Work Stoppage Continued into Sixth Day, All Schools Closed Again Friday

On The Legislature Today, protesting teachers returned to the Capitol, ignoring their union leadership and extending a work stoppage for a fifth day statewide. Acting on a revised revenue forecast from Gov. Jim Justice, the House of Delegates moved swiftly Wednesday night to pass a new 5 percent pay raise package for teachers, service personnel and state police, with raises for additional state employees to be addressed in the budget bill. But a fix for PEIA is still the issue.

Before the Senate assigned the pay raise bill to its Finance Committee, Senate President Mitch Carmichael expressed his skepticism of the governor’s revised revenue estimates and said he thinks it needs more review. At the very end of Thursday’s Senate floor session, Finance Chair Craig Blair, R- Berkeley, spoke saying his committee would not meet Thursday.

Host Andrea Lannom is joined by Sen. Minority Leader Roman Prezioso to discuss these issues. West Virginia Public Broadcasting also invited Senate Majority Leader Ryan Ferns to the program, but he had a scheduling conflict.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9wLms8Et1Y

Also, in this episode, we see the latest from the work stoppage. Thousands of teachers were again at the capitol. Videographer Daniel Walker brings us a look from the Capitol’s marble halls.

We also hear from Anne Barth, Executive Director of TechConnect West Virginia. Several of the state’s businesses and entrepreneurs showcased opportunities and new ideas as part of Innovation and Entrepreneurship Day at the Capitol. The event was organized by West Virginia University’s TransTech Energy Research and Business Development Program and TechConnect West Virginia.

The Legislature Today is West Virginia’s source for daily legislative news and information. The only live television program covering the West Virginia Legislature, the broadcast features reports from the Senate, House and committee meetings with in-depth interviews and analysis of the legislative process in West Virginia.

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