Episodes
-
Reporter Roundtable Discusses 2026 Session And What’s To Come In Final Hours
Host and reporter Randy Yohe speaks with Senior Reporter Chris Schulz and Assistant News Director Maria Young. They discuss some of the biggest bills they covered during the 2026 regular session of the West Virginia Legislature — and what issues did not come up. They also look ahead to the...
-
House, Senate Approves Budget Bill
On this episode of The Legislature Today, the state budget was the focal point this week. Thursday night, the House of Delegates concurred with final tweaks made by the Senate earlier that morning to increase Hope Scholarship funding, covering five quarters of payments into the 2027-2028 school...
-
Delegates Discuss Needs Of State Foster Care System
On this episode of The Legislature Today, issues with Child Protective Services (CPS) and the state foster care system are persistent. The West Virginia Legislature faces questions on how to correct the problems that arise every year. News Director Eric Douglas speaks with Dels. Jonathan Pinson,...
-
State Senators Discuss School Funding Needs
On this episode of The Legislature Today, in this school year alone, the state Board of Education has been asked to approve 19 school closures or consolidations. News Director Eric Douglas speaks with Sen. Mike Oliverio, R-Monongalia, a member of the Senate Education Committee, and Sen. Mike...
-
Delegates Discuss Process For Creating State Budget
While the West Virginia Legislature may consider hundreds of bills during the 60-day session, there is only one thing they are required by the state constitution to do and that is to pass a balanced budget. The state is not allowed to operate in a deficit. News Director Eric Douglas spoke with...
-
Senate President Smith Says ‘It’s A Balance’ When Addressing Issues During Session
On this episode of The Legislature Today, Sen. Randy Smith, R-Preston, is in his second year as the Senate President. In that role, he is also the lieutenant governor. Smith sat down with News Director Eric Douglas to discuss how he sees things going this session The post Senate President Smith...
-
Speaker Hanshaw Says Job Creation Is Top Priority For 2026 Session
On this episode of The Legislature Today, we sit down with House Speaker Roger Hanshaw, R-Clay, to discuss how he sees things are going this legislative session. The post Speaker Hanshaw Says Job Creation Is Top Priority For 2026 Session appeared first on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.
-
Morrisey Outlines Priorities In State Of State, Hornbuckle, Woelfel Offer Minority Response
The West Virginia Legislature is back in Charleston for the 2026 legislative session. Gov. Patrick Morrisey delivered his second State of the State to the legislature Wednesday night and is seeking a 3% pay raise for state workers and a 10% income tax cut, among other items. Also, in this show,...
-
Reporter Roundtable Looks Ahead To Final Hours Of 2025 Session
On this episode of The Legislature Today, for our final show, WVPB reporters Curtis Tate, Emily Rice and Jack Walker discuss some of the big bills they've been following this session and what they are keeping an eye on in the final hours. The post Reporter Roundtable Looks Ahead To Final Hours Of...
-
Budget, Policy Expert Talks Microgrids And Tax Revenues
On this episode of The Legislature Today, microgrids are one of Gov. Patrick Morrisey’s top legislative priorities this year, and House Bill 2014 is the vehicle to bring more of them to the state. But county officials came to testify earlier this week against the diversion of local property taxes...
-
A Discussion On Energy
On this episode of The Legislature Today, Briana Heaney talks with WVPB Energy & Environment Reporter Curtis Tate who has been following several bills this session. As most politicians say, West Virginia is an energy state. Both of West Virginia's U.S. senators were at an event Tuesday sponsored…
more -
A Closer Look At State Lawmakers’ DEI Debate
On this episode of The Legislature Today, News Director Eric Douglas speaks with Del. Anitra Hamilton, D-Monongalia, and Rev. Paul Dunn from the First Baptist Church of Charleston to discuss what the DEI bill potentially means. The post A Closer Look At State Lawmakers’ DEI Debate appeared first…
more -
Lawmakers Enter Final Week Of 2025 Regular Session
On this episode of The Legislature Today, electricity prices have been rising in West Virginia at a rate faster than inflation. This summer, Appalachian Power seeks to increase them more, sparking public protest at the Capitol and the Public Service Commission (PSC). Curtis Tate talks with Gary...
