Reporter Roundtable Explores Senate’s Proposed Tax Plan, Energy Issues And Birthing Centers
Feb 10, 2023
Show notes
On this episode of The Legislature Today, we have another Friday reporter roundtable. This week, Chris Schulz and WVPB’s Energy and Environment Reporter Curtis Tate are joined by Leah Willingham from the Associated Press.
Also, the question on the minds of many capitol watchers is, “Will we see any sort of tax reform passed this session?” The House Finance Committee chairman said he’s now had time to digest this week's sweeping Senate tax reduction plan. Randy Yohe has the latest.
Bill proposals on using tax dollars as venture capital and toughening distracted driving laws took center stage on the House floor Friday. Yohe also has this wrap-up.
Finally, about a dozen community members were invited to the Senate Judiciary Committee to discuss issues around the scheduling of three substances in a meeting that stretched for hours, before a confusing ending. Chris Schulz has more.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwSyueoiWjM
The Legislature Today is West Virginia’s only television/radio simulcast devoted to covering the state’s 60-day regular legislative session.
Watch or listen to new episodes Monday through Friday at 6 p.m. on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.
Stakeholders Talk Energy Cost Concerns
Feb 09, 2023
Show notes
On this episode of The Legislature Today, energy costs have gone up for West Virginians in the past couple of years. Local governments in the state have been some of the most vocal opponents of utility rate increases.
Energy & Environment Reporter Curtis Tate speaks with Emmett Pepper of the Charleston City Council and Kent Carper, president of the Kanawha County Commission, who say they’d like the West Virginia Legislature to get more involved in the effort.
Also, the abortion debate returned to the House floor Thursday, along with concerns on how taxpayer dollars are spent and more.
The Senate passed a bill aimed at correcting a bill passed during last year’s legislative session. What was intended as a bill to help facilitate access to records ended up doing the exact opposite. Chris Schulz has more.
Finally, the Senate Committee on Health and Human Resources took up the much anticipated issue of PEIA reform.
Having trouble viewing the video below? Click here to watch it on YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQMhzNZ8mbg
The Legislature Today is West Virginia’s only television/radio simulcast devoted to covering the state’s 60-day regular legislative session.
Watch or listen to new episodes Monday through Friday at 6 p.m. on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.
Health Leadership Discuss DHHR Restructuring And More
Feb 08, 2023
Show notes
On this episode of The Legislature Today, Appalachia Health News Reporter Emily Rice speaks with the chairs of the House and Senate Health committees – Sen. Mike Maroney, R-Marshall, and Del. Amy Summers, R-Taylor. Both lawmakers have been directly involved with legislation that would restructure the DHHR.
Also, Senate Republicans gathered in front of the Senate chamber Wednesday morning to present a wide-ranging tax reduction plan for West Virginia. As Chris Schulz reports, Gov. Jim Justice voiced his approval of the proposal, and the Senate met later in the evening to suspend rules and approve the measure. It now goes to the House of Delegates for consideration.
Finally, in our hills and hollows state, agriculture is often a challenge, especially for the small family farm. On Agriculture Day at the West Virginia Legislature, Randy Yohe found a multi-generational farmer, honoring the past while focused on the future.
Having trouble viewing the video below? Click here to watch it on YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwjIhbFuz7E
The Legislature Today is West Virginia’s only television/radio simulcast devoted to covering the state’s 60-day regular legislative session.
Watch or listen to new episodes Monday through Friday at 6 p.m. on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.
A Discussion About HB 2007 And What It Could Mean For Gender-Affirming Medical Care In W.Va.
Feb 07, 2023
Show notes
On this episode of The Legislature Today, the House of Delegates last week approved House Bill 2007. The bill would limit gender-affirming medical care for anyone under 18. During two committee hearings on the bill, lawmakers called no expert witnesses. Curtis Tate talks with Del. Danielle Walker, D-Monongalia, and Isabella Cortez, gender policy manager with Fairness West Virginia, to understand the potential impacts.
Also, the Senate Education Committee took up a bill Tuesday morning that hopes to address the hundreds of vacancies in certified teacher positions across the state. Chris Schulz has more.
The Senate completed action on five bills today, including Senate Bill 296. The bill codifies the procedures for virtual public meetings during an emergency, including proper conduct and rules for public observation and participation.
Finally, lawmakers on the House floor discussed the risks and benefits of forgoing a Certificate of Need for birthing centers to open in West Virginia. Appalachia Health News Reporter Emily Rice has more.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5O_v1wu5xk4
The Legislature Today is West Virginia’s only television/radio simulcast devoted to covering the state’s 60-day regular legislative session.
Watch or listen to new episodes Monday through Friday at 6 p.m. on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.
Education Leaders Talk Legislative Priorities
Feb 06, 2023
Show notes
On this episode of The Legislature Today, the state's political, business and community leaders generally agree that a quality education is the key to West Virginia's future.
Education Reporter Chris Schulz sat down with Sen. Amy Grady, R-Mason, the Senate Education Committee chair, and Del. David Elliot Pritt, D-Fayette, the Minority vice chair of the House Education Committee, to learn more about what is being done to secure the state's future.
Also, it was a relatively quiet day at the West Virginia Legislature, with the Senate only passing three bills.
The House Finance Committee debated a wide variety of bills that were recommended for passage. One highlighted the Form Energy project, and another addressed the shortage of qualified school bus drivers.
Finally, it was Domestic Violence Awareness Day at the Capitol. Chris Schulz has the story.
Having trouble viewing the video below? Click here to watch it on YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzCcLQ2WgGk
The Legislature Today is West Virginia’s only television/radio simulcast devoted to covering the state’s 60-day regular legislative session.
Watch or listen to new episodes Monday through Friday at 6 p.m. on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.
