Legislature begins work this week

Members of the state legislature will begin meeting in Charleston Monday to wrap up interim committee meetings and prepare for the Feb. beginning of the 60-day regular session.

Some of the interim committees will meet Monday and Tuesday to finalize draft legislation to be considered during the session. The committee that focuses on jails and prisons may discuss a judge’s recent order calling for serious consideration of closing the Salem Industrial Home for Youths. That committee meets Monday morning. Other meetings are scheduled on health care, education and other issues.

Wednesday is called the Opening Day of the legislative session even though the session won’t actually begin for another five weeks. The formal re-elections of House of Delegates Speaker Rick Thompson and Senate President Jeff Kessler will take place Wednesday along with the swearing-in of House and Senate members who were elected last Nov. Republicans now have control of 46 of the House’s 100 seats. Committee appointments could also be announced this week.

Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin will be sworn-in to office next week followed by a break that will allow him to work on his legislative agenda. The 60-day regular session will begin Feb. 13.





More News

News
Governor signs bill phasing out state taxes on Social Security and receives praise
The phase-out would mean a 35% cut retroactive to Jan. 1, 2024; 65% in 2025 and 100% in 2026.
March 28, 2024 - 11:46 am
News
West Virginia Parkways Authority prepares for Easter travelers on the Turnpike
More than 500,000 transactions are projected at the West Virginia Turnpike through Monday.
March 28, 2024 - 11:30 am
News
Governor vetoes vaccination exemption bill, and now that debate is primed to get even bigger
House Bill 5105 would have removed vaccination requirements for students in virtual public schools, and it also would have allowed private and parochial schools to set their own standards.
March 28, 2024 - 11:14 am
News
Lottery reports $50,000 Powerball ticket sold in Charleston
Four numbers and Power Ball matched.
March 28, 2024 - 10:24 am


Your Comments