September 11th, 2025 by WCBC Radio
The West Virginia Legislature gathered for interim meetings from Sunday through Tuesday. There had been speculation that a special session might be called beforehand, but the Governor chose not to issue such a call.
I began the week with the Joint Committee on Government and Finance, which is made up of leadership from both the House and the Senate. One of the first topics we addressed was the formation of two new joint committees. The first is the Joint Legislative Committee on Flooding. After a series of floods earlier this year it became clear that improvements are needed in how we respond and clean up following such events. The second is the Legislative Oversight Committee on Corrections and Public Safety.
The committee also reviewed a presentation on state revenues. This is something I have now seen twice since I also serve on the Joint Committee on Finance where the information is presented in even greater detail. Deputy Secretary of Revenue Mark Muchow delivered the reports, and at one meeting he was joined by Revenue Secretary Eric Nelson who provided additional background.
The financial picture for the state remains encouraging. Personal income tax receipts came in higher than projected even with recent tax cuts. This reflects higher wages and more West Virginians working. Sales tax collections were also above expectations, showing that consumer confidence is strong. Severance tax receipts did fall short, but the decline was tied to lower metallurgical coal prices rather than reduced production. Projections suggest those revenues will climb again soon. For the month, estimates were only off by four million dollars, and overall the state remains more than seventeen million dollars ahead for the year.
We also looked at how nearby states are performing and Maryland’s situation is troubling. Maryland recently increased its top personal income tax rate from 5.75 percent to 6.5 percent. In Allegany County the combined state and local rate is now 9.53 percent, and in Garrett County the total is 9.15 percent. By comparison, West Virginia reduced its top rate from 6.5 percent to 4.82 percent in that same period and does not allow local income taxes. That means Mineral County residents pay roughly half what their Maryland neighbors do.
The Joint Committee on Energy and Public Works heard several reports, including one on the Only Pay for What You Get Act. This proposal is designed to promote reliable and affordable electricity by encouraging utilities to build facilities that deliver the greatest value to the grid. The United States Department of Energy has already declared emergency conditions within PJM because of higher demand and faster than expected retirements of older plants. Under this policy, the amount utilities can pass on to ratepayers would be tied to the reliability of the generation source. Coal and nuclear plants, which operate around the clock, would qualify for faster cost recovery than sources like solar that are limited to daylight hours. Advocates believe this would lead to new baseload power plants, although some could be built outside our borders. Lawmakers will need to review this carefully to decide whether it is right for West Virginia.
Another important discussion was led by Todd Tetrick, Senior Vice President of Upstream Operations for Diversified Energy Company. He reviewed the Aboveground Storage Tank Act. This law was written quickly after the 2014 Freedom Industries chemical spill and has required repeated changes to address problems. The energy industry is now asking for additional adjustments that would ease compliance but still protect public safety. The Legislature will be examining these proposals before the next session.
We also heard from John Litynski, Head of Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage at EQT. He described how injecting carbon dioxide underground could provide new income for landowners. At the same time he raised concerns that stored carbon dioxide might interfere with future natural gas development if it is located above reserves. It will be up to lawmakers to weigh the potential financial gains against possible long term risks.
The Joint Committee on Economic Development also met. Christine H. Davies, who was recently hired as Deputy Secretary for Economic Development and Workforce Participation, gave an overview of changes underway in the Department of Commerce. She explained how the Division of Economic Development is being restructured to better meet today’s challenges. We were also introduced to Chris Morris, who has been named Data Economy Liaison and Director of the Data Economy Office. Many will know Chris as a Keyser native and graduate of Keyser High School. These changes are promising and in the months ahead we will see how they work in practice.
As always, I welcome your thoughts and ideas. Whether you need help with a state agency, would like to suggest legislation, or simply want to share your vision for West Virginia’s future, please reach out to me at (304) 340 3191 or by email at Gary.Howell@WVHouse.gov
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April 12th, 2025 by WCBC Radio
If the halls of the Capitol could talk, they’d have plenty of stories to tell after this final week of the 2025 legislative session. Things got hectic, to say the least. Tempers ran high. Bills that seemed like sure bets fizzled out, while others came back from the brink. There was a lot of pacing, last-minute negotiating, and more than a few furrowed brows.
