This issue of Under the Dome provides a review of the fifth and sixth full weeks of the regular legislative session. Bills and actions that pertain to WVU, higher education and the State budget are highlighted.
Governor Jim Justice visited West Virginia University on March 29 as part of his Save Our State tour. President Gee, Provost McConnell and Dr. Marsh introduced the governor and guest speakers, including DOT Secretary Tom Smith and DHHR Secretary Bill Crouch.
This issue of Under the Dome provides a review of the fourth week of the regular West Virginia legislative session. Bills and actions that pertain to WVU, higher education and the State budget are highlighted.
On February 27, HB 2542 was amended on second reading to add language requiring institutions to provide 30 days’ written notice to the Staff Council and Faculty Senate when a new rule would be proposed. The following day, the bill passed the House 61-38 with one member absent.
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.”
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 recent legislative interim meetings, executive appointments and the gubernatorial transition.
The Legislature held interim meetings from December 4-6 in Charleston.
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, Corporate and Local Relations. This issue provides a review of recent interim meetings, budget estimates, gubernatorial appointments and other matters.
Revenue Secretary Bob Kiss announced that State tax collections are $81.2 million short over the past three months. The State expects to take action to close the new shortfall. Possible measures that could be taken are more across-the-board spending cuts, cuts directed at particular agencies, use of one-time funds or withdrawals from the State’s Rainy Day reserve fund or other State accounts.
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, Corporate and Local Relations. This issue provides a review of the final budget for FY2017 recently passed by the Legislature and signed by the governor.
The Legislature reconvened on June 11. After three weeks of a stalemate that seemed intractable, a bipartisan deal emerged with support from the governor, Senate and House of Delegates leadership to close the $271 million gap in the FY2017 budget.
Under the Dome is an update on actions and activities of the West Virginia Legislature, provided during the regular legislative session and interim sessions for West Virginia University faculty and staff by the WVU Office of State, Corporate and Local Relations. This issue provides a review of final action on certain bills by the governor and the legislature, as well as an update on the budget negotiations.
A bipartisan group of House and Senate members introduced bills to ensure the continued viability of WVU Tech. HB 4310 (sponsored by Delegates John O’Neal, Bill Anderson, Lynne Arvon, Mick Bates, Paul Espinosa, Barbara Fleischauer, Cindy Frich, Brian Kurcaba, Tim Miley, Eric Nelson and Joe Statler) was introduced on January 27. A companion bill, SB 386 (sponsored by Senators Jeff Mullins, Bob Beach, Craig Blair, Ed Gaunch, Mike Hall, Jeff Kessler, Roman Prezioso, Charles Trump and Bob Williams), was introduced as well.
Under the Dome is an update on actions and activities of the West Virginia Legislature, provided during the regular legislative session and interim sessions for West Virginia University faculty and staff by WVU’s Office of State, Corporate and Local Relations. This issue provides a review of the 2016 legislative session, the key accomplishments critical to WVU, the high-profile bills passed and defeated, and the budget proposals unveiled by the governor and legislature.
The second session of the 82nd Legislature concluded at midnight on March 12. Governor Tomblin extended the 60-day regular session through Tuesday, March 15, in order to deal with the budget. There was no agreement between the two chambers on the final budget. Therefore, it is expected that the legislature will reconvene in late spring to further consider the budget before the new fiscal year begins on July 1, 2016. A balanced budget must be signed by the governor before that date.