Reporter Roundtable Talks Tax Reform, Campus Carry And Workforce Needs
Jan 27, 2023
Show notes
On this episode of The Legislature Today, our WVPB reporters Randy Yohe and Chris Schulz sit down with fellow reporter Steven Allen Adams of Odgen Newspapers to discuss the past week at West Virginia’s statehouse.
Also, the Senate suspended its own rules to pass a bill Friday morning. Senate Bill 510 was introduced and passed by the chamber in less than five minutes. Senate Finance Chair Sen. Eric Tarr, R-Putnam, said the move was necessary to address a budgeting oversight around the state’s newly formed charter schools.
The Senate’s Workforce Committee met after the regular floor session Friday. As Chris Schulz reports, they heard two reports on the state’s workforce situation: one about what’s being done, and one about what could be done.
And getting young, out-of-state professionals, especially in the medical industry, to make a life and career in West Virginia is an across the board challenge. On West Virginia Rural Health Workforce Day at the West Virginia Legislature, Randy Yohe gets to the crux of helping meet that challenge.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vaGSXYsYTso
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.
Building W.Va.’s Workforce And Fighting Hunger
Jan 26, 2023
Show notes
On this episode of The Legislature Today, Government Reporter Randy Yohe talks with the chairmen of the Senate and House Workforce committees, Sen. Rollan Roberts, R-Raleigh, and Del. Evan Worrell, R-Cabell.
West Virginia has seen a huge jump in companies declaring their intentions to open new manufacturing facilities here. And that means good paying jobs, a majority of which will be open to those without a college degree. But one question is do have enough people here to fill those jobs?
Also, the House Education Committee passed a bill Wednesday that would allow teachers to serve as armed school protection officers. Yohe has the story.
Finally, according to food bank network Feeding America, 1 in 8 people in West Virginia face hunger every day. As Chris Schulz reports, advocates brought the issue to lawmakers Thursday.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xj-0VElDDXE
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.
W.Va. Delegates Talk Energy Issues
Jan 26, 2023
Show notes
On this episode of The Legislature Today, two bills have passed through both chambers of the West Virginia Legislature and have been approved by Gov. Jim Justice. They are Senate Bill 161 and Senate Bill 162.
The two bills are expected to be used to recruit a possible hydrogen manufacturing project using natural gas. Emissions from the manufacturing process would be pumped underground through the carbon capture and storage process.
Energy & Environment Reporter Curtis Tate talks about the two pieces of legislation with Del. Bill Anderson, R-Wood, Chairman of the House Energy Committee, and Del. Kayla Young, D-Kanawha, Minority Vice Chair of the House Energy Committee.
Also, the Senate has passed a bill to improve law enforcement’s awareness of and ability to interact with citizens who have certain mental health conditions. Reporter Chris Schulz has more.
And it was Aviation Day at the legislature, with the Capitol rotunda filled with high flying industry representatives. As Randy Yohe shows us, when it comes to West Virginia pilots, plane mechanics and especially manufacturing jobs, demand is far exceeding supply.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-Sk2fEQUD8
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 Consider Bills To Permit Campus Carry And Limit Governor’s Emergency Powers
Jan 25, 2023
Show notes
On this episode of The Legislature Today, the Senate passed a bill that would allow the concealed carry of handguns on the state’s university campuses. Reporter Chris Schulz has more.
Also, a bill that would clarify the authority of governor and legislature to proclaim and declare a state of emergency and preparedness, passed the House 93-3. The Senate passed the bill on the opening day of the state legislative session. Efforts by senators and delegates to limit the governor’s emergency powers began in last summer’s interim sessions.
And, with little discussion, the Senate Education Committee moved forward on a bill that would require posters in all state supported schools to display the U.S. motto of “In God We Trust.” The posters must be donated and could only include images of the West Virginia and United States flags.
Finally, Government Reporter Randy Yohe joins our host Bob Brunner to discuss the Coalfield Communities Grant Facilitation Commission. The commission’s objective is to funnel federal and private dollars to revitalize coalfield communities.
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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.
PEIA, Unemployment And The Legislature Celebrates Tourism Day
Jan 24, 2023
Show notes
On this episode of The Legislature Today, reporter Chris Schulz talks with Del. Charlie Reynolds, R-Marshall, and Fred Albert, the president of the American Federation of Teachers — West Virginia, to get their perspectives on the latest concerns surrounding PEIA — the health care benefit for state employees and teachers.
Also, in this show, a bill passed in the Senate Monday morning, requiring all West Virginia hospitals with emergency departments to have a trained Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner available to treat survivors 24 hours a day. Reporters Schulz and Emily Rice have the story.
And state tourism revenue in 2022 set an all-time record with $5 Billion dollars in traveler spending. Those gains were impacted in all areas of the state. As Randy Yohe shows us, “Almost Heaven” was on full display as “Tourism Day” filled the state Capitol rotunda halls.
