Podcast - The Legislature Today Story Archives - West Virginia Public Broadcasting

Latest Episodes:

Updates On Bills To Aid W.Va.'s Distressed Water Systems, Enhance Solar Utilities Feb 19, 2020

Show notes

We bring you updates on the energy and environment legislation we've been following, and we also meet some students who visited the Capitol to participate in the page program for their local lawmakers.

Host Suzanne Higgins speaks with senior reporter Dave Mistich and reporter Emily Allen for the latest news from the West Virginia Legislature.

Also, West Virginia Public Broadcasting’s energy and environment reporter Brittany Patterson joins Higgins and Allen to discuss the latest movement on two bills. One aims to aid distressed water systems in the state (HB 4953), and the other would create a program to further develop solar utilities in West Virginia (SB 583).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEZEYQH20Pg

The long-running page program at the Capitol has been teaching West Virginia students about the legislative process and helping to develop leaders for many years. Randy Yohe reports.

Thursday on The Legislature Today, we’ll bring you a special report and follow-up conversation on broadband expansion in West Virginia.

Foster Care, Medicaid, Adverse Childhood Experiences – A Conversation On Health Related Legislation Feb 18, 2020

Show notes

We bring you a special report on the state's Medical Cannabis program and a bill this session to expand it to further accommodate patients. We'll also bring you an update on other major health bills from members of the House Health and Human Resources Committee.

Host Suzanne Higgins speaks with reporter Emily Allen for the latest in West Virginia Legislative news.

Both the House and Senate Health and Human Resources Committees have produced legislation this session that would impact the foster care system, Medicaid, insulin costs, substance use disorder, and child welfare. Higgins sat down with House Health Vice Chair, Del. Jeffrey Pack, R-Raleigh, and fellow committee member, Del. Cindy Lavender-Bowe, D-Greenbrier, to hear the latest.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tq01D6ITwKs

In 2017, the state's Medical Cannabis program was passed by the West Virginia Legislature, but the program is not yet up and running. Dave Mistich reports on a rules bundle and another bill that could further define how the medical cannabis program would ultimately operate.

The DHHR rules bundle, Senate Bill 339, will be on Second Reading in the House of Delegates Wednesday.

Senate Bill 752, which would allow cannabis flower to be used for medical purposes, was on the agenda in the Senate Judiciary Committee Tuesday.

Lawmakers, Public Celebrate 100 Years Of Women’s Right To Vote Feb 18, 2020

Show notes

There were events all day at the Capitol celebrating the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment – guaranteeing women the right to vote. We hear about West Virginia’s suffragists and the need for West Virginia women to engage more actively in the political process.

Host Suzanne Higgins is joined by senior reporter Dave Mistich and reporter Emily Allen for the latest in legislative action.

On March 10, 1920, West Virginia became the 34th state to ratify the 19th Amendment, guaranteeing women the right to vote. At the Capitol Monday, there were celebrations marking that centennial celebration. Randy Yohe shares some of the day's activities.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hBI0z5acXE

U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito was keynote speaker at a ceremony in the House of Delegates Monday afternoon. Monday evening, West Virginia female lawmakers were honored at the Culture Center. Higgins sat down with Julie Palas of the West Virginia Women's Commission and Renate Pore of Kanawha Valley NOW, who helped organize the day’s events.

Tuesday on The Legislature Today, we’ll have a conversation on healthcare policy, as well as coverage of news and activities at the Capitol.

Statehouse Reporters Recap Legislation On Solar, Charter Schools, Foster Care Feb 14, 2020

Show notes

We’ve passed the deadline for bills to be introduced in the House of Delegates this session. On Monday, that same cut-off will be in the Senate. Host Suzanne Higgins sits down with statehouse reporters Ryan Quinn of The Charleston Gazette-Mail, Taylor Stuck of the Huntington Herald-Dispatch, and Brad McElhinny of WV MetroNews for this week’s roundtable.

Highlights from the roundtable:

SB 583 – creating program to further development of renewable energy resources; solar
Future of Charter Schools in West Virginia
Latest on backlash toward Gov. Jim Justice’s comments after a basketball game this week
HB 4092 – creates a foster child and foster parent bill of rights

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCaSJGDR8Xs

This week, students from West Virginia’s School for the Deaf and the Blind visited the Capitol. The school has helped more than 4,800 students since its founding in 1870. Randy Yohe reports.

Monday on the Legislature Today, we’ll look at celebrations at the Capitol of the 100th Anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment.

Lawmakers Outline Merits Of Two Bills That Aim To Protect Coverage For Pre-Existing Conditions Feb 14, 2020

Show notes

We look at two bills aimed at protecting health insurance coverage for pre-existing conditions – one offered by West Virginia Senate Republicans, and one offered by Senate Democrats.

Host Suzanne Higgins speaks with reporter Emily Allen and senior reporter Dave Mistich for the day’s legislative action.

Two bills have been introduced this session (SB 284 and SB 561) aimed at protecting health insurance coverage for pre-existing conditions should the Affordable Care Act be struck down. Sen. Michael Azinger, R-Wood, and Sen. Richard Lindsey, D-Kanawha, join Emily Allen to discuss their party’s respective bills.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBJ618bVH8E

Pediatric physicians were honored Thursday at the West Virginia Legislature in what was called Tiny Hearts Day. A large group took the opportunity to meet with lawmakers about several healthcare issues. Randy Yohe reports.

Friday on The Legislature Today, we'll have our weekly look-back at some of the major stories of the week.

