UPDATE: Divided W.Va. Senate Passes Discrimination Bill; School Bus Stop Bill Advances
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Updated: 10:20 PM Mar 13, 2009
UPDATE: Divided W.Va. Senate Passes Discrimination Bill; School Bus Stop Bill Advances
With less than a month left in this state Legislative session, West Virginia lawmakers have two very different focuses -- one is equal rights and the other protecting your children.
Posted: 4:23 PM Mar 13, 2009
Reporter: Associated Press; Amanda Barren
Email Address: anna.baxter@wsaz.com; amanda.barren@wsaz.com
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UPDATE from 6 p.m. Newscast
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- With less than a month left in this state Legislative session, West Virginia lawmakers have two very different focuses -- one is equal rights and the other protecting your children.

A Lincoln County family has lived with grief for more than a year after the death of Haven McCarthy. She was killed after she got off a school bus and was hit by a driver who didn't slow down for the bus's stop sign.

Haven's parents looked on as the Legislature advanced legislation to make penalties more severe for motorists who don't slow down in such cases. The bus stop bill will go the finance committee before the entire house takes a closer look.

Meanwhile, Republican efforts to derail a bill about equal employment and housing rights for gays failed and tempers flared. Lawmakers have a week from Monday to present bills to their colleagues.

For more information, click on the video link above.


CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) -- A divided state Senate has passed a bill that would ban discrimination in employment and housing because of sexual orientation.

Kanawha County Sen. Brooks McCabe, one of the bill's sponsors, says it's essentially an economic development bill that will help the state attract high-tech companies that currently operate in states where similar laws exist.

Senate Minority Leader Don Caruth, though, argues the bill is too broadly worded, since it includes heterosexuals along with gays and lesbians in its protections. The Mercer County Republican says that makes virtually everyone in the state members of a protected class.

Seven Republicans and three Democrats voted against the bill, which now goes to the House of Delegates.

Latest Comments

Posted by: John A. on Apr 1, 2009 at 07:58 AM

I hope that passing another law without funding the means to support total enforcement is not what we end up with. Bus drivers are being given another "responsibility" outside the bus. Funds for Aids on each bus who could monitor and escort would improve safety and create needed jobs. "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."
Posted by: Billy Bob on Mar 16, 2009 at 09:22 AM

I do not understand where the gay people think they have the right to make us show them special treatment. I guess this means every law that man has created has been shoved down their throats the way they are trying to shove their want to be laws down ours. If this happens, I think all married people should have more special treatment than we have now since society sees us as a step above gays. For example, since we are living the way God intended man and women to live (married) we should not be required to pay any taxes at all, just like a church. Apparently there are so many gay people to cause a law like this to get passed, they should have enough money to make up the difference when we charge them 20% more taxes for just being a pain in the rear. (no pun intended)
Posted by: mom of two -ky on Mar 15, 2009 at 12:39 PM

TO SAD :Separation of church and state is a political and legal doctrine that government and religious institutions are to be kept separate and independent from each other.[1] The term most often refers to the combination of two principles: secularity of government and freedom of religious exercise. For any one who knows history the church ruled and controlled all aspects of life, james madison, and thomas jefferson, felt that both the government and religious beliefs corrupted each other. How ever the government has violated this by with drawing the 10 comments from public places. I HOPE THAT HAVENS LAW PASSES PEOPLE NEEDS TO BE HELD RESPONSIBILE FOR KILLING AND HURTING OUR CHILDREN WHO ARE GETTIN ON AND OFF A SCHOOL BUS.
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