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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 Reflects On First Full Week Of 2023 Session
Jan 20, 2023
Show notes
On this episode of The Legislature Today, the pace is beginning to pick up at the West Virginia Legislature as bills are passing through their originating chambers.
The House Committee on Health and Human Resources passed a bill Thursday, which would require medical marijuana be added to the controlled substance monitoring database. Our Appalachia Health News Reporter Emily Rice has more.
A presentation before the House Jails and Prison Committee on Thursday sparked alarm over critical understaffing and public safety issues. Government Reporter Randy Yohe has the story.
Also, the House Health and Human Resources Committee advanced a bill this week that would limit medical care options for transgender minors. As Curtis Tate reports, it’s part of a nationwide push against the rights of transgender youth and their parents.
And finally, WVPB reporters Yohe and Chris Schulz are joined by Crystal Good, the founder and publisher of Black By God | The West Virginian, for a reporter roundtable.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LWrQJYGexA
The Legislature Today - January 20, 2023
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.
Campus Carry Legislation Advances In The Senate And Lawmakers Discuss Early Childhood Education Reforms
Jan 19, 2023
Show notes
On this episode of The Legislature Today, the Senate Judiciary Committee advanced a bill to the Senate floor that would allow the concealed carry of handguns on the state’s university campuses. Reporter Chris Schulz has more.
Gov. Jim Justice’s 50 percent income tax cut proposal was passed by the House on Wednesday. But the bill received a cold reception in the Senate. Government Reporter Randy Yohe spoke with Senate Finance Chairman Sen. Eric Tarr, R-Putnam, on why he thinks the house bill is “dead on arrival,” and what might be proposed in its place.
Yohe also sat down with Sen. Bob Plymale, D-Wayne, and Del. Joe Statler, R-Monongalia, to discuss how proposed early childhood education reforms may affect West Virginia children, school systems and the taxpayer.
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The Legislature Today - January 19, 2023
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.
Governor Tests Positive For COVID-19, Delegates Pass Income Tax Reduction And A Policy Expert Talks Budget
Jan 18, 2023
Show notes
On this episode of The Legislature Today, Gov. Jim Justice has tested positive for COVID-19. Appalachia Health News Reporter Emily Rice joins our host Bob Brunner to discuss what that means for the legislative session and the state.
Also, in this show, the House of Delegates overwhelmingly passed its version of Justice’s 50 percent income tax reduction proposal. But before that happened, the Democratic minority proposed an even deeper tax cut for low-income taxpayers. Government Reporter Randy Yohe has the story.
It was Jan Lilly Stewart Disability Advocacy Day at the West Virginia Capitol. As Chris Schulz reports, it's an opportunity for the disability community to come together and let their voices be heard.
Finally, Schulz sat down with policy expert Sean O’Leary to discuss possibilities for this year’s proposed state budget. The budget is the only piece of legislation that must be passed each year but approaches to how it should be structured vary widely. Republicans hold a super-majority, but at this time are still divided on how to deliver promised tax cuts to West Virginians.
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The Legislature Today - January 18, 2023
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.
Speaking With House Speaker Hanshaw And Education Priorities
Jan 17, 2023
Show notes
On this episode of The Legislature Today, government reporter Randy Yohe sits down with House Speaker Roger Hanshaw, R-Clay. We get his take on progress and problems in these early legislative general session days.
We also have a story from education reporter Chris Schulz, who attended Tuesday’s Senate Education Committee meeting and spoke to its chairwoman, Sen. Amy Grady, R-Mason. As the legislature settles into the business of lawmaking, committees represent a crucial step in the process. It’s where legislators can study and discuss a bill in depth before returning it to the floor.
Other notable goings-on included West Virginia University men’s basketball coach and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer Bob Huggins being honored by both House and Senate chambers, the state chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union lobbying lawmakers on topics including criminal justice reform and LGBTQ rights, and the Girl Scouts’ Black Diamond Council visiting the Capitol Rotunda.
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The Legislature Today - January 17, 2023
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.
An Interview With Senate President Blair And Celebrating Martin Luther King Jr.
Jan 16, 2023
Show notes
On this episode of The Legislature Today, reporter Chris Schulz sits down with Senate President Craig Blair, R-Berkeley. The state Senate wasted no time in getting to work this year, passing 25 bills in the first two days of the legislative session. Republicans hold a supermajority, and despite an early start in the Senate, there’s still a lot of work to be done. Improvements to the state’s educational system, departmental restructuring and promised tax cuts are on Blair’s agenda this year.
We also take a look at the State Capitol’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration, courtesy of reporter Randy Yohe. Unity was the theme for the proceedings, and as Yohe shows us, the human rights that Dr. King fought for decades ago continue to this day.
Having trouble viewing the video? Click here to watch it on YouTube.
The Legislature Today - January 16, 2023
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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