Reporter Roundtable Talks Rolling Coal, Reproductive Rights, Jails, Health And More

On this episode of The Legislature Today, we have our weekly reporter roundtable. Randy Yohe is joined by WVPB reporter Briana Heaney and Ogden Newspapers’ State Government Reporter Steven Allen Adams to recap the week’s action.

In the House, there was a lengthy, heated and partisan debate over border security in a resolution to support the state of Texas. On the flipside, there was full bipartisan support for the House Speaker’s bill to help with groundbreaking, disease curing medical efforts at West Virginia University (WVU).

In the Senate, the chamber passed two rules bills – one is headed to the House for consideration, and the other is off to the governor’s desk. Another bill was held over for a day that deals with air quality. Briana Heaney has more.

Also, community and environmental groups testified Friday morning in a public hearing against House Bill 5018. The bill would limit how community air monitoring data could be used in court cases or to affect regulations. West Virginia’s industrial and mining trade groups support the bill, but most people spoke in opposition.

It was also Homeschool Day at the Capitol. With Hope Scholarship funding and a legislature and administration advocating more school choice, homeschooling is a growing endeavor – but not without some basic education and safety concerns.

Finally, for our weekly report from our high school journalists, they look at a couple bills that were of particular interest to them and to other high school and college-aged students around the state.

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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.