Tag: Motorsports

Education-Focused Reporter Roundtable Talks Charter School Funding, Teacher Shortage

On this episode of The Legislature Today, we have another Friday reporter roundtable. WVPB reporters Chris Schulz and Randy Yohe are joined this week by Mountain State Spotlight’s Ian Karbal to discuss bills proposed to give more money to charter schools and study alternative school schedules to help districts without enough teachers. 

On this episode of The Legislature Today, we have another Friday reporter roundtable. WVPB reporters Chris Schulz and Randy Yohe are joined this week by Mountain State Spotlight’s Ian Karbal to discuss bills proposed to give more money to charter schools and study alternative school schedules to help districts without enough teachers. 

Also, the Senate once again turned its focus on the state’s health systems today by passing two bills, including one to expand their own oversight capabilities.

We also take a look at a public hearing in the House where speakers came to express their feelings on House Bill 3042. Officially, the purpose of this bill is to forbid excessive government limitations on exercise of religion and creates the Equal Protection for Religion Act. Members of the LGBTQ community are concerned the bill may be used to undo fairness protections.

Finally, it was Motorsports Day at the legislature. Enthusiasts from around the state, who race on four wheels or two came to promote their racetracks and ask lawmakers to enhance their speed driven industry. Randy Yohe has our story.

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The Legislature Today is West Virginia’s only television/radio simulcast devoted to covering the state’s 60-day regular legislative session.

Watch or listen to new episodes Monday through Friday at 6 p.m. on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

Adventure Travel Day At The Capitol Includes E-bikes

On Adventure Travel Day at the West Virginia Legislature, on and off road enthusiasts touted some mean machines on two wheels and four – and some, not so mean.

On Adventure Travel Day at the West Virginia Legislature, on and off road enthusiasts touted some mean machines on two wheels and four – and some, not so mean. 

West Virginia adventure travel displays were not limited to inside the capitol rotunda. Outside the governor’s office, a row of high end road warrior vehicles formed a formidable, impromptu parking lot. A few came complete with attachable camping gear. 

Inside, adventure travel outfits included a variety of Hatfield-McCoy and other ATV trail runs, rides and accessories. The New River Jet Boats drew interest, as did the Court Roads Jeep Club and the 132-mile Hellbender Motorsports roadway run. 

McDowell County’s “Head of the Dragon” motorcycle and sports car ride was organized to help bring economic development to the coalfields. 

And the veteran driven Mission 22 display offered a road or trail ride to any former or current serviceman or woman who wants to hit the hills.

But the wheels getting the most traction running through state legislation right now come with the smallest engine here, and it’s not even gas powered. We’re talking about electric bikes, or e-bikes.

Joseph Overbaugh is the chief operating officer of Fission Cycles just outside Parkersburg. He is also the author of House Bill 2062, which just passed the House and is now in the Senate. It’s meant to align state e-bike laws with federal laws. The measure allows the most popular e-bikes made to be ridden in all of West Virginia’s state parks. 

Overbaugh said over the past five years, electric-bike popularity has skyrocketed.  

“One of the main drivers was actually COVID-19,” Overbaugh said. “After the lockdown and everyone got stuck at home, people started to look for ways to get out and do outdoor activities and social distance. The e-bike market just exploded as an opportunity for people to get out to exercise and social distance.”

State parks representatives who were set up at Adventure Travel Day said they were all in favor of opening up the parks to e-bikes.

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