WSAZ Politics | Election & Political Coverage for West Virginia, Ohio, & Kentucky

BREAKING NEWS: AP:Sarah Palin Resigning as Governor this Month
Last Updated: 4:23 PM 07/03/09 - Spokesman: Sarah Palin is resigning as Alaska governor on July 26. Click for Full Story

Ohio Governor Strickland Addresses Budget Situation

Last Updated: 2:22 PM 07/02/09 - Ohio Governor Ted Strickland discussed the state's budget issues at an afternoon news conference. - (Full Story)

Ohio Lawmakers Approve Temporary Budget

Last Updated: 2:30 PM 06/30/09 - Lawmakers have approved the first temporary budget in almost two decades as they struggle to balance Ohio's $54 billion budget. - (Full Story)

	Ohio Lawmakers Expected to Vote on Interim Budget, Slot Machines Last Updated: 11:44 AM 06/29/09 - State lawmakers are expected to vote on a temporary budget as they remain at an impasse over a proposal that would legalize slot machines at seven horse racetracks. (Full Story)
	Kentucky Special Session Wrapped Up Wednesday Last Updated: 6:54 PM 06/24/09 - Kentucky lawmakers have given final approval to a plan to erase a $1 billion budget shortfall brought on by the ailing economy. (Full Story)
	UPDATE: Former WV Delegate Pleads Not Guilty; August Trial Set Last Updated: 4:32 PM 06/23/09 - Former Logan County Delegate Joe C. Ferrell faces 48 counts, including racketeering and vote-buying.WEB EXTRA: Read the 56 page indictment attached to our story. (Full Story)
	Gambling Measure Fails in Kentucky Last Updated: 9:52 PM 06/22/09 - The Senate Appropriations and Revenue Committee rejected the measure on Monday. (Full Story)
	UPDATE: Byrd Resuming Some Duties, Still in Hospital Last Updated: 5:47 PM 06/22/09 - Members of Senator Robert C. Byrd's staff announced in a news release Monday afternoon that the Senator has resumed some official duties, while undergoing physical therapy for a staph infection. (Full Story)
	Ohio Governor Changes Course on Gambling Last Updated: 5:03 PM 06/19/09 - After years of opposition to the expansion of gambling, Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland has announced a plan for slots machines at seven horse racing tracks as a way to help balance the budget. (Full Story)
	Gambling Bill Passes KY House, Now Heads to Senate Last Updated: 2:28 PM 06/19/09 - House lawmakers have approved legislation that would expand gambling opportunities at Kentucky horse tracks. (Full Story)
	Group From Southern West Virginia Heading to D.C. to Testify About Coal Last Updated: 6:56 PM 06/19/09 - The Director of Citizens for Coal in Logan County says when it comes to the future of coal, he "feels good." (Full Story)
	W.Va. Governor Calls Byrd Speculation Callous Last Updated: 8:22 AM 06/18/09 - Much has been made of a recent conference call West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin had with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. (Full Story)
	Lawmakers Exit Charleston, Adding an Extra $39 Million to Budget Last Updated: 1:51 PM 06/17/09 - The House of Delegates on Wednesday approved all six supplemental appropriation bills proposed by Gov. Joe Manchin and unanimously passed by the Senate on Monday. (Full Story)
	UPDATE: W.Va. Postpones Decision Involving Indicted Ex-Pol's Lotto Machines Last Updated: 1:24 PM 06/17/09 - Joe C. Ferrell is accused of using his Southern Amusement Co. to run an illegal gambling racket in both West Virginia and Kentucky. (Full Story)
	UPDATE: Coin Toss Decides Hartford Council Member Last Updated: 11:10 PM 06/18/09 - The town of Hartford has a new council member. And the winner was determined by the flip of a coin. (Full Story)
	Rockefeller Wants Clarification on Information Security Last Updated: 7:19 AM 06/18/09 - The West Virginia Democrat has introduced legislation stating that the federal Sensitive Security Information classification can't be used to withhold information that isn't explicitly covered in its statutes. (Full Story)
	Canvass Changes Winner of Fort Gay Recorder Race Last Updated: 11:11 AM 06/16/09 - One vote really does matter, just ask the two candidates for Fort Gay, W.Va. Recorder. (Full Story)
	Retired US Supreme Court Justice to Study W.Va.'s Court System Last Updated: 3:56 PM 06/15/09 - Sandra Day O'Connor has mentioned the influx of money into West Virginia's court system in public speeches. Now, the retired United States Supreme Court Justice will be the honorary chairwoman of a commission to study the state's court system. (Full Story)
More Headlines...

