Under the Dome

Under the Dome delivers a review of the issues considered by the 83rd Legislature during its Second Session and provides information on matters that affect WVU and higher education. This edition covers updates on several issues.

In June, Governor Justice announced the creation of the Blue Ribbon Commission of Four-Year Higher Education to study and evaluate ways that the State can create a more efficient and meaningful higher education system. The commission was tasked with finding bold and unique solutions and presenting those findings and recommendations to the Legislature by the December 2018 interim meetings.

Under the Dome delivers a review of the issues considered by the 83rd Legislature during its Second Session and provides information on matters that affect WVU and higher education. This edition covers the final days of the session and details action on bills passed by the Legislature and signed or vetoed by the Governor.

Following two years of extended sessions to deal with the State budget, the Legislature passed the budget unanimously on the last day of the regular session. This is the first time in 36 years that a budget has passed during the 60-day session.

On March 6, the West Virginia Legislature passed a bill to give teachers, school service personnel and state police officers a five-percent pay raise. The governor held a press conference to sign the bill, ending the nine-day teacher strike. The bill (HB 4145) passed unanimously in both the House and the Senate. As part of the agreement between the governor and legislators, other state employees will receive a five-percent pay raise via the FY 2019 budget bill. Additionally, the Legislature has approved a pay raise for correction officers in separate legislation.

Watch a video of Vice President for Strategic Initiatives Rob Alsop explain what this will mean for WVU faculty and staff.

Under the Dome delivers a review of the issues being considered by the 83rd Legislature during its Second Session and provides information on matters that affect WVU and higher education.

On February 12, House Bill 4298 passed the House Education Committee. The bill would prohibit our Board of Governors, except in three defined instances, from banning individuals with a concealed weapon permit from carrying a concealed weapon on our campuses or in our buildings. Current law authorizes the Board of Governors and administration to make those decisions.

Under the Dome delivers a review of the issues being considered by the 83rd Legislature during its Second Session and provides information on matters that affect WVU and higher education.

House Bill 4298 would prohibit our Board of Governors, except in three defined instances, from banning individuals with a concealed weapon permit from carrying a concealed weapon on our campuses or in our buildings. Current law authorizes the Board of Governors and administration to make those decisions.

Under the Dome delivers a review of the issues being considered by the 83rd Legislature during its Second Session and provides information on matters that affect WVU and higher education.

On Friday, House Bill 4298 passed the House Education committee on a voice vote. Provost Joyce McConnell, Vice President Rob Alsop and WVU Police Chief Bob Roberts shared the University’s major concerns with the legislation and answered members’ questions.

Under the Dome delivers a review of the recent issues being considered by the 83rd Legislature during its Second Session and provides information on matters under consideration that affect WVU and higher education.

House Bill 4298 was introduced last week by several members of the House of Delegates. It would prohibit our Board of Governors, except in three defined instances, from banning individuals with a concealed weapon permit from carrying a concealed weapon on our campuses or in our buildings. We note that current law authorizes the Board of Governors and administration to make those decisions.

Under the Dome provides a review of the recent issues being considered by the 83rd Legislature during its Second Session and provides information on issues under consideration that affect WVU and higher education.

House Bill 4298 was introduced this week by several members of the House of Delegates. It would prohibit our Board of Governors, except in three defined instances, from banning individuals with a concealed weapon permit from carrying a concealed weapon on our campuses or in our buildings. We note that current law authorizes the Board of Governors and administration to make those decisions.

This issue of Under the Dome provides a review of recent Legislative Interim Meetings, updates on the 2018 budget and issues under consideration that affect WVU and higher education.

During November interims, Revenue Secretary Dave Hardy announced that, for the first time in three years, there would be no need for mid-year budget cuts by State agencies. Tax collections are off by just $8 million for the first four months of the fiscal year. Comparatively, at this time last year, the estimates were behind by $87 million.

This issue of Under the Dome provides a review of the final weeks and last day of the regular legislative session. Bills and actions that pertain to WVU, higher education and the State budget are highlighted.

On the last day of session, the House and Senate passed a budget bill — HB 2018. The legislation passed the Senate 22-12 and the House 63-37, mostly along party lines.