| With West Virginia’s legislative session only days away, the items listed below are being discussed as priority when the session begins on Wednesday evening with the Governor’s State of the State address. Our preview doesn’t include priority items of Governor Jim Justice. Historically, the Governor holds his own preview for the media the morning of his speech.
As always, H2C will keep you informed of the news that transpires during the 60-day session. If at any time you have questions or want clarification on legislation, please feel free to contact us.
Reducing, or removing the business inventory tax:
“…That was the consensus of a panel of House and Senate Finance Committee members participating in a discussion on tax code legislation, as part of the West Virginia Press Association’s 2018 Legislative Lookahead on Friday…”
Charleston Gazette-Mail, January 6, 2018, by Phil Kabler
Pay raises for Corrections Officers:
“…Meanwhile, Justice appears to be on board with a plan to raise absurdly low salaries for correctional officers at state prisons, regional jails and juvenile facilities by $6,000 — a proposal the agencies have said will cost $29.59 million a year (although with potential savings of between $4 million to more than $10 million a year through expected reductions in turnover)…”
Charleston Gazette-Mail, January 7, 2018, by Phil Kabler
Natural gas co-tenancy:
“…A bill with a co-tenancy provision, which would allow natural gas drilling to take place as long as a certain percentage of ownership approves even if other co-owners object, has a good chance of passing the 2018 legislative session after coming up short last year…”
Charleston Gazette-Mail, January 5, 2018, by Max Garland
Free community college tuition plan:
“..The idea, first floated publicly last week by Senate President Mitch Carmichael, R-Jackson, is picking up support on both sides of the aisle. Delegate Larry Rowe, D-Kanawha, said during the panel he plans to introduce a similar plan to create a scholarship program that would make community college free for West Virginians…”
Charleston Gazette-Mail, January 5, 2018 by Jake Jarvis
Teacher pay raises:
“..Panel members were in agreement that teacher salaries in West Virginia need to increase in order to retain and recruit quality professionals, but had different ideas about how to tackle the issue…”
Wheeling Intelligencer, January 5, 2018, Mary Ann Heath
Sports betting in West Virginia:
“Sports betting in West Virginia has to happen this session if we are going to have an advantage over other states,” Fluharty observed. “We have to take advantage to get in front of this, instead of always being last.”
Wheeling Intelligencer, January 6, 2018, Editorial |
