August 2023 interims
Making it through our first special session of the West Virginia Legislature
Well, we did it — we survived our first legislative interim and special session. And it was within a month of our launch. The Monday before interims, we tried to determine who wanted to attend what sessions, which was just a guessing game since the agendas weren’t made available until later in the week. We […]
A look at what bills failed during West Virginia’s special session
A hurried special session wrapped up last Tuesday evening, where Legislators passed 35 of the 44 bills proposed to them in a packed proclamation from Gov. Jim Justice. Bills currently awaiting Justice’s signature include new policies for the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitations and several budget allocations for everything from pay raises and bonuses for […]
Budget appropriations drag out West Virginia special session; 35 of 44 bills passed
The West Virginia Legislature ended a three-day special session Tuesday, where they passed 35 of 44 bills requested by Gov. Jim Justice. After weeks of anticipation, Justice called the special session on Sunday afternoon with just 30 minute notice. The special session overlapped with previously scheduled interim meetings, leading to several being canceled between Sunday […]
State tries to address growing number of foster kids in residential care
The number of West Virginia foster kids in residential care is increasing, despite a federal mandate to reduce the number of children in facilities, some who are housed out of state. There are currently 511 kids in residential care, state data shows. State health department leadership told lawmakers Tuesday that the department developed a new […]
Hornbuckle makes history as first Black man elected to WV’s minority leader position
House Democrats elected Del. Sean Hornbuckle as their minority leader, marking a historic moment for the party as he is the first Black man to take on the role. “I think it’s more of a testament to my caucus to have that confidence in me,” said Hornbuckle, D-Cabell. “It’s surreal to have the opportunity to […]
Pay raises, bonuses and more: Legislators tackle jails in second day of special session
Almost exactly a year after Gov. Jim Justice declared a state of emergency for West Virginia’s jails — where correctional officer vacancy rates are at an all-time high and mortality rates for those incarcerated are some of the highest in the nation — the state Legislature tackled a number of proposed laws Monday attempting to […]
‘Third Grade Success Act’ implementation underway for new school year
State education leaders and schools are working to implement new reading and math teaching strategies as required under a new state law. The legislation, known as the “Third Grade Success Act,” also requires schools to staff new positions while the state is experiencing teacher and staff shortages. West Virginia Department of Education leadership shared updates […]
WV legislative special session started Sunday with suspension of rules, fast-tracking bills
With just 30 minutes of notice from the governor, the West Virginia Legislature gavelled in Sunday for a special session where both chambers suspended rules to advance a number of bills to third reading with almost no discussion. While Gov. Jim Justice spent the early afternoon at the controversial LIV golf tournament at his Greenbrier […]