October 10, 2017 •
West Virginia Governor Calls Special Session
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 […]
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.
September 26, 2017 •
West Virginia State Delegate Passes Away
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 […]
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.
August 4, 2017 •
West Virginia Governor to Switch Parties
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 […]
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.
June 29, 2017 •
West Virginia Legislature Adjourns
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 […]
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.
May 9, 2017 •
West Virginia Disclosure Laws Effective in July
Lawmakers passed two measures dealing with ethics and transparency during the regular legislative session that wrapped up in April. House Bill 2319 will become effective July 5, requiring candidate committees for members of the Legislature to make additional disclosures of […]
Lawmakers passed two measures dealing with ethics and transparency during the regular legislative session that wrapped up in April.
House Bill 2319 will become effective July 5, requiring candidate committees for members of the Legislature to make additional disclosures of contributions and fundraising events while the Legislature is in session.
House Bill 2001 will become law July 7, requiring companies contracting with state agencies on contracts over $100,000 to make disclosures listing interested parties to the contract.
Bills that were not approved during the legislative session do not carry over.
May 8, 2017 •
West Virginia Legislature in Recess Adjournment
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 […]
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.
April 27, 2017 •
West Virginia Special Session Called to Address Budget
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 […]
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.
April 18, 2017 •
West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice Vetoes Budget Bill; Special Session Ahead
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 […]
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.
April 10, 2017 •
West Virginia Legislature Adjourns Regular Session; Special Session Likely
On April 9, the West Virginia Legislature wrapped up its regular legislative session. The House and Senate passed a spending plan prior to adjournment; however, the governor is expected to veto the bill and call a special session after further […]
On April 9, the West Virginia Legislature wrapped up its regular legislative session.
The House and Senate passed a spending plan prior to adjournment; however, the governor is expected to veto the bill and call a special session after further negotiations to finalize a more acceptable budget bill.
The fiscal year begins July 1 and a special session would need to be called prior to that date.
April 6, 2017 •
West Virginia’s Legislative Session Extended
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 […]
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.
April 5, 2017 •
West Virginia Legislative Session Likely to be Extended
An extended session appears likely for West Virginia’s Legislature. Lawmakers have yet to approve a budget and the regular session is set to adjourn April 8. The state currently faces a $500 million shortfall in the 2018 fiscal year budget […]
An extended session appears likely for West Virginia’s Legislature.
Lawmakers have yet to approve a budget and the regular session is set to adjourn April 8. 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 constitution requires the Governor to issue a proclamation extending the session if the Legislature has not passed a budget bill by the 57th day of the 60-day regular session. Wednesday, April 5, is the 57th day of the session.
March 28, 2017 •
West Virginia Campaign Finance Bill Passes Senate
On March 27, the West Virginia Senate voted to approve a bill to overhaul campaign finance laws. Senate Bill 539 will raise campaign contribution limits to allow individuals to donate up to $2,700 to candidates for statewide office per election […]
On March 27, the West Virginia Senate voted to approve a bill to overhaul campaign finance laws.
Senate Bill 539 will raise campaign contribution limits to allow individuals to donate up to $2,700 to candidates for statewide office per election cycle. Individuals would also be able to contribute up to $5,000 to PACs per year and $10,000 to state parties and caucus campaign committees per year.
The bill also proposes changes to disclosure requirements, allowing citizens to donate up to $1,000 to certain PACs that do not donate to individual candidates or their committees before the donor’s identity must be disclosed.
The bill now moves to the House for consideration.
February 28, 2017 •
West Virginia House Passes Ethics Bill
On February 27, the West Virginia House of Delegates passed House Bill 2001 requiring companies and consultants with state contracts to disclose the names of those who have at least a 25 percent financial interest in the contract. Under the […]
On February 27, the West Virginia House of Delegates passed House Bill 2001 requiring companies and consultants with state contracts to disclose the names of those who have at least a 25 percent financial interest in the contract.
Under the bill, business entities performing the work, such as lawyers, brokers and advisors, must also be disclosed to the Ethics Commission. The bill also includes provisions to expressly prohibit nepotism. House Bill 2001 unanimously passed the House and now moves to the Senate for consideration.
December 5, 2016 •
Monday News Roundup
Lobbying Florida: “Corcoran Offers Lobbyist ‘Training’ to Adjust to New Legislative Limitations” by Allison Nielson for Sunshine State News West Virginia: “Ethics Panel Puts Question about WV House Speaker’s Job on Hold” by Phil Kabler for Charleston Gazette Campaign Finance […]
Lobbying
Florida: “Corcoran Offers Lobbyist ‘Training’ to Adjust to New Legislative Limitations” by Allison Nielson for Sunshine State News
West Virginia: “Ethics Panel Puts Question about WV House Speaker’s Job on Hold” by Phil Kabler for Charleston Gazette
Campaign Finance
Canada: “Ontario Overhauls Campaign Finance Rules with Sweeping Reforms” by Adrian Morrow for Toronto Globe and Mail
Arizona: “Burns Responds to APS Settlement Offer: No thanks” by Rachel Leingang for Arizona Capitol Times
Missouri: “Politicians Fatten Coffers before Missouri’s New Campaign-Donation Limits Kick In” by Jo Mannies for St. Louis Public Radio
New York: “Anthony Weiner Fined $65,000 for Campaign Finance Violations” by J. David Goodman for The New York Times
Ethics
“Trump’s Complex Stock Portfolio Could Create Yet More Conflicts” by Rosalind Helderman and Drew Harwell for The Washington Post
South Dakota: “Hearing Set on Move to Repeal New Anti-Corruption Measure” by Bob Mercer for Rapid City Journal
Elections
“‘Rigged’ or Not, Election Positions Trump to Shape Rules on How You Vote” by Michael Wines for The New York Times
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