-
Reporter Roundtable Talks Budget, Energy And FOIA Legislation
On this episode of The Legislature Today, the coal and natural gas industries play a large role in the state’s economy and the West Virginia Legislature pays close attention to what's happening in terms of severance taxes, jobs and economic development. For our weekly reporter roundtable, WVPB...
-
Delegates Discuss House Version Of State Budget
On this episode of The Legislature Today, News Director Eric Douglas talks with House Finance Chairman Del. Vernon Criss, R-Wood, and Minority Chair of House Finance Del. John Williams, D-Monongalia, about the House budget. The post Delegates Discuss House Version Of State Budget appeared first…
more -
A Discussion On The Statewide Camping Ban Legislation
In this episode, Assistant News Director Maria Young talks with Margaret O’Neal, president of United Way of Central West Virginia, who is familiar with the state’s unhoused population. The post A Discussion On The Statewide Camping Ban Legislation appeared first on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.
-
West Virginia Coal Association President Talks Challenges Facing Industry
On this episode of The Legislature Today, the House of Delegates passed a bill Tuesday that would allow data centers to establish microgrids — self-contained sites that generate their own power. The bill is one of Gov. Patrick Morrisey’s legislative priorities. It is also of interest to Chris...
-
State Education Union Head Weighs In On Session
On this episode of The Legislature Today, education related topics from teacher pay, to curriculum and school discipline are all issues before the West Virginia Legislature this session. News Director Eric Douglas talks with Dale Lee, president of the West Virginia Education Association, in our...
-
Political Science Professor Talks Challenges To Legislative Goals
On this episode of The Legislature Today, News Director Eric Douglas talks with Marshall Political Science Prof. Marybeth Beller to discuss the issues around the super majority and getting things accomplished. The post Political Science Professor Talks Challenges To Legislative Goals appeared…
more -
Reporter Roundtable Talks DEI Ban, Vaccines And Home Rule Legislation
On this episode of The Legislature Today, WVPB reporters Curtis Tate and Briana Heaney are joined by Caity Coyne, a reporter for the nonprofit news organization West Virginia Watch. The post Reporter Roundtable Talks DEI Ban, Vaccines And Home Rule Legislation appeared first on West Virginia…
more -
Lawmakers Talk Home Rule
On this episode of The Legislature Today, News Director Eric Douglas speaks with Sen. Joey Garcia, D-Marion, and Sen. Ryan Weld, R-Brooke, to talk about a bill that would remove the ability of cities and towns across the state to set their own rules. It’s called home rule. The post Lawmakers Talk...
-
Policy Analyst Weighs In On State Budget
On this episode of The Legislature Today, the state budget continues to work its way through the West Virginia Legislature. We recently heard from Sen. Jason Barrett, R-Berkeley, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, and Del. Clay Riley, a Harrison County Republican and vice chairman of the...
-
House Rejects Bill For Vaccine Exemptions
On this episode of The Legislature Today, the House of Delegates for more than two hours debated a bill that would require public schools to accept religious vaccine exemptions. But Senate Bill 460 was rejected, 56-42. The post House Rejects Bill For Vaccine Exemptions appeared first on West...
-
Reporter Roundtable Talks Bills On Microgrids, Vaccine Exemptions And Civics Curriculum
On this episode of The Legislature Today, WVPB reporters Jack Walker, Emily Rice and Curtis Tate discuss what legislation their following in this week's reporter roundtable. The post Reporter Roundtable Talks Bills On Microgrids, Vaccine Exemptions And Civics Curriculum appeared first on West...
-
Lawmaker Talks Potential Changes To Medical Practices In W.Va.
On this episode of The Legislature Today, a number of bills have moved through the West Virginia Legislature this year that make changes to the practice of medicine in the state. A bill to remove the certificate of need for hospitals failed, but bills allowing optometrists and pharmacists to…
more -
Finance Committee Lawmakers Weigh In On Budget Bill
On this episode of The Legislature Today, News Director Eric Douglas speaks with Sen. Jason Barrett, R-Berkeley, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, and Del. Clay Riley, R-Harrison, vice chairman of the House Finance Committee, to get their take on the budget process so far. The post…
more -
Lawmakers Talk Challenges Unique To Eastern Panhandle
On this episode of The Legislature Today, Jack Walker talks with Eastern Panhandle lawmakers Dels. Michael Hite, R-Berkeley, and Mike Hornby, R-Berkeley. They discuss lawmakers’ approach to regional issues like infrastructure constraints and a higher local cost of living. The post Lawmakers Talk...
