Leading West Virginia lawmakers want to stiffen penalties for fentanyl dealers, give public school teachers more raises, remove disruptive students from classrooms and increase funding for first responders. ing.
Republican state Senate President Craig Blair and House Speaker Roger Hanshaw, along with House Democratic Leader Sean Hornbuckle, laid out their priorities Friday at an annual meeting with journalists hosted by the West Virginia Press Association. I showed you a glimpse. The 60-day legislative session begins next week.
Mr Hanshaw said MPs would also like to see how the new higher education funding formula develops. Congress previously approved a formula that rewards schools for degree completion, workforce performance and graduates' wages.
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“For too long, funding for our higher education institutions has been largely dependent on whether a school is represented on the House or Senate Finance Committee,” Hanshaw said. “That's not a viable way to do business.”
West Virginia University's Board of Trustees in September made widespread cuts to academic programs and faculty positions to address a $45 million budget shortfall that is expected to grow to as much as $75 million over five years. Morgantown's colleges are under financial stress due to a 10% decline in enrollment since 2015, reduced revenue due to the pandemic and increased debt for new construction projects.
West Virginia Republican Senate President Craig Blair (left), House Republican Speaker Roger Hanshaw (center), and Democratic House of Representatives discuss during the West Virginia Legislature Vision Conference on January 5, 2024 in Charleston, West Virginia. Coach Sean Hornbuckle (right).Virginia (AP Photo/John Lavie)
A month ago, Gov. Jim Justice signed a bill allocating $45 million to open a new cybersecurity center at Marshall University in Huntington. The governor later rejected a suggestion that state funds should have been used to support WVU given the state's $1.8 billion surplus in fiscal year 2023, which ended last June.
A new funding formula begins this year.
“We want to know how it works,” Hanschusso said. “We'd like to know what adjustments we need to make to it.”
Last year, Congress failed to pass a bill that would have made distributing fentanyl a felony from a misdemeanor. Prime Minister Blair and Prime Minister Huntshawe made it clear at the start of their meeting on Friday that they were determined to get something done. West Virginia has long had the highest drug overdose death rate in the nation.
“Fentanyl promoters are murderers,” Hanshaw said.
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Pay increases for public school teachers, school staff and other state employees proposed by the governor this year would help offset rising health care costs, adding to the $2,300 raise for state employees in 2023 and state income tax cuts last year. It will be something that continues. There was an average increase of 21.25% across the brackets.
“Personally, I would be in favor of doing that again if finances allow,” Prime Minister Blair said.
Last year, lawmakers passed a bill that would allow unruly students to be suspended on or off campus depending on the number of incidents. Prime Minister Blair said further legislation could be considered this year to move such students to separate classrooms with cameras and experts.
“Teachers are having a hard time in the classroom because of students who are disruptive,” Blair said. The bill would “enable these teachers to do their jobs without disruption.”
Lawmakers also want to prioritize funding for the state's vast network of volunteer fire and emergency services departments. The Justice Department signed a bill in August that provides $12 million to these departments, saying the state must find a permanent source for such funds.
“That's a priority for us,” Hanshaw agreed Friday.
The attorney general also said he wants lawmakers to reconsider a new law that allows high school athletes to transfer just once during their career and become immediately eligible. The bill passed last year without the Republican governor's signature. Justice, who coaches the high school girls' basketball team, became concerned after the lopsided scores in several high school football games to begin the 2023 season.
Mr Hornbuckle welcomed the review of the law, but added: “We can't react in an expedient manner. We have to find a compromise. It's a bit more nuanced than you might think. And we have to take the time to address this issue.” ”
West Virginia has one of the lowest labor force participation rates in the nation, and leading lawmakers talked about ways to help families worried about childcare.
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Funding was cut off for 220,000 child care programs across the country this fall after two years of receiving federal subsidies. Hanshaw said large employers in the state were allowed to apply for child care program development credits last year. Now he wants to expand that opportunity to some small businesses as well.
“As the data we've been presented with shows, the program we instituted last year is working very well,” Hanshaw said.
Justice has made a number of job announcements in recent years, including one Monday with LG Electronics, which develops technology in renewable energy, telemedicine and other industries. Hornbuckle said bringing jobs to the state is only great if workers can find a way to care for children.
“The most important thing is parenting,” Hornbuckle said. “We have to make sure people can get these great jobs.”
Republicans hold supermajorities in the House and state Senate.
