This week, too often, people with mental health challenges or substance use disorder wind up in jail. But crisis response teams offer another way. Also, changes to the Endangered Species Act could benefit big business. They could also kill animals like the eastern hellbender. And, in troubled times, a West Virginia writer says to find peace in nature.
Reporter Roundtable Looks Ahead To Final 3 Weeks Of Session
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On this episode of The Legislature Today, we have our weekly reporter roundtable. Brad McElhinny from West Virginia MetroNews joins Randy Yohe and Curtis Tate in the studio to discuss what’s going on in the West Virginia Legislature and what they expect to see in the final weeks.
Also, there are just three weeks left in the 2024 state legislative session. The pace is picking up, and the respective Finance committees in the House and Senate have been working on a state budget.
In the House, a contentious bill regarding schools, libraries and obscene material went to third reading – meaning the voting stage. Randy Yohe has the story.
In the Senate, the chamber passed quieter bills. The chamber approved 11 bills and sent them to the House for consideration. The Senate also advanced more than 20 other bills, seven of which are House bills, and there was emotional debate around a resolution.
Also, surrogacy is legal in West Virginia, and a Senate bill aims to add legal structure to the process. Emily Rice has more.
Finally, our student reporters this week took a look at several environmental bills moving through the legislature. We check in with them.
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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.
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