Tag: 2019 Budget

MARC Train Service in W.Va. Chugs On, But an Uncertain Future Lies Ahead

The MARC Train, or Maryland Area Regional Commuter, serves about 250 West Virginians who live in Berkeley and Jefferson Counties.

The train has been serving the area for more than 30 years, but Maryland has always paid the bills. West Virginia was only responsible for upkeep of its three West Virginia stations.

Recently, that changed.

For the last two years, Maryland has requested a little more than $3 million in funding – otherwise, they’d end the service into West Virginia.

Below is an extended version of this interview:

In 2018, the West Virginia Legislature secured $1.5 million, and Maryland accepted it. This year, lawmakers successfully put $1.1 million in the budget, but it’s unclear if Maryland will accept the offer.

West Virginia Public Broadcasting spoke with Del. Paul Espinosa, R-Jefferson, the House Majority Whip and member of the House Finance Committee, to discuss the future of MARC in West Virginia.

'We Can Get Back to Our Kids, Where We Need to Be' – Teacher Work Stoppage Appears to be Over

Updated on Mar. 6, 2018 at 8:30 p.m.

After nine long days of a teacher and service personnel work stoppage, it looks like it’s come to an end. Lawmakers have agreed to a five percent pay raise for teachers as well as a five percent pay increase for all public workers.

Thousands of teachers and other public employees erupted in cheers and tears as senators opened their chamber doors to announce approval of a bill that increases pay to teachers, school personnel, and state troopers by five percent.

A five percent pay raise for all state employees was also agreed to in a conference committee and will be managed in the upcoming state budgeting process.

Fifth-grade teacher Lori Jarrett from Boone County said she cried when the vote came. When asked how she was feeling, Jarrett said she was, “tired, exhausted, so happy, so happy that we won, and this is finally over, and we can get back to our kids where we need to be.”

Cheers at state capitol Tuesday afternoon.

Lawmakers have said there will be areas and services that will be cut, however, in order to give the promised pay raises.

Emily Tanzey, an eighth grade English teacher from Monongalia County, said that’s something that concerns her. “I am nervous about the funding source, because in the Senate Finance Committee, they mentioned cuts to things like Medicaid, which makes me really anxious, but overall, I think it’s a win for West Virginia.” 

Governor Jim Justice signed HB 4145, giving a five percent pay raise to teachers, school service personnel and state troopers shortly after the vote was announced. It will go into effect on July 1, 2018.

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