Tag: J.B. Akers

PEIA Finance Board Holds Last Public Hearing

Over the course of three hours, retirees, teachers, emergency services personnel, and a range of state employees with PEIA health insurance spoke about anticipating more financial strain.

The finance board for the Public Employees Insurance Agency (PEIA) hosted its last public hearing on cost increases Thursday night in Charleston.

Over the course of three hours, retirees, teachers, emergency services personnel, and a range of state employees with PEIA health insurance spoke about anticipating more financial strain.

“We don’t have collective bargaining,” America Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees retirees from West Virginia union president Spud Terry said. “We have collective begging.”

Many pointed to the new legislature and governor – who could designate funds to offset the rising healthcare costs – to take action next year.

Del. Mike Pushkin, D-Kanawha, and chair of the state Democratic party, attended the hearing. He asked the governor and state legislature for action.

“The House Finance Committee and the Senate Finance Committee is who actually needs to hear this,” Pushkin said.

When Pushkin asked if anyone in the audience was from the legislature, Gov. Jim Justice’ office, or governor elect Patrick Morrisey’s office, he was met with no response. 

Del. J.B. Akers, R-Kanawha, attended the first portion of the meeting. The hearing’s registration pages recorded no other state legislators in attendance.

Those who want to comment to the PEIA finance board may email PEIAComments@wv.gov or send mail to 601 5th St. SE, Suite 2, Charleston, WV 25304. The PEIA finance board will consider comments received by Dec. 4.

Justice Ceremonially Signs Special Session Tax Cut

Gov. Jim Justice signed all outstanding special session bills on Oct. 16, putting them into effect. He held an additional ceremonial signing for the 2 percent tax cut Thursday.

Gov. Jim Justice signed all outstanding special session bills on Oct. 16, putting them into effect. He held an additional ceremonial signing for the 2 percent tax cut Thursday.

In 2017, Justice vetoed the state budget alongside a silver platter of bull manure. Thursday, he ceremonially signed the recent special sessions’ 2 percent personal income tax rate cut while unveiling a silver platter with gold bars.

Senate President Craig Blair, R-Berkeley, Sen. Mike Stuart, R-Kanawha, Sen. Jack David Woodrum, R-Summers, Sen. Vince Deeds, R-Greenbrier, and Del. J.B. Akers, R-Kanawha, attended the signing.

Akers is up for an election after Justice appointed him to the 55th district in January 2024.

“My district is very diverse in terms of the voters, but I do think most voters are in favor of tax cuts,” Akers said, pointing to the culminating impact of several recent tax cuts.

While Akers said he had been “worried” about the state affording the 5 percent cut Justice originally proposed to the legislature, he supported the compromise.

“I think we took a measured approach,” Akers said. “We have a lot of stuff, like childcare, that need to be addressed. So in this upcoming session, I think we’re trying to be safe, but also trying to put as much money back in people’s pockets as we can.”

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