Under the Dome

Under the Dome is an update on actions and activities of the West Virginia Legislature, provided during the regular legislative session, interim sessions and special sessions for West Virginia University faculty and staff by WVU’s Office of State and Local Relations. This issue provides a review of the third full week of the regular legislative session.

HB 2542 passed the House Education Committee on Wednesday with minor changes. The bill will be read a third time and up for a vote on Tuesday, February 28. A companion bill, SB 274, was introduced two weeks ago in the State Senate. Details follow on final pages.

Under the Dome is an update on actions and activities of the West Virginia Legislature, provided during the regular legislative session, interim sessions and special sessions for West Virginia University faculty and staff by WVU’s Office of State and Local Relations. This issue provides a review of the second full week of the regular legislative session.

Following the governor’s State of the State address, detailing his plan to increase tax revenue and eventually eliminate the State’s income tax, the State Senate introduced a bill (SB 335) to overhaul and reform the State’s tax system.

Under the Dome is an update on actions and activities of the West Virginia Legislature, provided during the regular legislative session, interim sessions and special sessions for West Virginia University faculty and staff by WVU’s Office of State and Local Relations. This issue provides a review of the governor’s State of the State address, the first week of regular session, legislative budget hearings and recent vacancies and appointments.

Using a whiteboard to explain his proposals, metaphors to convey his ideas and no teleprompter of scripted remarks, Governor Jim Justice delivered his first State of the State last Wednesday. The governor spoke primarily of the estimated $500 million budget gap facing the State, and his request for increased revenue and further cuts to fix the problem. The governor proclaimed that his budget was a “responsible” measure that would “generate new revenues, create jobs and invest in the Mountain State’s future.”