notice invites readers to submit original articles and photographs for the Backpack page. It specifies a Wednesday weekly deadline and provides mailing details to Martha Shott at 422 Oakhurst Avenue, Bluefield, WV 24701.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Martha Shott
Oakhurst Avenue
Bluefield
Also Mentioned on This Page
Daughters of Delegates
Rick Staton
A-1
Nick Rahall II
Bluefield Planning Commission
City Engineering Department
Donetta Rose
Bluefield Frontier
Frontier
THE
Berry Company
Lau As Yee
Frontierpages
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