By Matt Young, West Virginia Press Association CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The West Virginia Senate’s Workforce Committee, on Friday, heard testimony from W.Va. AARP President Jane Marks regarding the efforts of the state’s Direct Care Taskforce to combat the current staffing crisis. “I always say that AARP believes in data,” Marks[Read More…]
Government
WV Legislature: Senate Judiciary tables DNA analysis requirement bill – SB 53 – on question of constitutionality
By Autumn Shelton, West Virginia Press Association CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A bill that would require certain individuals to submit to a DNA analysis upon arrest has once again been introduced in the West Virginia Senate. Senate Bill (SB) 53, introduced on the first day of the legislative session, was discussed[Read More…]
Governor Justice outlines 2023 proposal during West Virginia State of State Address
Plan includes 50% reduction in personal income tax; See video, read text here WV Press News Sharing CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Gov. Jim Justice presented his 2023 State of the State Address to the West Virginia Legislature on Wednesday evening. Below is a video of the speech and the initial transcript of[Read More…]
WV Legislative Interims: Human trafficking and foster care discussed, said major problems
By Matt Young, WV Press Association CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Human trafficking and foster care were on the agenda this week as the Joint Committee on Children and Families met during the second day of January’s Interim Legislative Session. The meeting’s first presenter, West Virginia House of Delegates Counsel Robert Leslie,[Read More…]
Legislative Interims: Needs, challenges of West Virginia EMS departments reviewed
By Matt Young, WV Press Association CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The legislative priorities of West Virginia’s first responders were discussed during this week’s meeting of the Joint Committee on Volunteer Fire Departments and Emergency Medical Services. While the absence of a quorum prevented the interim committee from furthering any business during[Read More…]
WV Legislative Interims: Division of Forestry restricted from enacting or modifying rules, regulations of state’s Managed Timberland Program
By Matt Young, WV Press Association CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The West Virginia Legislature’s Post Audits Subcommittee learned Sunday that the Division of Forestry is restricted from enacting or modifying any rules or regulations which govern the state’s Managed Timberland Program. The subcommittee met on Sunday during the first day of[Read More…]
Legislative LookAhead: Couldn’t attend? See videos of all four panels
WV Press News Sharing CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Press Association, to assist those who could not attend Friday’s Legislative LookAhead, has compiled the videos from all four panels: Legislative Leadership, Economic Indicators, Workforce and Education. The videos, below, are products of Studio@WVPress, the newspaper industry association’s video production facility.[Read More…]
Legislative LookAhead: Lawmakers must consider ‘demographic cliff’ and declining ‘college-going rate’ when looking at higher education in West Virginia
Expert: Prospective companies want ‘skilled, highly educated workforce’ but lack of teachers, encouragement and costs impact college enrollment By Autumn Shelton, WV Press Association CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Education is a main concern for state legislators as they prepare for their 60-day session beginning on Wednesday, but it’s not just K-12[Read More…]
Legislative Lookahead: WVU’s Deskins says West Virginia won’t reach economic prosperity potential unless state gets more people into the workforce
By Autumn Shelton, WV Press Association CHARLESTON, W.Va. – West Virginia’s continued short-term economic growth remains uncertain for 2023; however, as the 86th Legislature prepares to convene on Wednesday, there are several indicators that leaders should watch as they guide the state through this economic “turbulence,” according to Dr. John[Read More…]
Legislative Lookahead: Education, partnerships said key to developing West Virginia’s workforce
By Matt Young, WV Press Association CHARLESTON, W.Va. — “I’ve been looking for a genie in a lamp for quite some time. I haven’t found that lamp yet. If you find it, please be sure and point it toward workforce.” That’s what Sen. Rollan Roberts, R-Raleigh, said on Friday during[Read More…]