FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Saturday, March 18, 2023
CONTACT: Jordan Damron, [email protected]
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West Virginia Week in Review
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Gov. Justice signs four bills, including the budget bill and fourth state employee pay raise
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Gov. Jim Justice held a signing ceremony on Friday for four bills passed by the West Virginia Legislature, including:
- HB 2024: The Budget Bill
- SB 423: The State Employee Pay Raise
- SB 268: The PEIA Fix
- HB 3307: WV-Ireland Economic Development Commission
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Gov. Justice: State Tax Department releases revised tax withholding tables
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Gov. Justice announced earlier this week that the West Virginia State Tax Department has officially released new personal income tax withholding tables for the 2023 tax year. West Virginia employers should begin using the revised tables immediately.
“Starting on their next paycheck, all West Virginians will begin seeing real dollars in their pocket from the largest tax cut in our state’s history,” Gov. Justice said. “At my direction, our Tax Department wasted no time making these revisions, so that we can help our people struggling with inflation, and give them back their share of our state’s financial successes.”
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Gov. Justice signs SB 490, the Patrol Officer Cassie Marie Johnson Memorial Act
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Gov. Justice earlier this week added his signature to SB 490, the Patrol Officer Cassie Marie Johnson Memorial Act, creating stricter penalties for those who obstruct first responders, resulting in their death. It passed unanimously in both chambers.
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Gov. Justice signs HB 3302, recognizing an unborn child as distinct victim in a DUI causing death
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Gov. Justice earlier this week added his signature to HB 3302 to recognize an unborn child as a distinct victim in a DUI crashes that causes death. The bill passed unanimously in both chambers.
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Gov. Justice announces 2022 WV Big Buck Photo Contest winners
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Gov. Justice earlier this week announced the winners of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources' second annual Big Buck Photo Contest. The 20 youth and five adult winners were announced at a press conference at the State Capitol on Wednesday.
"I want to thank the DNR and everyone who submitted a picture," Gov. Justice said. "Each and every one of them was truly amazing. It's important that we encourage everyone, including our children, to go outside, learn about nature, and enjoy the outdoors, just like we did when I was young. It's an honor for me to contribute by promoting these great kids and adults who're taking advantage our beautiful outdoors. That's some really good stuff right there."
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Gov. Justice presents Rhododendron Award to Hurricane Philanthropist Brandi Jones
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Gov. Justice presented the latest Rhododendron Award earlier this week to Brandi Jones of Hurricane for her philanthropic work.
The Rhododendron Award, created by First Lady Cathy Justice, recognizes individuals in West Virginia who have demonstrated goodness and worked for the betterment of their communities. In particular, this award seeks to recognize the “unsung heroes” throughout West Virginia, whose work has made a significant difference in the lives of others.
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Gov. Justice signs bills to mandate suicide resources for students, increase retired teacher pay, and clarify deputy sheriff pay raise
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Gov. Justice signed HB 3218 that requires suicide prevention resources be printed on student identification cards throughout West Virginia.
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The Governor signed SB 237 into law, providing a one-time $1500 payment for retired teachers over 70 with 20 years of service, and their monthly retirement is less than $1,000.
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Gov. Justice also signed SB 294 into law, which clarifies the annual salary increase for a deputy sheriff in West Virginia. The bill, which passed unanimously and gives all deputy sheriffs a raise, hopefully attracts new men and women to the role.
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Gov. Justice announces approval of his petition for the designation of new HUBZones
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Gov. Justice announced that his petition for Boone, Clay, Hampshire, Monroe, and Preston Counties to be Governor-designated HUBZones has been approved by the U.S. Small Business Administration.
The Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) program gives participating small businesses access to exclusive federal contracting opportunities and preferential price evaluations when bidding on at-large federal contracts. West Virginia is one of the first 10 states to petition for expanding access to this program through Governor-designated HUBZones.
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Gov. Justice says state is cracking down on speeders traveling through work zones
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Gov. Justice informed the West Virginia Dept. of Transportation to crack down on speeders traveling through work zones on Interstate 64. Extra police patrols will be targeting speeders in the five-mile work zone between 29th Street in Huntington and the Huntington Mall.
Please be considerate of our hardworking crews.
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