Manchin Signs Autism Bill
Last Updated: 1:41 PM 07/01/09 - W.Va. Governor Joe Manchin has signed into law a measure that can help secure the future of children with autism.
(Full Story)

W.Va. Governor Signs 10 Bills from Recent Sessions

Last Updated: 11:17 AM 06/17/09 - Gov. Joe Manchin has signed a diverse range of 10 bills into law, touching on everything from alternative energy sources to extra help for third and eighth grade students. (Full Story)

Lawmakers Return to Charleston Monday, Gov. Proposes 19 Items
Last Updated: 5:07 AM 06/14/09 - West Virginia Lawmakers wrapped up their special session in early June, but it's back to work on Monday. The legislature will return for an extraordinary session.
(Full Story)

Manchin Says Special Session Was Impressive Show of Consensus

Last Updated: 5:27 PM 06/04/09 - After the disappointment of the regular session, which ended in April with more than half his bills failing to pass, Manchin wanted to bring both houses of the Legislature together to work quickly during the special term. (Full Story)

PEIA to Hold Four Public Hearings Before Benefit Vote

Last Updated: 5:30 PM 06/04/09 - The finance board of the Public Employees Insurance Agency voted earlier to stop subsidizing retirement premiums with future public hires. (Full Story)

Lawmaker Vows Protest if W.Va. Turnpike Tolls Go Up

Last Updated: 8:21 AM 06/03/09 - A southern West Virginia lawmaker says he's willing to go jail to stop a proposed toll increase on the West Virginia Turnpike. He's calling on other opponents to join him. (Full Story)

Eleven Bills on W.Va. Special Session Agenda

Last Updated: 10:55 PM 05/29/09 - Taxes and education are among those topics that will be discussed at next week's session. (Full Story)

Sunday Vote Set on W.Va. Budget

Last Updated: 4:34 PM 05/29/09 - The budget takes effect July 1. The compromise includes $4.2 billion in spending backed by general tax and lottery revenues. (Full Story)

Help for Low-Income Neighborhoods

Last Updated: 10:20 PM 05/28/09 - West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin signed a bill Thursday making it easier to use the money on low-income neighborhoods. (Full Story)

State Report: Doctors in W.Va. Cash in on Gifts from Drug Manufacturers

Last Updated: 9:00 PM 05/28/09 - The value of the gifts ranged from $100 to roughly $127,000, although the vast majority were below $2,500. (Full Story)

W.Va. Budget Deal Expected Friday

Last Updated: 8:55 PM 05/28/09 - The House-Senate committee appointed to negotiate a final spending measure expects to have one by late Friday. (Full Story)

W.Va. DEP Issues Moratorium on Coal Slurry into Mines

Last Updated: 8:53 PM 05/28/09 - The agency says the practice won't be allowed at any new sites,
despite a study sent to the Legislature Thursday that finds no
evidence slurry injection alone affects surface water quality. (Full Story)

W.Va. to Start Probing Accidents Involving State Vehicles

Last Updated: 11:03 AM 05/28/09 - The audit says 19 Alcohol Beverage Control Administration employees were involved in 23 accidents over the past five years. (Full Story)

