On December 1, Gov. Jim Justice called a special session to convene on December 4 to consider legislation to authorize the sale of state road bonds.

The special session coincides with the Legislature’s monthly interim meetings scheduled to begin on December 3 and conclude on December 5.

Pictured: West Virginia Governor Jim Justice

Gov. Jim Justice announced Tuesday evening legislators had completed their special session and passed six bills.

The special session was called after West Virginia voters overwhelmingly voted in favor of a road bond levy.

Bills passed include increasing civil penalties for contractors who do not hire at least 75 percent of their workforce from West Virginia, allowing the sharing of certain information between the West Virginia Division of Highways and West Virginia Tax Commissioner, and exempting military pensions from the state’s personal income tax.

Gov. Jim Justice said he will call the West Virginia Legislature into special session on October 16, 2017.

State officials have commented a legislative framework must first be established in order to get the road projects off the ground.

On October 7, 2017, voters approved a constitutional amendment allowing transportation officials to sell $1.6 billion in general obligation bonds to make up about 60 percent of the governor’s “Roads to Prosperity” program, which he believes will give the West Virginia economy a boost.

State Delegate Tony Lewis of Preston died of cancer on Sunday, September 24, 2017.

In a statement, Speaker Tim Armstead said, “He was a devoted family man, and a faithful and hard-working public servant. Tony’s dedication and work ethic left a lasting impression on all of us who worked with him. His strong character was never more apparent than during the recent special session, as Tony continued to come to Charleston and speak up for his district while receiving treatment for his cancer.”

Preston County’s Republican executive committee will nominate three possible replacements for Gov. Jim Justice to choose to replace Lewis.

Reports are surfacing that Gov. Jim Justice of West Virginia is expected to switch parties from Democrat to Republican.

According to the New York Times, Justice’s announcement is scheduled to take place at President Trump’s Huntington, West Virginia rally on August 3.

Justice was elected as a Democrat in the 2016 general election.

On June 26, the West Virginia Legislature adjourned its special session sine die. Lawmakers approved a budget after months of debate to resolve a $500 million shortfall in the 2018 fiscal year budget.

The state budget cuts funding for higher education and the Department of Health and Human Resources but avoids a government shutdown that would have occurred July 1 if the budget had not been in place.

Gov. Jim Justice allowed the budget bill to become law without his signature.

The West Virginia Legislature is taking a 10-day recess from the special session that convened May 4. Lawmakers quickly rejected Gov. Jim Justice’s tax increase plan and there is little agreement on how to address the budget.

Both the House and Senate agreed to a resolution adjourning the special session until May 15 to allow time for lawmakers to work toward an agreement that all parties can support.

Lawmakers must pass a budget bill before July 1 to avoid a government shutdown.

On April 26, Gov. Jim Justice called for a special session set to convene May 4 to approve a budget plan. The state currently faces a $500 million shortfall in the 2018 fiscal year budget and there is little consensus among lawmakers on how to address the deficit.

The fiscal year begins July 1, and a budget bill needs passed prior to that date or the state government will face a shut down.

On April 13, Gov. Jim Justice vetoed the budget bill passed by West Virginia lawmakers.

In the latest stunt in the contentious battle among lawmakers on how to address West Virginia’s $500 million budget shortfall, Justice held a press conference to announce the veto complete with props including a platter of bull excrement.

The fiscal year begins July 1 and a special session to pass a budget bill would need to be held prior to that date or the state government will face a shut down.

The special session is expected to be called sometime in late April or early May.

Gov. Jim Justice signed a proclamation to extend the legislative session by one day to an adjournment date of April 9. The extension is required by the constitution since the Legislature has not yet passed a budget bill.

More time may be needed for lawmakers to pass a budget as there is little agreement among lawmakers on how to address West Virginia’s $500 million shortfall in the 2018 fiscal year budget.

Both the House and Senate advanced budget bills on Wednesday, April 5; however, Justice indicated he plans to veto either plan that reaches his desk.