State Workers Rally, Tensions Rise in W.Va. Senate, and Pending Teachers’ Strike Looms

On The Legislature Today, hundreds, some estimate thousands, of teachers and service workers filled the West Virginia Capitol building Friday demanding higher wages and a fix to the Public Employees Insurance Agency. Host Andrea Lannom discusses the action and reaction to the rally in this week’s reporter roundtable.

Lannom is once again joined by Brad McElhinny of West Virginia MetroNews and Ryan Quinn of the Charleston Gazette-Mail.

Breakdown of the Reporter Roundtable:

• Teacher and service personnel rally
• Seven counties, at least, were involved in the rally:
  • Brooke
  • Cabell
  • Clay
  • Lincoln
  • Mason
  • Wayne
  • Wetzel
• Senate’s unexpected recess from floor session
• Continuing concerns with PEIA
• Status of SB 267 – the teacher & service worker pay raise bill
• Lookahead at Saturday, Feb. 17 teachers rally on the steps of the Capitol
• Heated exchange in Senate between Minority Leader Sen. Roman Prezioso, D-Marion and Sen. Mike Azinger, R-Wood

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MocHSXpK1QI

This wraps up the fifth full week of the 2018 state Legislative session. With a teacher strike pending, major bills making their way through the process, and a budget to be delivered, we hope you’ll tune-in for all the coverage.

The Legislature Today is West Virginia’s source for daily legislative news and information. The only live television program covering the West Virginia Legislature, the broadcast features reports from the Senate, House and committee meetings with in-depth interviews and analysis of the legislative process in West Virginia.

The Legislature Today can be seen weeknights on:

• 6 and 11 p.m. – WVPB (main channel)
• 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. – The West Virginia Channel

The Legislature Today can also be heard at 6 p.m. weeknights on WVPB’s statewide radio network.
Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes.