This week, people continue to resist the Mountain Valley Pipeline. Some folks have complained to the company about noise from compressor stations. Also, why is Appalachia so prone to severe flooding? We spoke with a reporter whose team dug into the data to find out. And, a good blanket will keep you warm on a cold night, but a handmade temperature blanket can convey a message to a loved one.
House Bill 4001 was introduced on the first day of the session as the False Claims Act. However, opponents of the bill referred to it as the “sue-and-settle” bill.
The bill offers monetary compensation to whistleblowers who bring forward information regarding fraudulent claims made against the government. That is, if the case is successful.
Supporters of the bill claimed it would provide taxpayers protection from fraud while opponents claimed that it would only provide lawyers with plaintiffs.
The bill was approved by the Judiciary Committee twice as the bill was sent back after concerns from the business community arose.
On the House floor, debate began with delegates speaking both for and against the bill.
Delegate Paul Espinosa opposed the bill despite the changes because of the problems he felt it would cause.
“It’s still the same proposal that would make it more difficult if not impossible for small companies to do business in the state,” Espinosa said. “It’s still the same proposal that allows an accuser to peruse a newly created cause of action without first exhausting administrative remedies.”
Delegate Manchin supported the bill because they felt the success in other states could be translated to West Virginia.
“We have not had one of these states repeal their bill,” Manchin said. “If it were costing them more money than they are taking in, wouldn’t somebody have repealed it by now? Doesn’t that tell us its working?”
In the end, the majority determined the risks of the bill outweighed the reward as the bill was rejected by a vote of 42-55.
On this episode of The Legislature Today, we sit down with House Speaker Roger Hanshaw, R-Clay, to discuss how he sees things are going this legislative session.
This week, people continue to resist the Mountain Valley Pipeline. Some folks have complained to the company about noise from compressor stations. Also, why is Appalachia so prone to severe flooding? We spoke with a reporter whose team dug into the data to find out. And, a good blanket will keep you warm on a cold night, but a handmade temperature blanket can convey a message to a loved one.
Over the last several years, catastrophic floods have washed out parts of eastern Kentucky and southern West Virginia, as well as North Carolina, Virginia and Tennessee. Why are the mountains getting so much flooding? And what do frequent major storms mean for the future? Inside Appalachia host Mason Adams spoke with Brady Dennis with The Washington Post. He and a team of journalists investigated those questions.
At least 95% of people in state prisons will one day be released — but success after incarceration is far from guaranteed. This encore episode of Us & Them examines the challenges of re-entry and why recognizing trauma may be essential to breaking cycles of incarceration.
