By Steven Allen Adams | West Virginia Watchdog
CHARLESTON — A bill creating new standards for evaluating and mentoring teachers in West Virginia’s school systems is making its way through committees in the West Virginia Legislature
HB4236 and SB372 would expand a year-old pilot program requiring all 55 county school systems to evaluate their [...]

By Steven Allen Adams | West Virginia Watchdog
CHARLESTON — Legislation the could lure a major natural gas manufacturing facility to West Virginia could be in the Governor’s hands by the end of the week at latest.
In a rare move, the West Virginia House of Delegates voted to suspend the rules and pass Gov. Earl Ray [...]

By Steven Allen Adams | West Virginia Watchdog
CHARLESTON — Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin gave his second State of the State address tonight, his first since elected Governor in October.
Tomblin’s 2012 agenda will focus on economic development, substance abuse, mine safety, the state’s public retiree health care liability, and education. Tomblin will also unveil his fiscal [...]

By Steven Allen Adams | West Virginia Watchdog
CHARLESTON — In our eighth most read story of the year, the West Virginia Legislature and Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin provided funding for the West Virginia Occupational Safety and Health Act, which had been unfunded since first created 25 years ago.
“The act created rules and standards for workplace [...]

UPDATE 4:13 p.m. – Added statement from Governor Tomblin and details on his Marcellus Shale legislation.
By Steven Allen Adams | West Virginia Watchdog
CHARLESTON — Nearly 30 days after draft legislation passed an interim committee, the West Virginia Legislature will meet this weekend to pass permanent Marcellus Shale regulations.
Earlier today, the Wheeling Intelligencer reported that the [...]

Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin answers questions about a possible special session for Marcellus Shale regulation. (photo/Steven Allen Adams)
By Steven Allen Adams | West Virginia Watchdog
CHARLESTON — West Virginia’s natural gas industry could receive an early gift from Santa in the form of permanent rules for Marcellus Shale drilling.
Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin told reporters this morning [...]

The Joint Select Committee on Marcellus Shale meets for one last time. (Photo/Steven Allen Adams)
By Steven Allen Adams | West Virginia Watchdog
CHARLESTON — After five months of work and meetings, the Joint Select Committee on Marcellus Shale passed draft legislation governing the fracking and drilling procedures used by companies to extract natural gas from underground.
The [...]

By Steven Allen Adams | West Virginia Watchdog
CHARLESTON — Lawmakers on the Joint Select Committee on Marcellus Shale have received thousands of dollars in political donations from the oil and gas industry, with state senators receiving the bulk of donations.
According to a breakdown of donation data by the National Institute on Money in State Politics, [...]

Legislators met in joint session Sunday to approved the Oct.4 special elections results. (Photo/Steven Allen Adams)
By Steven Allen Adams | West Virginia Watchdog
CHARLESTON — It’s all over but the swearing-in.
The West Virginia Legislature convened in special session at noon today to certify the results of the Oct. 4 special election for governor.
Secretary of State Natalie [...]

By Steven Allen Adams | West Virginia Watchdog
CHARLESTON — According to a respected health care expert, if West Virginia doesn’t address its obesity and chronic care issues, health care costs will continue to rise.
Members of the Joint Committee on Health heard a report today from Dr. Kenneth E. Thorpe, the Robert W. Woodruff Professor and [...]