Senators Weigh In On Complicated Impacts Of Eliminating W.Va. Greyhound Breeding Development Fund Feb 12, 2020

Show notes

We explore support and opposition to a bill that would cut funding for greyhound racing at two West Virginia tracks, and we bring you the latest in West Virginia Legislative news.

Host Suzanne Higgins is joined by senior reporter Dave Mistich and reporter Emily Allen for the latest news from the Capitol.

Mistich also leads a discussion with Sen. Eric Tarr, R-Putnam, and Sen. Michael Maroney, R-Marshall, on SB 285, which would eliminate the West Virginia Greyhound Breeding Development Fund.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1i8vrwJrY8

The West Virginia Council of Churches held what they called a "Compassion Calls Us" rally at the Capitol. The council is an advocacy group made up of fifteen churches of Christian denominations. Randy Yohe reports.

Thursday on The Legislature Today, two senate bills attempting to protect health insurance coverage for pre-existing conditions. We'll take a look at both the Republican and Democrat proposed bills.

Agriculture Commissioner And Senate Ag Committee Chair Talk Goals To Help The W.Va. Farmer Feb 11, 2020

Show notes

We bring you a special report and discussion on the challenges faced by West Virginia’s farmers. We also bring you the latest news from the Capitol.

Host Suzanne Higgins is joined by reporter Emily Allen and senior reporter Dave Mistich for an update on legislative action.

Agriculture has been a part of West Virginia’s economy for hundreds of years, but today, many farmers struggle. Reporter and producer Roxy Todd recently spoke with some of West Virginia’s apple farmers, and some think the state may be overlooking an economic opportunity.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZQ9512VxAk

Todd also has a discussion with West Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture Kent Leonhardt and Sen. Dave Sypolt, R-Preston, Chairman of the Senate Agriculture and Rural Development Committee.

Please join The Legislature Today tomorrow evening for continuing coverage of news and activities here at the Capitol. I'm Roxy Todd.

Newly Formed Bipartisan Tech Caucus Aims To Diversify W.Va.’s Economy, Workforce Feb 11, 2020

Show notes

We learn about a state program that’s helping thousands of West Virginia grandparents who are raising their grandchildren, and we have a conversation with the co-chairs of a new bipartisan Tech Caucus.

Senior reporter Dave Mistich joins host Suzanne Higgins to discuss the latest in legislative action.

It's estimated 50,000 West Virginia children are now being raised by grandparents. Randy Yohe reports on the state-funded Healthy Grand Families Program – designed to help.

New this year at the West Virginia Legislature is the bipartisan Tech Caucus, open to lawmakers and the public. Higgins is joined by co-chairs Del. Moore Capito, R-Kanawha and Del. Shawn Fluharty, D-Ohio.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZfSfbZ6Hgk&feature=youtu.be

Tomorrow on the Legislature Today, West Virginia Public Broadcasting reporter and producer Roxy Todd puts a focus on the plight of the small West Virginia farmer.

She'll also speak with the Kent Leonhardt, West Virginia Agriculture Commissioner, Sen. Dave Sypolt, R-Preston, Chairman of the Senate Agriculture & Rural Development Committee.

Equipment Tax And Intermediate Courts Remain Hot Button Issues At W.Va. Statehouse Feb 07, 2020

Show notes

It’s Friday, and that means we look back at a week of West Virginia Legislative action. We’ve also officially reached the half-way mark of the 2020 session. Host Suzanne Higgins is joined by statehouse reporters Phil Kabler of The Charleston Gazette-Mail, Emily Allen of West Virginia Public Broadcasting, and Steven Allen Adams of Ogden Newspapers.

Highlights from the roundtable:

Recap of West Virginia Press Association’s Legislative Breakfast
Latest on a resolution that would repeal the Business and Inventory Tax
HB 4543 – related to insurance coverage for diabetics
SB 138 – incentives for the consolidation of local governments
Latest on foster care legislation
HB 2732 – Defend the Guard Act
SB 275 – creating an Intermediate Court of Appeals

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYSlnAeO--s

Lawmakers were among hundreds of West Virginians who boarded off-highway vehicles and ventured into the back-woods trails of Kanawha County last weekend. Randy Yohe reports.

Tune back in on Monday, Feb. 10 at 6:00 p.m. for more of The Legislature Today.

Newly Formed Public Health Caucus Seeks To Combat Traumatic Childhood Experiences In W.Va. Feb 07, 2020

Show notes

We discuss West Virginia’s children in crisis with members of a newly formed Public Health caucus. Also, West Virginia’s veterans were honored at the Capitol, and we bring you the latest in legislative action.

Host Suzanne Higgins is joined by reporters Emily Allen and Brittany Patterson for updates on various bills and debate from the statehouse.

Higgins also speaks with Dr. Catherine Slemp, Commissioner of the West Virginia Bureau for Public Health and State Health Officer, and Jim McKay, President of Prevent Child Abuse – West Virginia.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=paHaLNiLsnk

Gov. Jim Justice’s budget calls for a $6 million expansion to the Community in Schools program, which provides services in school to address the negative impacts of traumatic childhood experiences – like poverty, a family death, divorce, drug abuse and physical abuse. West Virginia Public Broadcasting Interim News Director Glynis Board recently visited Wyoming County, which is a recent recipient of Community in Schools funding.

It was Veterans Visibility Day at the Capitol. Randy Yohe captured the message of visiting veterans.

Tomorrow on The Legislature Today, we bring you our Friday reporter roundtable, where we recap a week of legislative action, and we look ahead to what's on the calendar for next week.

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