WVML Press

Board Chairman and Wheeling Mayor Nick Sparachane presided over the Home Rule Board meeting on the campus of West Virginia University on Wednesday. The home rule applications of Wheeling, Charleston, Huntington and Bridgeport were all approved.

This is only the beginning of the process.  Now, each city is left to draft and pass ordinances through their respective City Councils that will include more specific information regarding their plans.

"Think about how interesting some of these council meetings will be when the cities want to pass these ordinances. The citizens will probably get pretty excited about a lot of it, but that is why we have home rule - to give power to local elected officials," Sparachage said.

Governor Joe Manchin and the West Virginia State Tax Commissioner, Christopher G. Morris, today announced an innovation in modern tax administration in West Virginia.

“From paying your bills to checking your bank account, online activity is flourishing in the private sector. The State Tax Department is taking online tax payments and account administration to the next level,” Morris said. “This is another step toward our Department becoming a 24/7 operation for Taxpayer convenience.”

Senate President Harry Reid (D-NV) temporarily suspended debate over the mandatory collective bargaining bill after acrimonious and partisan disagreements over Senate procedures affecting this bill and others erupted on the Senate floor. 

At Sen. Reid's request, Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA), a key supporter of the bill, and Sen. Mike Enzi (R-WY), a key opponent, are attempting to work out a compromise that would allow debate to continue.  If Enzi and Kennedy are able to work out an agreement, debate on the bill is expected to resume.

The League, represented by Lisa Dooley and Suzan Singleton met with the DMV and Tax Commissioners, staff and an IT group to work on implementation of SB 435, authorizing the offset of State Income Tax refunds for delinquent municipal court fees.

The changes to the rule codify existing Ethics Commission precedent.  The amendments also impose additional restrictions on solicitations for charity by public officials, including law enforcement officers.

Honorariums (Section 2)

The change to this section makes it consistent with the rule imposed by the Ethics Act regarding the receipt of honorariums by public officials.  This rule is:

Full-Time Elected Public Officials may only receive an honorarium if they donate it to a recognized charity and file a notice with the Ethics Commission.

wvml ad trafficschool 1060x143 3a