Reporter Roundtable Explores Health Legislation
Feb 03, 2023
Show notes
On this episode of The Legislature Today, there have been a number of health-related issues discussed this legislative session – from gender-affirming care, to PEIA coverage and foster care. For this week’s reporter roundtable, Chris Schulz speaks with WVPB’s Appalachia Health News Reporter Emily Rice and Allen Siegler from Mountain State Spotlight.
Also, the West Virginia House of Delegates approved House Bill 2007 on Friday. The legislation would limit gender-affirming medical treatments and surgeries for transgender youth. HB 2007 passed on a vote of 84 to 10. It now goes to the Senate.
The Senate took up two bills Friday relating to gambling in the state, and two of the bills considered on third reading in the House dealt with immigration laws and county financial transparency.
Finally, the Senate Finance Committee spent the first several weeks of the session hearing budgetary presentations from every department of state government. But Friday morning, the committee turned its attention to how the last of the state’s coronavirus relief funds were spent. Chris Schulz has this story.
Having trouble viewing the video below? Click here to watch it on YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_oVPefwlvU
The Legislature Today is West Virginia’s only television/radio simulcast devoted to covering the state’s 60-day regular legislative session.
Watch or listen to new episodes Monday through Friday at 6 p.m. on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.
A Look At Education Challenges And Proposals
Feb 02, 2023
Show notes
On this episode of The Legislature Today, from school safety to student success, there has already been a lot of discussion around the state's educational system this legislative session. Education Reporter Chris Schulz sat down with two West Virginia teachers to discuss the state of our schools and some of the proposed changes.
Also, more than 70 opponents of House Bill 2007 testified in the West Virginia House of Delegates Thursday morning. Only two witnesses spoke in support. The bill would limit gender-affirming medical care for transgender youth.
Following that nearly two-hour public hearing, House Democrats tried to amend the bill. One amendment would have forbidden all elective surgeries, like rhinoplasty or breast augmentation. This amendment and another Democrat-proposed amendment failed along party lines.
Finally, a second public hearing in the House pushed back against House Bill 2883, which would deliver $500 million in COVID-19 relief funds to the governor for economic development projects.
Having trouble viewing the video below? Click here to view it on YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1s3QGvJ0SXw
The Legislature Today is West Virginia’s only television/radio simulcast devoted to covering the state’s 60-day regular legislative session.
Watch or listen to new episodes Monday through Friday at 6 p.m. on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.
Gov. Jim Justice Talks Budget And Taxes
Feb 01, 2023
Show notes
On this episode of The Legislature Today, government reporter Randy Yohe sat down with Gov. Jim Justice to discuss a number of issues facing the state, including budget surpluses and tax reductions.
Also, the Senate passed several bills Wednesday, including Senate Bill 426, which allows the state's chief information security officer to establish standards for, and ultimately block or ban, access to technological services, apps, programs or products on government devices. One example that has been at the forefront of this debate is the popular app TikTok.
And the Senate Finance Committee spent an hour Tuesday on the budget for the Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation, which oversees the state’s prisons and jails.
Finally, a bill concerning the authority of the Foster Care Ombudsman passed the House of Delegates unanimously.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFAduhHGiWg
The Legislature Today is West Virginia’s only television/radio simulcast devoted to covering the state’s 60-day regular legislative session.
Watch or listen to new episodes Monday through Friday at 6 p.m. on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.
House Committees Advance ‘Anti-Racism’ Bill And Restrictions To Gender-Affirming Medical Care
Jan 31, 2023
Show notes
On this episode of The Legislature Today, Government Reporter Randy Yohe speaks with Senate Finance Chair Eric Tarr, R-Putnam, and House Finance Committee member Del. Larry Rowe, D-Kanawha, to get the latest on the state budget.
Also, the House Education Committee had a vigorous debate Monday on a bill titled the Anti-Racism Act of 2023. This is the same bill that died in the final hours of the 2022 state legislative session.
The House Judiciary Committee advanced a bill to restrict gender-affirming medical care for transgender minors. As Curtis Tate reports, the bill has more restrictions than one approved earlier by the House Health and Human Resources Committee.
Finally, state education groups say school discipline is at a near crisis level. A bill debated in the House is intended to offer educators a tool to limit disruption in the classroom. Randy Yohe monitored that debate.
Having trouble viewing the video below? Click here to watch it on YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJEufucg6qI
The Legislature Today is West Virginia’s only television/radio simulcast devoted to covering the state’s 60-day regular legislative session.
Watch or listen to new episodes Monday through Friday at 6 p.m. on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.
Lawmakers Discuss Needs In W.Va.’s Jails
Jan 30, 2023
Show notes
On this episode of The Legislature Today, reporter Chris Schulz talks with Del. David Kelly, R-Tyler, and Sen. Mike Caputo, D-Marion, to get their take on the state’s jail challenges and how the West Virginia Legislature could help.
Also, it was a busy day for the West Virginia Senate as they passed a dozen bills, ranging from issues about schools to health care and substance use.
Two more bills have passed through the legislative process and are now on their way to Gov. Jim Justice for his signature. Senate Bill 143 is titled Relating to Adopt-A-Stream Program, and Senate Bill 231 transfers administration of West Virginia Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Matching Funds Program to the West Virginia Department of Economic Development.
Finally, West Virginia’s farms and forests were on display at the Capitol Monday. Randy Yohe discovered a new take on dairy farming and the possibility of expanding the state's fledgling furniture manufacturing industry.
Having trouble viewing the video below? Click here to watch it on YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9hcZibFYeQ
The Legislature Today is West Virginia’s only television/radio simulcast devoted to covering the state’s 60-day regular legislative session.
Watch or listen to new episodes Monday through Friday at 6 p.m. on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.
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