To be honest, this session has been one of the stranger ones I’ve been part of. Nothing seemed to follow the usual script. It’s a good reminder that in this building, you can never take anything for granted—not even the things that seem like a done deal.
I wasn’t in Charleston for Monday’s floor session, as I was attending the funeral of Tim Dantzic—a solemn moment to honor a life well lived. While I was away, the House took up a bill worth highlighting: Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 50. This legislation takes a smart step forward by requiring municipal elections to be held on the same day as statewide elections.
Turnout in city elections across West Virginia has consistently been low, and running them separately creates unnecessary costs. This bill tackles both problems by giving cities two options: hold their elections during the primary or general election. By syncing up with the state schedule, counties and municipalities can now share election expenses—just as we did a few years ago with levy elections, which saw both cost savings and a bump in participation.
The bill passed with strong bipartisan support, 96 to 2. Had I been on the floor that day, I would have proudly added my ‘yes’ vote to the tally. I’ve since recorded my intended vote with the House Clerk.
Among the legislation that carried a deeper meaning this session was Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 464, which creates a special license plate to honor recipients of the West Virginia Medal of Valor. This medal—our state’s highest award—is reserved for those in law enforcement, the military, or first responder roles who show extraordinary courage, often in life-threatening situations.
When we first created the Medal of Valor, we knew it would only be awarded in the most exceptional cases. Since then, only a few have been presented—some, heartbreakingly, to families whose loved one died while saving others. This new bill provides a lasting tribute: a distinctive license plate available exclusively to Medal of Valor recipients or their surviving spouses. It’s a small gesture, but one that reminds us of the bravery and sacrifice behind the stories.
One of the quirks of our state Constitution is the rule that allows any legislator to demand a bill be read aloud in full. This made sense in an era when literacy wasn’t widespread, but today, it’s mostly used as a procedural tactic to slow things down. Rather than letting a bill be explained briefly, an objection triggers a full reading—something that can easily eat up hours of floor time.
That’s exactly what happened on Wednesday. Members of the minority began requesting full readings of every bill as a form of protest over a committee decision they disagreed with. It didn’t just slow the process—it brought it nearly to a crawl. To avoid overworking our reading clerks, we’ve turned to AI to handle the readings, which adds a bit of technological irony to an old rule.
The frustrating part is this tactic doesn’t just block controversial bills—it can also stall or sink good legislation that West Virginia desperately needs. With time running out in the session, every delay puts important progress at risk.
Thursday brought a rare moment on the House floor—a tie vote. House Concurrent Resolution 102 called on Congress to convene a Convention of States under Article V of the U.S. Constitution, with the goal of proposing amendments focused on enforcing fiscal responsibility at the federal level.
Debate was strong on both sides, and when the vote was tallied, the result was a 49-49 deadlock. Under House rules, a tie means the resolution fails and no change is made. So, while the idea sparked plenty of discussion, HCR 102 ultimately did not move forward.
House Bill 2026, the final version of the state budget, brings several noteworthy benefits to Mineral County for Fiscal Year 2026. One highlight is the increased base funding for West Virginia University – Potomac State College, which will receive $5,307,402—a 3.3% increase over last year’s funding, or $169,356 more. This additional investment reinforces the state’s commitment to higher education and helps ensure Potomac State remains a strong engine for workforce development and economic opportunity in our region.
The budget also continues to support the cultural and civic fabric of Mineral County through the Fairs and Festivals program. Events such as the Burlington Apple Harvest, Piedmont’s Back Street Festival, the Keg and Barrel Fest, the West Virginia Peach Festival, and others will receive funding to help them grow and thrive. These celebrations are more than just gatherings—they’re traditions that bring our communities together, support local volunteers, and showcase the spirit of Mineral County. Together, these investments reflect a balanced focus on both education and community in the year ahead.
Whether you’re having trouble navigating a state agency or have an idea that could improve life here in West Virginia, I’m here to help. Feel free to reach out by email at Gary.Howell@WVHouse.gov or call my office at (304) 340-3191. I always welcome your input and look forward to working together to make our state even better.
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