On this episode of The Legislature Today, we have our final reporter roundtable of the 2024 state legislative session. WVPB statehouse reporters Randy Yohe and Briana Heaney talk with Leah Willingham from the Associated Press about the past 60 days and the upcoming final hours of the session on Saturday. In the House Friday, the chamber started the day with more than 60 bills on third reading. Bills passed and sent to the governor included posting the national motto in schools, lowering prescription costs, fixing substandard recovery residences and the development of Corridor H. Randy Yohe has ..read more

On this episode of The Legislature Today, when the session began in January, our government reporter Randy Yohe was assigned to cover the House of Delegates and our southern West Virginia reporter Briana Heaney was assigned the Senate. With a budget bill still to be finalized, Yohe and Heaney offer some of their insights into bill proposals, passed and failed, that affect the lives, wallets and communities of West Virginia.  In the House Wednesday, several Senate bills on third reading were sent to the governor’s desk for his signature. Bills were completed on adult education, safeguardin ..read more

On this episode of The Legislature Today, we are in the final days of the 2024 session, and there is a rush to get bills across the finish line – including the budget bill. In the House, much of the debate Tuesday morning focused on satisfying a $465 million federal claw back regarding the state’s spending on education. When it came to the budget debate – some promised program funding not education related - fell by the wayside. Randy Yohe reports. Also, two bills debated in the House Judiciary Committee dealt with two lightning rod issues: crimes regarding married couples and sexual abuse, an ..read more

On this episode of The Legislature Today, we’ve begun the final week of the 60-day West Virginia Legislative session, and everything wraps up Saturday at midnight. Randy Yohe talks with Del. Mike Pushkin, D-Kanawha, to see how his caucus feels about the session and whether they met their priorities for this year. WVPB invited House Majority Whip Del. Marty Gearheart, R-Mercer, to join the conversation, but he was unable to participate. In the House Monday, bills that were delayed, tabled or banished stood out more than what the chamber passed. The underlying concern was passing a budget with a ..read more

On this episode of The Legislature Today, there is just one more week of the 2024 West Virginia Legislative session. These last days of the regular session are usually when state budget issues are debated and resolved. But a surprise notification from the federal government that the state return nearly half a billion dollars in COVID-19 funds has several major legislative funding issues on hold. Randy Yohe has more. In the Senate Friday, the chamber advanced several pieces of legislation including bills on suspended school personnel, artificial intelligence (AI) and running for office. Briana ..read more

On this episode of The Legislature Today, we sit down a day early for our weekly reporter roundtable. Randy Yohe, Emily Rice and our newest reporter Jack Walker discuss some of the legislation that has moved so far this week. Also, the Senate Wednesday night passed a bill that would reduce overall unemployment benefits but increase initial benefits, and they approved a bill that would affect transgender people in the state. Briana Heaney has the story. In the House Thursday, global partnerships and international politics took center stage, along with a continuing legislative effort to address ..read more

On this episode of The Legislature Today, it was Crossover Day, meaning all bills must be passed out of their chamber of origin if they are to be considered this session. Briana Heaney and Randy Yohe have stories from the Senate and House as both chambers worked to get through a flurry of legislation. Also, a new information portal would be available to foster parents and kinship caregivers if a House bill becomes law. Emily Rice has this story. Finally, it took 66 years to go from the Wright Brothers to the moon. Experts say it won't take that long for artificial intelligence to turn everythi ..read more

On this episode of The Legislature Today, there has been a lot of discussion this year about vaccines and whether they should be required in private schools, and there has been spirited debate on the topic in the last few days. Health Reporter Emily Rice spoke with Del. Chris Pritt, R-Kanawha, and Del. Joey Garcia, D-Marion, about this issue. Also, nearly 2,600 bills have been introduced this session, but fewer than 50 have completed legislative action so far. Wednesday is Crossover Day, meaning it will be the final day for bills to be passed out of their chamber of origin. In the House, the c ..read more

On this episode of The Legislature Today, West Virginia, like most of the country, is enjoying record setting low unemployment numbers after the coronavirus pandemic. Briana Heaney sat down with Josh Sword, president of West Virginia's AFL-CIO, and Del. Clay Riley, R-Harrison, to discuss two bills that would reduce unemployment benefits in the state. Also, we’re in the final two weeks of the 2024 state legislative session. All bills, except for the budget bill, must be out of their chamber of origin by the end of the day Wednesday to give time to consider the bill. This is called Crossover Day ..read more

On this episode of The Legislature Today, we are in the final stages of the 2024 West Virginia Legislative session, and the pace is picking up with just two more weeks to go. Next Wednesday, Feb. 28, marks what is known as Crossover Day. That is the day all bills must be out of their chamber of origin if they are to be considered for passage this year. In the House Friday, bills on third reading ranged from improving schools and learning, to providing guidance on social media and political campaign ads, along with harsher penalties for the sexual assault of a minor. Randy Yohe has more. In the ..read more