W.Va. Special Session Underway

Last Updated: 8:26 AM 05/27/09 - West Virginia lawmakers are back in Charleston for a special session. (Full Story)

W.Va. Legislature Back to Work

Last Updated: 8:40 AM 05/26/09 - The House and Senate return Tuesday to amend and pass the multibillion-dollar spending plan that takes effect July 1. (Full Story)

Metro Gov't Bill Latest Flaw-Related Veto Victim

Last Updated: 4:10 PM 05/11/09 - Yet another error has triggered a veto of legislation passed this session, this time for a measure addressing metro government. (Full Story)

W.Va. Losing Money with Complicated Computer Setup

Last Updated: 9:00 AM 05/11/09 - State officials are looking for a way to consolidate a hodgepodge of computer software used by agencies into one system.
(Full Story)

Manchin Vetoes Three Bills

Last Updated: 2:17 PM 05/06/09 - The governor says the technical errors are easy to fix. His veto
messages encourage lawmakers to revisit the false filing and mental
health measures when they return later this month. (Full Story)

Manchin Touts Accomplishments of '09 Session

Last Updated: 7:16 AM 04/14/09 - Governor Manchin cited bills shoring up unemployment compensation, requiring the swift reporting of industrial accidents, and preventing public officials from collecting pensions and salary at the same time. (Full Story)

No "In God We Trust" License Plate for Now in W.Va.

Last Updated: 11:11 PM 04/11/09 - House Roads and Transportation Chairman Dale Martin said the plate was contained in a piece of legislation that became too cumbersome to handle. (Full Story)

Back to Square One for Huntington's Pension Problem

Last Updated: 7:33 PM 04/10/09 - City leaders will push lawmakers to address this issue in its budget session next month. (Full Story)

More Headlines...

2009 Municipal Election Results

	On the Go Access our site from any mobile device, text alerts.
	e-News Get daily headlines e-mail & breaking news alerts.
	RSS Feeds Add WSAZ.com news to your RSS reader.
	Weather Alerts Sign up for severe weather alerts.

Facebook

Twitter

MySpace

Most Popular Political Stories
1.	Obama Called Out for Comments About Bankrupting Coal Fired Power Plants
2.	Capito on Independence Day Events
3.	Tax Rebates for Senior Citizens
4.	Rockefeller on Mustang Survival
5.	Wilson on New Federal Student Loan Benefits
6.	Rockefeller on Soldiers and Veterans During 4th of July
7.	Rockefeller Nominates William Shuman for US Air Force Academy
8.	Calorie Bill Changed to Favor Former Senator's Business
9.	Wilson on Recovery Zone Bonds Program
10.	Back to Square One for Huntington's Pension Problem

Palin to resign as Alaska governor
Sarah Palin announced Friday she plans to resign as governor of Alaska in a few weeks, saying she will try to "affect positive change" from outside government.
Palin prepping for a run for president?
Sarah Palin's announcement that she's stepping down as Alaska's governor could be a sign that she's gearing up for a run at the presidency in 2012, Howard Fineman writes.
Obama delays release of CIA report
The Obama administration said Thursday that it needs two more months to review an internal CIA report on the agency's secret detention and interrogation program before making it public.
Obama talks Russia, Sotomayor, jobs, Jackson
Before departing for the holiday weekend, President Barack Obama sat down with The Associated Press, talking Russia (Putin "still has a lot of sway"), joblessness (he's "deeply concerned"), and Michael Jackson (he's got the late singer's songs on his iPod).
NSA to help watch feds' civilian networks
A Bush-era plan to use National Security Agency help in screening government computer traffic on private-sector networks is proceeding, according to current and former government officials.

	Healthy Tri-State Live a healthier lifestyle in 2009
	SOMC Very good things are happening here
	Moms4Moms By moms, for moms
	WV Lottery Nightly drawings and numbers
	Big Sandy For all your furniture and appliance needs