2012 Eastern Panhandle Report #3

Participating in the Eastern Panhandle Legislative Caucus this morning were Delegates Larry D. Kump, Jonathan Miller, Tiffany Lawrence, Ruth Rowan, Eric Householder, Walter Duke, Daryl Cowles, John Overington, Gary Howell, and Senator Herb Snyder.
Martinsburg Mayor George Karos and Martinsburg City Manager Mark Baldwin also attended the caucus meeting.
On behalf of the West Virginia Municipal League, Mark Baldwin asked the caucus to support legislation to do an in-depth study of West Virginia's property tax.
Excepting the "common ground" areas within homeowners associations from property taxes also was discussed. Legislation to further study and reform laws regarding homeowners associations is being drafted.
Mayor Karos expressed support for increased "real-time" reporting by pharmacies of sudafed sales. (Note: This proposal would not require a prescription to purchase sudafed.)
The ongoing development of the West Virginia "State Rail Plan" in regard to the Maryland Area Regional Commuter (MARC) was discussed.
SB 362, to provide funding for Cacapon State Park, is expected to receive a favorable Senate Committee report.

SB 347, to use some of the property transfer tax income to help fund Regional Jail costs, was discussed.
Legislation to provide more property tax relief for senior citizens and the disabled is in the process of being drafted.
Legislation to increase the number of state police and increase state police civilian salaries also is being drafted.

2012 Eastern Panhandle Report #1

The Eastern Panhandle Legislator Caucus met at the State Capitol on Monday, January 16th.
Participating were Delegates Larry D. Kump, John Overington, Daryl Cowles, Walter Duke, Eric Householder, Jonathan Miller, and Tiffany Lawrence.
Issues discussed included increasing "Homestead" or other tax credits for senior citizens and the disabled, Eastern Panhandle conservation concerns, Maryland Area Regional Commuter (MARC) problems,
Bar closing hours, Chesapeake Bay Watershed concerns, Locality pay for Eastern Panhandle employees, Improving Rt. 9 west of Martinsburg and other road issues, Homeowner association concerns, State Police issues, and the term of office for Water & Sewer boards.

2nd & 10th Amendments Based Proposal

It pleases me to be a proud sponsor of HB 2705.
If passed into law, HB 2705 would exempt West Virginia from federal regulation (under the Commerce Clause of the Constitution of the United States) of firearms, firearms accessories, or firearm ammunition manufactured and retained in West Virginia.
All firearms regulation under the above circumstances would be under West Virginia law, as guaranteed by the 2nd and 10th amendments of the United States Constitution.

West Virginia Legislative Preview

Click on the link below to read this news story:

http://www.journal-news.net/page/content.detail/id/573248/Local-lawmakers-talk-about-redistricting--OPEB--prison-overcrowding--drug-abuse.html?nav=5006#.TwhkeLJRa0I.email