During his State of the State speech, Gov. Jim Justice advocated for the abolishment of the state s personal income tax. Perry Bennett/WV Legislature
The West Virginia state legislature has been in session since Feb. 10 and, in the weeks since, hundreds of bills have been proposed across the two chambers.
Potential legislation ranges from financial issues, like abolishing the stateâs personal income tax, to judicial issues, as well as many other areas.
There are also a handful of pieces of legislation that, if passed, would have a direct impact on the lives of college students.
Below, we outline various pieces of legislation that have been introduced, and what they would mean for the state and for the West Virginia University community.
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Del. Chad Lovejoy, D-Cabell, looks through a bill in a meeting of the House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2021.
After more than an hour of debate, the West Virginia House of Delegates Judiciary Committee advanced a bill that would provide immunity from civil liability for people, businesses and health care providers as it pertains to the coronavirus pandemic.
During Tuesday’s committee meeting, lawmakers rejected a series of amendments to Senate Bill 277 that sought to dampen the wide effect of the bill. The bill would completely eliminate liability related to the coronavirus and offer a defense on claims being brought forth related to infections, treatment or death.
For The Inter-Mountain
CHARLESTON Making good on a campaign promise, a bill by State Treasurer Riley Moore to help West Virginians wishing to enter the trades made it through the House Education Committee on Thursday.
The committee substitute for House Bill 2001, the West Virginia Jumpstart Savings Program, was adopted Thursday afternoon, making it one of the first bills to head to the full House of Delegates.
The Jumpstart Savings Plan, similar to the State Treasurer’s Office SMART529 college savings program and the WVABLE program for West Virginians with disabilities, would allow residents planning to enter a vocational program or trade to save money. The Jumpstart plan would allow a person to use their money saved through the program to cover the costs of work equipment, occupational licensing, certifications, and startup costs.
sadams@newsandsentinel.com
State Treasurer Riley Moore talks about the advantages of his Jumpstart Savings Program for vocational programs and trades. (Photo by Steven Allen Adams)
CHARLESTON Making good on a campaign promise, a bill by State Treasurer Riley Moore to help West Virginians wishing to enter the trades made it through the House Education Committee on Thursday.
The committee substitute for House Bill 2001, the West Virginia Jumpstart Savings Program, was adopted Thursday afternoon, making it one of the first bills to head to the full House of Delegates.
The Jumpstart Savings Plan, similar to the State Treasurer’s Office SMART529 college savings program and the WVABLE program for West Virginians with disabilities, would allow residents planning to enter a vocational program or trade to save money. The Jumpstart plan would allow a person to use their money saved through the program to cover the costs of work equipment, occupational licensing, certifications, and s
bdunlap@newsandsentinel.com
RIPLEY As the COVID-19 vaccine rollout continues, many rural parts of the state are still struggling to get vaccine to meet the demand.
State Del. Steve Westfall, R-12th, of Jackson County, said many health departments are not getting the vaccine or are getting small amounts as the demand continues to grow.
Places like Charleston, the eastern panhandle, Clarksburg and other areas with larger populations are getting the priority for vaccine distribution and causing many in more rural areas to have to drive to one of these locations.
“I don’t believe the people in these rural areas should have to drive, outside of their county, to get this vaccine,” Westfall said.