Podcast - The Legislature Today Story Archives - West Virginia Public Broadcasting

On this week’s episode of The Legislature Today, reporter Curtis Tate brings us a recap of Gov. Jim Justice’s 2022 State of the State address. The governor was expected to give his speech two weeks ago but tested positive for COVID-19 the day before the scheduled event.

This week on The Legislature Today, West Virginians weigh in on a controversial piece of legislation. As health reporter June Leffler reports, pro-life and pro-choice residents spoke on two abortion bills at a public hearing Monday in front of state lawmakers.

On this episode of The Legislature Today, reporter Liz McCormick looks at a busy first week at the West Virginia Legislature, including a special session, economic development announcements and Gov. Jim Justice testing positive for COVID-19. Reporter June Leffler speaks with Senate President Craig Blair and House Speaker Roger Hanshaw about COVID protocols and what would make a successful legislative session.

House Judiciary Chair Moore Capito, R-Kanawha, and House Judiciary Minority Chair Chad Lovejoy, D-Cabell, discuss criminal justice reform, election, and pandemic-related bills. We also take a look at the state budget process and the personal income tax repeal plans.

This week, The Legislature Today takes a deep dive into the various plans for the elimination of the state’s Personal Income Tax. Phil Kabler of the Charleston Gazette-Mail and Steven Allen Adams of Ogden Newspapers join host Dave Mistich to discuss multiple proposed fiscal policy changes. June Leffler provides updates on a bill to expand Medicaid coverage for new moms, and Emily Allen reports on HB 2017, which rewrites the state’s criminal code.

This week on The Legislature Today, senior reporter Dave Mistich speaks with House Finance Committee Vice Chair Vernon Criss, R-Wood, and House Finance Minority Chair Brent Boggs, D-Braxton, about Gov. Jim Justice’s plan to reduce the state’s personal income tax, while increasing consumer sales and other taxes. Liz McCormick gives us an update on House Bill 2013, which would establish education savings accounts.

Del. Daniel Linville, R-Cabell, Chair, House Technology & Infrastructure Committee, and Sen. Robert Plymale, D-Wayne, join WVPB's The Legislature Today to discuss broadband expansion legislation, HB 2002. Friday evening’s broadcast will also include an update on several major education bills and the governor’s personal income tax repeal proposal.

Senate Education Chair Patricia Rucker, R-Jefferson, and House Education Minority Chair Sean Hornbuckle, D-Cabell, join WVPB’s The Legislature Today from the Capitol building. The lawmakers discuss the Hope Scholarship bill, charter school legislation, and the needs of students following almost a year at home during the COVID-19 pandemic.

It has been a week of snow, ice and power outages, but the work of the West Virginia Legislature continued at a brisk pace. This week on The Legislature Today, we speak with House and Senate leadership, and we have updates on numerous bills.

This week, Gov. Jim Justice has outlined his legislative agenda for the 2021 session in his State of the State address. Host Suzanne Higgins speaks with minority leadership who share reaction to the governor’s address, and Senior Reporter Dave Mistich comments on the changes this year to the legislative process due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.