Tag: Local Government

Huntington, Morgantown Again Top Cities On LGBTQ Equality Index

Charleston came close, at 92. All three cities were recognized by the organization as “all stars” with at least an 85.

For the third year in a row, Huntington and Morgantown scored a perfect 100 on the Human Rights Campaign’s municipal equality index.

Charleston came close at 92. All three cities were recognized by the organization as “all stars” with at least an 85. West Virginia is one of 20 states that lack statewide protections against discrimination for sexual orientation and gender identity.

The Human Rights Campaign is a national LGBTQ rights organization based in Washington, D.C.

Out of more than 500 cities the organization scored, 129 received a perfect score. The average among all cities was 71, up from 69 last year and 67 in 2021. Only five cities scored a zero.

In West Virginia, Wheeling scored a 76. Charles Town got a 45 and Lewisburg a 43. Parkersburg scored 13.

The index considers local anti-discrimination laws, the municipality as an employer, law enforcement and local leadership on LGBTQ issues.

Raleigh Assessor, Harrison Commissioner Face Ethics Fines

Two county officials face fines for state ethics violations.The Ethics Commission announced actions Thursday against Raleigh County Assessor Drema…

Two county officials face fines for state ethics violations.

The Ethics Commission announced actions Thursday against Raleigh County Assessor Drema Bias-Evans and Harrison County Commissioner Bernie Fazzini.

Bias-Evans is fined $7,500 for interviewing and recommending her son for a job in 2010. The order says she gave her son and grandson raises more often than some other office employees.

Bias-Evans can’t oversee employment decisions and supervision for her son and grandson.

It says she let employees travel to and from Beckley and Charleston in county cars to get Christmas gifts for children of unemployed Raleigh County coal miners.

Fazzini is fined $3,500 after twice requesting the same $3,100 reimbursement for a Portland work trip. He already returned $3,100.

He must repay $300 for reimbursed personal costs and other reimbursement errors.

Number of W.Va. Cities Seeking Home Rule Grows

The number of cities seeking to participate in West Virginia's Municipal Home Rule Program is growing.WDTV reports that Shinnston City Council voted…

 The number of cities seeking to participate in West Virginia’s Municipal Home Rule Program is growing.

WDTV reports that Shinnston City Council voted Monday to allow the city to submit an application to the Home Rule Board.

Last week, city councils in Martinsburg and Nitro approved similar ordinances. Other cities seeking participation in the program include Bluefield, Clarksburg, Fairmont, Morgantown, Buckhannon and Elkins.

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.

In 2013, the Legislature continued the program until July 1, 2019, and allowed up to 20 municipalities to participate.

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