-
Energy & Environment Stakeholders Weigh In On Legislative Session
On this episode of The Legislature Today, Curtis Tate speaks with Emmett Pepper of Energy Efficient West Virginia and Lucia Valentine of the West Virginia Environmental Council about energy and environment legislation they’re following, including Senate Bill 592, which would relax safeguards for...
-
Reporter Roundtable Talks Food Dye Ban, Virus Legislation And Water Quality
On this episode of The Legislature Today, WVPB reporters Briana Heaney and Curtis Tate are joined by Brad McElhinny of MetroNews for our weekly reporter roundtable. The post Reporter Roundtable Talks Food Dye Ban, Virus Legislation And Water Quality appeared first on West Virginia Public...
-
Lawmakers Discuss Child Care Issues
On this episode of The Legislature Today, News Director Eric Douglas talks with Del. Cathie Hess Crouse, R-Putnam, and Senate Minority Leader Mike Woelfel, D-Cabell, about the issue of child care in the state and how it is a personal and economic development issue. The post Lawmakers Discuss…
more -
W.Va. School Board Association Head Talks Legislation Aimed At Schools, Students
On this episode of The Legislature Today, News Director Eric Douglas talks with Jim Brown, the executive director of the West Virginia School Board Association. The group represents the school boards in all 55 counties in West Virginia. They discuss pending legislation that will affect school...
-
Stakeholders Weigh In On Foster Care Issues
On this episode of The Legislature Today, Assistant News Director Maria Young turned to the issue of legislation related to foster care and adoption as multiple bills wind their way through the two chambers. She spoke with Jaycie Bias, executive director with the West Virginia Foster, Adoptive &...
-
New Secretary Talks More Training, Retention Plans For Department Of Human Services
On this episode of The Legislature Today, Health Reporter Emily Rice talks with West Virginia’s new secretary of the Department of Human Services, Alex Mayer, to discuss the future of child welfare in a state with more than 6,000 children in its custody. The post New Secretary Talks More…
more -
Reporter Roundtable Talks Statewide Camping Ban, Addiction And Microgrids
On this episode of The Legislature Today, WVPB reporters Curtis Tate and Emily Rice are joined by Lori Kersey from West Virginia Watch for our weekly reporter roundtable. The post Reporter Roundtable Talks Statewide Camping Ban, Addiction And Microgrids appeared first on West Virginia Public...
-
Senators Discuss Opioid Treatment Program Legislation
On this episode of The Legislature Today, legislation to outlaw opioid treatment programs that distribute methadone without offering integrated care in West Virginia, Senate Bill 204, is making its way through the West Virginia Legislature. Emily Rice brings us this story. Also, Assistant News...
-
Lawmakers From Both Sides Of The Aisle Talk Energy
On this episode of The Legislature Today, Curtis Tate talks with Vice Chair of the House Energy and Manufacturing Committee Del. George Street, R-Preston, and Minority Chair of the Energy and Public Works Committee Del. Evan Hansen, D-Monongalia, about energy issues in West Virginia. Among other...
-
Chief Deputy Secretary Of State Talks Election Legislation
On this episode of The Legislature Today, News Director Eric Douglas talks with Deak Kersey, the chief deputy secretary of state and the chief of staff for Secretary Kris Warner, about a series of bills working their way through the state legislature that pertain to elections. They touch on…
more -
Minority Leaders Weigh In On Session So Far
On this episode of The Legislature Today, Curtis Tate talks with Minority Leaders Sen. Mike Woelfel, D-Cabell, and Del. Sean Hornbuckle, D-Cabell, to further discuss their priorities and how they see the session so far. The post Minority Leaders Weigh In On Session So Far appeared first on West...
-
Reporter Roundtable Talks PEIA Funding, Election Process And Transgender Identity Issues
On this episode of The Legislature Today, Steven Allan Adams, veteran statehouse reporter for Ogden Newspapers, joins our WVPB reporters for our weekly roundtable. The post Reporter Roundtable Talks PEIA Funding, Election Process And Transgender Identity Issues appeared first on West Virginia...
