Tag: Governor Earl Ray Tomblin

West Virginia Governor Eyes Late September Session on Floods

Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin is urging county school boards to tally their flood damages quickly so he can call a special session later this month to address…

Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin is urging county school boards to tally their flood damages quickly so he can call a special session later this month to address flood costs.

Tomblin told reporters Wednesday that school damages will be key in determining whether the cash-strapped state has to foot 25 percent of flood costs, or just 10 percent.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency will increase its cost share from 75 to 90 percent if the state can show it suffered about $254 million in damage costs or more.

Tomblin says he hopes to have school damage numbers soon so he can call lawmakers into session while they’re already in town for the Sept. 18-20 interim meetings.

The June 23 floods killed 23 people and ravaged homes, businesses and infrastructure.

 

Governor & Veterans Officials Unveil Mountain State 22

Governor Earl Ray Tomblin was joined Wednesday by officials from the West Virginia Department of Veterans Assistance to announce a new veterans suicide…

Governor Earl Ray Tomblin was joined Wednesday by officials from the West Virginia Department of Veterans Assistance to announce a new veterans suicide prevention program.

The program is called Mountain State 22 program. The goal is to highlight issues that prompt suicide among veterans and reduce the number of veterans’ suicides.

According to a press release from the Governor’s office, Mountain State 22 is the first state-managed program in the country directed specifically toward curbing veterans’ suicides. Governor Earl Ray Tomblin said the program is vitally important.  

“We owe it to those who have given so much in service to our state and nation and to the families who proudly stand by their side to do everything in our power to give them the support they need as they transition back to civilian life,” Tomblin said.

According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs studies, the national average for suicides in the U.S. is 22 per day. Mountain State 22 will also include education and public awareness initiatives designed to reach veterans and their family members. There were eight reported suicides in 2015 among West Virginia Veterans. 

Eight Counties Stay Under Flood State of Emergency

Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin is maintaining a state of emergency for eight West Virginia counties devastated by floods in June.On Monday, Tomblin announced the…

Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin is maintaining a state of emergency for eight West Virginia counties devastated by floods in June.

On Monday, Tomblin announced the extension until Sept. 21 for eight of the 12 counties that have been under a state of emergency. The declaration was scheduled to expire Monday, two months after floods killed 23 people and destroyed homes, businesses and infrastructure.

The state of emergency continues for Clay, Fayette, Greenbrier, Kanawha, Nicholas, Roane, Summers and Webster counties.

The emergency declaration expires Monday evening for Jackson, Lincoln, Monroe and Pocahontas counties.

Tomblin extended the state of emergency last month to ensure all available state resources are provided to rebuild homes, businesses and communities.

At one point, 44 of West Virginia’s 55 counties were under a state of emergency.

Workers' Comp Rate Drop to Save West Virginia Employers $36 Million

West Virginia Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin says the state will save employers $36 million through lower workers’ compensation premiums.

Tomblin said in a news release Friday that the savings result from a 12th reduction in workers’ compensation premiums in 12 years. Tomblin’s office says that amounts to a savings of more than $352 million since the program was privatized in 2006.

The National Council on Compensation Insurance filed a proposed drop of 14.7 percent in workers’ compensation loss cost rates with the West Virginia Insurance Commissioner. The new rate is effective Nov. 1.

Government Jobs Drop Two Percent Since Tomblin Hiring Freeze

State government jobs have dropped by more than 2 percent since Democratic Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin imposed a hiring freeze in 2013.

The Charleston Gazette-Mail reports that the number full-time positions has dropped by 917 since West Virginia’s freeze went into effect.

Tomblin spokeswoman Jessica Tice says the goal is to limit the growth in state employment while maintaining essential services of the state. She says that not all vacant jobs are left unfilled, but that a careful review is made to decide whether replacements are needed.

The biggest drop has occurred in the Department of Health, where the equivalent of about 208 full time jobs have been eliminated. Next is the Higher Education Policy Commission, with 204 fewer employees.

Uber Opens its Doors in West Virginia

Ride-sharing company Uber is now officially operating in two West Virginia cities. The company opened up shop in Charleston and Morgantown on Tuesday.

U.S. Senator Joe Manchin and Governor Earl Ray Tomblin took the first Uber ride in West Virginia Tuesday. They rode from the Capitol Market to the state Capitol to celebrate the service’s opening in the state.

“I think it’s a great service,” Tomblin said, “It’s going to create some jobs out there for those drivers out there and help people coming into town that needs transportation around.”

The ride-sharing service is the result of two years of legislative effort. Lawmakers finally approved the bill during the 2016 legislative session.

The law requires a Division of Motor Vehicles permit, car insurance, underinsured and uninsured motorist coverage, a zero tolerance drug and alcohol policy, and driver background checks.

“The great thing is, if you talk to the drivers,” Manchin said, “…this is extra income; extra opportunities for their families… They can work their own time; they can work wherever they want to work, and it’s unbelievable to be your own boss and have this additional opportunity for income.”

As of Tuesday, Uber rides can be digitally hailed in Charleston and Morgantown. The app is expected to be up and running in Huntington within a month before expanding to other West Virginia cities.

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