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Feb. 28 was Crossover Day, the last day for senators or House delegates to move bills out of their chamber. Lawmakers made progress on some fronts, but other critical issues
A bill that would tax and restrict carbon offset agreements did not advance out of the West Virginia Senate on the final day for most bills to pass out of their house of origin in the 2024 regular legislative session Wednesday, all but assuring its demise. That bill, Senate Bill 822, didn't advance after two Democrats criticized it on the Senate floor Wednesday.
West Virginia leaders have let legislation aimed at promoting small business growth in minority and low-income communities languish while the state's Economic Development Authority has approved hundreds of millions of dollars in forgivable loans to large companies. Legislative leaders have brushed aside calls from The Rev. Matthew Watts and the Tuesday Morning Group to back legislation tailored to help small businesses grow in minority and low-income communities.
Senate Bill 840 would reduce the maximum amount to $550 dollars a week. Senate Bill 841 reduces the duration of benefits. It works on a tiered system based on statewide unemployment numbers. If the statewide unemployment number is under 5 percent — which it currently is — then the maximum benefit duration would be 12 weeks, cutting it down by more than half.