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Martinsburg, Nitro To Try Home Rule

An Eastern Panhandle city and another city in the Kanawha Valley will seek to participate in the state's Municipal Home Rule Pilot Program. The…

An Eastern Panhandle city and another city in the Kanawha Valley will seek to participate in the state’s Municipal Home Rule Pilot Program.

The Martinsburg City Council and the Nitro City Council both approved ordinances on Tuesday authorizing the submission of applications to the program.
The program shifts power from the state to the local level and gives municipalities a larger say in how they govern. It began as a five-year pilot program in Bridgeport, Charleston, Huntington and Wheeling.

Last year, the Legislature continued the program until July 1, 2019, and allowed a total 20 municipalities to participate.

Final Vote Set on Martinsburg Home Rule Proposal

Martinsburg’s City Council plans to vote this week on whether the city will apply for the state’s home rule program.

A final vote is scheduled Tuesday on a proposed ordinance that would authorize Mayor George Karos to submit the city’s application.

The Journal reports that Martinsburg’s application includes adopting a 1 percent sales tax. Business and occupation taxes on wholesale and retail businesses would be reduced. The B&O tax on amusement businesses would be eliminated.

West Virginia’s Home Rule Program shifts power from the state to the local level and gives municipalities a larger say in how they govern. It began as a five-year pilot program in four cities.

Last year, the Legislature continued the program until July 1, 2019, and allowed a total 20 municipalities to participate.

Martinsburg to Hold Public Hearing on Home Rule

Martinsburg officials plan to gather input from residents and property owners on the city’s home rule application.

A public hearing is set for tomorrow night as part of a special City Council meeting.

The city’s application includes adopting a 1 percent sales tax that would raise an estimated $2.4 million in revenue. Business and occupation taxes would be reduced and a tariff on amusement businesses would be eliminated.

West Virginia’s Municipal Home Rule program shifts power from the state to the local level and gives municipalities a larger say in how they govern. It began as a five-year pilot program in four cities.

Last year, the Legislature expanded the program to allow a total 20 municipalities to participate.

Charleston's Big Question: Gun Laws or Home Rule?

A gun rights group has gone to court in an attempt to stop enforcement of Charleston’s gun ordinances.

The West Virginia Citizens Defense League asked Kanawha Circuit Court on Tuesday to issue an injunction against the ordinances.

The group says Charleston isn’t complying with a new state law that removed the authority to regulate guns from cities participating in West Virginia’s home rule program.

     Charleston officials haven’t decided whether to opt out of the program or modify the city’s gun ordinances.

     The ordinances limit handgun purchases and prohibit handguns and other deadly weapons on public property.

     City Attorney Paul Ellis says the city will review the complaint and respond in court.