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 — Tomorrow starts West Virginia Watchdog’s third time covering the West Virginia Legislature‘s regular session. The House of Delegates and state Senate gavel in at noon tomorrow, and Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin will give the State of the State address at 7 p.m. tomorrow evening.
Every year I [...]

By Steven Allen Adams | West Virginia Watchdog
CHARLESTON — If Monday’s nearly five-hour debate is any indication, Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin‘s Marcellus Shale regulation bill will take time before passage.
The bill passed the Senate Judiciary Committee this afternoon, with debate starting at 9 a.m. and ending close to 2 p.m.
The Governor’s bill applies to any [...]

UPDATE: Added comments from state Sen. Art Kirkendoll and another statement from Senate President Jeff Kessler. Awaiting comments from Sens. Brooks McCabe and Mike Green.
By Steven Allen Adams | West Virginia Watchdog
CHARLESTON — Jeff Kessler, president of the West Virginia Senate, announced the last of his committee chair and co-chair assignments today.
“The team of Senators [...]

Update 1: Added statements from Secretary of State Natalie Tennant, House Speaker Rick Thompson, and House Majority Leader Brent Boggs.
Update 2: Cleaned up paragraphs and added statement from Thorton Cooper.

By Steven Allen Adams | West Virginia Watchdog
CHARLESTON — In a pre-Thanksgiving decision, the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals ruled against the petitioners asking the [...]

Former Logan County Commissioner Art Kirkendoll talks to reporters after his appointment by Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin as state Senator. (Photo/Steven Allen Adams)
By Steven Allen Adams | West Virginia Watchdog
CHARLESTON — After being nominated along with three other names, former Logan County Commissioner Art Kirkendoll was appointed by Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin to serve 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
steven@westvirginiawatchdog.org
With all eyes on the West Virginia House of Delegates as they attempt to pass another redistricting bill, the State Senate passed two appropriations bills, allowing for secondary road repair.
The first bill, S.B. 2001, would expire up to $15 million from the Lottery Commission’s Revenue Center Construction Fund and transfer those monies [...]

By Steven Allen Adams
steven@westvirginiawatchdog.org
The West Virginia Legislature wrapped up their special session shortly after 10 p.m. Friday night after lawmakers negotiated changes to the food tax bill.
S.B. 1001 originally called for a .50 percent reduction in the food tax. During the 2011 general session the Legislature passed a 1 percent reduction in the food tax, [...]