The Legislature Today

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 Says ‘It’s A Balance’ When Addressing Issues During Session appeared first on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

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.

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, Sen. Mike Woelfel and Del. Sean Hornbuckle offer the minority response. The post Morrisey Outlines Priorities In State Of State, Hornbuckle, Woelfel Offer Minority Response appeared first on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

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 2025 Session appeared first on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

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 from those facilities to the state. Curtis Tate talks with Kelly Allen of the West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy about this issue. The post Budget, Policy Expert Talks Microgrids And Tax Revenues appeared first on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

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 by President Donald Trump where he signed an executive order with the intention of supporting the coal industry. The post A Discussion On Energy appeared first on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

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 on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

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 Zuckett and Shawn Phillips of West Virginia Citizen Action Group to discuss this issue. The post Lawmakers Enter Final Week Of 2025 Regular Session appeared first on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

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 reporters Briana Heaney and Curtis Tate are joined by Energy & Environment Reporter Sarah Elbeshbishi with the nonprofit newsroom Mountain State Spotlight. The post Reporter Roundtable Talks Budget, Energy And FOIA Legislation appeared first on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

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 on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

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.

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 Hamilton, president of the West Virginia Coal Association. Our Energy & Environment Reporter Curtis Tate speaks with Hamilton about issues the coal industry is facing at home and abroad. The post West Virginia Coal Association President Talks Challenges Facing Industry appeared first on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

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 studio about some of the proposed legislation this session and how it affects teachers. The WVEA and the American Federation of Teachers plan to merge this summer to become a single teacher’s union in the state. The post State Education Union Head Weighs In On Session appeared first on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

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 first on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

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 Public Broadcasting.

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 Home Rule appeared first on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

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 Finance Committee. This time, News Director Eric Douglas sits down with Sean O’Leary, senior policy analyst at West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy, to discuss the state’s budget from an analyst’s perspective. The post Policy Analyst Weighs In On State Budget appeared first on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

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 Virginia Public Broadcasting.

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 Virginia Public Broadcasting.

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 expand their practice are still moving. Sen. Eric Tarr, R-Putnam, has argued against some of these bills so he joined News Director Eric Douglas in our studio to discuss why.  The post Lawmaker Talks Potential Changes To Medical Practices In W.Va. appeared first on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

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 Finance Committee Lawmakers Weigh In On Budget Bill appeared first on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

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 Challenges Unique To Eastern Panhandle appeared first on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

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 aboveground storage tanks. The post Energy & Environment Stakeholders Weigh In On Legislative Session appeared first on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

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 Broadcasting.

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 Child Care Issues appeared first on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

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 systems and students.  The post W.Va. School Board Association Head Talks Legislation Aimed At Schools, Students appeared first on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

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 & Kinship Parents Network, and Rachel Kinder with Mission West Virginia, a non-profit that advocates and focuses on those same areas.  The post Stakeholders Weigh In On Foster Care Issues appeared first on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

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 Training, Retention Plans For Department Of Human Services appeared first on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

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 Broadcasting.

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 Director Maria Young talks with Sens. Eric Tarr, R-Putnam, and Mike Woelfel, D-Cabell, about the bill. The post Senators Discuss Opioid Treatment Program Legislation appeared first on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

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 topics, they discuss rising electricity prices, community solar and data centers. The post Lawmakers From Both Sides Of The Aisle Talk Energy appeared first on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

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 topics including removing ineligible voters from the rolls, clarifying eligibility requirements and prohibiting ranked choice voting. The post Chief Deputy Secretary Of State Talks Election Legislation appeared first on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

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 Virginia Public Broadcasting.

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 Public Broadcasting.

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 foster care and the state budget. The post Committee Chairs Talk Foster Care, State Budget appeared first on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

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 Childhood Vaccine Bill appeared first on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

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 shortage. The post Education Committee Chairs Talk School Discipline, Teacher Staffing appeared first on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

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 bill that passed the Senate and is now before the House Health and Human Resources Committee. The post Drug Testing, Gender Legislation Make Gains In Committees appeared first on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

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 Education, Health appeared first on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

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 Education, PEIA And Foster Care appeared first on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

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 lawmakers are proposing to state code this session. The post Health Stakeholders Discuss Proposed Changes To State Code appeared first on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

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 appeared first on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

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 exemptions from vaccines. Rohrbach is also a doctor. The post Deputy Speaker Of The House Talks Floor Debate Changes, Vaccine Exemptions appeared first on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

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 Reporter Roundtable Recaps First Week Of 2025 Session And Looks Ahead appeared first on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

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 being a minority to a supermajority in the legislature. The post Minority Leaders Respond To Morrisey’s First State Of The State Address appeared first on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

On this episode of The Legislature Today, we have our final reporter roundtable of the 2024 state legislative session. WVPB statehouse reporters Randy Yohe and Briana Heaney talk with Leah Willingham from the Associated Press about the past 60 days and the upcoming final hours of the session on Saturday. The post Reporter Roundtable Looks Ahead To Final Hours Of 2024 Session appeared first on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

On this episode of The Legislature Today, our Senate reporter Briana Heaney talks with Senate Minority Leader Mike Woelfel, D-Cabell, and Sen. Mike Oliverio, R-Monongalia, to discuss where things stand and how that compares to what they planned to do at the beginning of the session. The post State Senators Weigh In On The Bills That Passed, Failed This Session appeared first on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

On this episode of The Legislature Today, when the session began in January, our government reporter Randy Yohe was assigned to cover the House of Delegates and our southern West Virginia reporter Briana Heaney was assigned the Senate. With a budget bill still to be finalized, Yohe and Heaney offer some of their insights into bill proposals, passed and failed, that affect the lives, wallets and communities of West Virginia.  The post WVPB Reporters Recap Bills Passed And Failed This Session appeared first on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

On this episode of The Legislature Today, much of the debate Tuesday morning in the House of Delegates focused on satisfying a $465 million federal claw back regarding the state’s spending on education. When it came to the budget debate – some promised program funding not education related - fell by the wayside. The post Lawmakers Debate Budget And Federal Funding Claw Back appeared first on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

On this episode of The Legislature Today, we’ve begun the final week of the 60-day West Virginia Legislative session, and everything wraps up Saturday at midnight. Randy Yohe talks with Del. Mike Pushkin, D-Kanawha, to see how his caucus feels about the session and whether they met their priorities for this year. WVPB invited House Majority Whip Del. Marty Gearheart, R-Mercer, to join the conversation, but he was unable to participate. The post All Eyes On The Budget As 2024 Session Enters Final Week appeared first on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.