-
Committee Chairs Talk Foster Care, State Budget
On this episode of The Legislature Today, Curtis Tate caught up with two committee chairs: Del. Adam Burkhammer, R-Lewis, the chair of House Human Services, and Sen. Jason Barrett, R-Berkeley, the chair of Senate Finance. They spoke about the most pressing issues in their committees, including...
-
Doctors In Legislature Weigh In On Childhood Vaccine Bill
On this episode of The Legislature Today, News Director Eric Douglas sat down with two physicians – Sen. Tom Takubo, R-Kanawha, and Del. Matt Rohrbach, R-Cabell, to discuss the legislation aimed at providing exemptions to childhood immunizations. The post Doctors In Legislature Weigh In On...
-
Education Committee Chairs Talk School Discipline, Teacher Staffing
On this episode of The Legislature Today, News Director Eric Douglas talks with the chairs of House and Senate Education, Sen. Amy Grady, R-Mason, and Del. Joe Ellington, R-Mercer. They discuss a wide range of topics including school discipline and ways the state can improve the ongoing teacher...
-
Drug Testing, Gender Legislation Make Gains In Committees
On this episode of The Legislature Today, News Director Eric Douglas sits down with our host this week Curtis Tate to discuss a conversation he had with House Judiciary Chair Del. JB Akers, R-Kanawha, and Minority Chair of House Health Del. Mike Pushkin, D-Kanawha, about the vaccine exemption…
more -
Senate Approves Vaccine Exemptions And Reporter Roundtable Talks Education, Health
On this episode of The Legislature Today, in the Senate Friday, lawmakers approved a bill that would allow for broad vaccine exemptions. Also, in our weekly roundtable, reporters discuss the biggest news of the week. The post Senate Approves Vaccine Exemptions And Reporter Roundtable Talks...
-
House Speaker Hanshaw Shares Goals For Education, PEIA And Foster Care
On this episode of The Legislature Today, News Director Eric Douglas speaks with House Speaker Roger Hanshaw, R-Clay. They discuss a number of issues including education, flooding in southern West Virginia and the crisis in foster care in the state. The post House Speaker Hanshaw Shares Goals For...
-
Health Stakeholders Discuss Proposed Changes To State Code
On this episode of The Legislature Today, Health Reporter Emily Rice speaks with Jim Kauffman, president and CEO of the West Virginia Hospital Association, and Jessica Dobrinsky, chief of staff and certificate of need policy expert at the Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy, about changes...
-
Senate President Smith Weighs In On Legislative Goals
On this episode of The Legislature Today, News Director Eric Douglas speaks with West Virginia Senate President Randy Smith, R-Preston. Smith was elected to be the Senate President for the 87th legislature that started this year. The post Senate President Smith Weighs In On Legislative Goals...
-
Deputy Speaker Of The House Talks Floor Debate Changes, Vaccine Exemptions
On this episode of The Legislature Today, News Director Eric Douglas speaks with Speaker Pro Tempore and Deputy Speaker of the House Del. Matthew Rohrbach, R-Cabell. They discuss plans for legislation, the new process of debating bills in the House and legislation implementing religious…
more -
Reporter Roundtable Recaps First Week Of 2025 Session And Looks Ahead
On this episode of The Legislature Today, we have a roundtable with our Energy & Environment Reporter Curtis Tate, Health Reporter Emily Rice and Statehouse Reporter Briana Heaney. They discuss the first days of the 2025 state legislative session and look ahead to the remaining weeks. The post...
-
Minority Leaders Respond To Morrisey’s First State Of The State Address
Gov. Patrick Morrisey delivered his first State of the State address to the West Virginia Legislature Wednesday night. Minority Leaders Sen. Mike Woelfel, D-Cabell, and Del. Sean Hornbuckle, D-Cabell, sat down with News Director Eric Douglas to discuss Morrisey's State of the State address and...
About this show
The Legislature Today is West Virginia’s only television/radio simulcast devoted to covering the state’s 60-day regular legislative session. In addition to the weeknight television broadcast throughout the session.
Hosted by
West Virginia Public Broadcasting
Categories