West Virginia State Senate
State Government: Agencies/Departments/Divisions | Elected State Legislators
Recent News About West Virginia State Senate
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U.S. Supreme Court wants to hear from Workman before it discusses impeachment case
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Supreme Court hasn’t decided if it will hear the state Legislature’s appeal regarding the impeachment of state Supreme Court justices, but it has asked Justice Margaret Workman to file a brief in the matter. -
West Virginia students deserve the option of public charter schools
CHARLESTON – Across the country, millions of students, families and educators recently celebrated National Charter Schools Week and how they transform communities by bringing educational opportunities to students. Unfortunately, our students are left out of these celebrations because West Virginia is one of the few states that does not currently allow public charter schools. -
2019 Legislative Session: A victory for Agriculture
CHARLESTON – With the 2019 Legislative Session in the books, we now have time to reflect on what our state leaders have accomplished. -
New cottage food law will help entrepreneurs sell goods made in their homes
CHARLESTON – A bill recently signed into law should be a good lesson in home economics. Senate Bill 285 easily passed both houses of the Legislature this session, and Gov. Jim Justice signed it into law last month. Also known as the Cottage Food Law, it will allow individuals to sell homemade, non-potentially hazardous food items made in private residences. -
West Virginia needs more negative campaigning
There are at least two aspects of every campaign: the case the candidate makes for himself and the case he makes against his opponent. The first is inevitably positive, the second inevitably negative – though not necessarily mean-spirited. -
Senate Bill 622 is true campaign finance reform
MARTINSBURG – During the past four years, one of the Legislature’s top priorities has been to modernize West Virginia’s laws and to take outdated and burdensome regulations off our books. We have succeeded in making West Virginia friendlier to businesses and in adopting policies that are competitive with those of our neighboring states. -
Democrats want Justice to veto campaign finance reform bill
CHARLESTON – Democratic lawmakers are asking Republican Gov. Jim Justice to veto a bill that would reform state campaign finance laws. Senate Bill 622 would increase numerous caps on campaign contributions for individuals and political action committees. It also would allow federal PACs to continue to receive contributions from undisclosed donors. -
WV CALA blames House leadership for lack of meaningful legal reform this session
CHARLESTON – A statewide legal reform group is blaming House leadership for a lack of meaningful legal reform during the recently completed legislative session. -
The end of the session is here ... thankfully, now to begin 'betterment' of public education
CHARLESTON – The 2019 regular session of the West Virginia Legislature came to an end at midnight Saturday, and just in time. It’s hard to recall when there was such acrimony among lawmakers under the Capitol dome. -
State Senate asks U.S. Supreme Court to review state impeachment ruling
CHARLESTON – The state Senate wants the U.S. Supreme Court to review a state Supreme Court ruling that ended last fall’s impeachment proceedings. West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey filed a petition March 11 with the U.S. Supreme Court. The House of Delegates filed a similar request in January. -
West Virginia doesn't need an intermediate court of appeals
CHARLESTON – Like that poison ivy sprout that comes back every spring, legislation to create an Intermediate Appellate Court in West Virginia is back yet again. It’s no more necessary now than it has ever been, and it’s just as noxious as that stubborn poison ivy. -
Legislature needs reformation before school reform can happen
CHARLESTON – When Senate President Mitch Carmichael (R-Jackson) calls for reform of our public education system, the place to start is with the West Virginia Legislature itself. -
Senate passes bill that would move Medicaid Fraud Control Unit to AG's office
CHARLESTON — The state Senate has passed a bill that would move the state's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit to be housed in the state Attorney General's office. On a 26-8 vote, the Senate voted Feb. 27 to pass Senate Bill 318. The bill now will go to the House of Delegates, where a similar bill already was introduced. -
Ohio Co. judge denies teacher's request for immediate injunction, but says he'll conduct hearing later
WHEELING – An Ohio County judge has denied a teacher's request for immediate injunctive relief regarding the county school board's decision to go into executive session to discuss matters related to the recent teacher strike. -
Wheeling teacher says Ohio County school board breaking open meetings laws following walkout
WHEELING – An Ohio County teacher has filed a complaint and restraining order against the county’s school board to keep it from holding “an illegal hearing” this evening following the suspension of the controversial state Senate omnibus education reform bill and another alleged illegal school board hearing last week. -
State's largest teacher union also seeks info from Putnam about decision to stay open
WINFIELD – The state’s largest teacher union has joined the chorus of those seeking information from the Putnam County Board of Education regarding its decision to keep schools open during the recent two-day strike. -
Another attorney files second FOIA request about Putnam schools' decision to stay open during strike
WINFIELD – Another attorney has delivered another Freedom of Information Act request to the Putnam County Board of Education. -
Attorney files FOIA request seeking info about Putnam schools staying open during strike
WINFIELD – A former attorney for the state Supreme Court has filed a Freedom of Information Act request regarding the decision by Putnam County’s school superintendent to be the lone system in the state to keep doors open during the recent two-day teacher strike. -
Bill that would create intermediate appeals court passes Senate, now waits in House Judiciary
CHARLESTON – A bill that would create an intermediate court of appeals is headed to the House of Delegates after barely passing the state Senate. Senate Bill 266 passed the Senate on a 17-16 vote Feb. 18. It was sent to the House of Delegates and referred to the Judiciary Committee. -
Shock for Republicans: A strike for schools as teachers refuse to sell out students
The Republicans designed Senate Bill 451 as straightforwardly as any protection racket. A 5 percent raise for West Virginia’s educators, inextricably linked to a series of proposals to weaken her public schools. The text of the bill explicitly stated that if any part of its “omnibus” provisions were found unconstitutional or illegal, the raise would be taken away.