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MOUNTAIN STATE WRAP - Midnight Hour Government, Unconstitutional Bonds, Foreign Water Wants Record Increase |
| (03/12/2003) |
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POLYTICKS WEST VIRGINNY STYLE - The 76th Legislature passed 265 bills - 181 bills during the final hours
Saturday night of the 60-day session. The system of last minute passage is a tradition in Charleston. Government watchers
say the confusion and intensity makes it difficult to realize what is happening, and bills often pass without legislators knowning
the content. It was a great West Virginia legislative session for special interests. Doctors, insurance companies, coal-haulers and ATV dealers got some goodies. It wasn't such a good session for ordinary West Virginians. The Legislature went ahead with the unprecedented and unconstitutional sale of $3.99 billion in bonds to cover a $5 billion unfunded liability in state retirement funds. The constitution mandates voter approval of debt. Legislative leaders wiggled around the law, rather that putting the issue to a vote as the constitution requires. AT&T CUTTING CHARLESTON JOBS - Ninety-nine employees of the AT&T Call Servicing Center in downtown Charleston will be losing their jobs in June, according to their union. Employees were shocked Tuesday afternoon when they heard the news. AT&T said the company had "surplus people." GERMAN-OWNED WV WATER COMPANY WANTS 16.4% RAISE - West Virginia-American Water, the states largest water company, says inflation and security costs after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks must be made up. They are asking for a record 16.4% increase that would net $15.5 million more a year. The rate increase would go into effect in January 2004 the earliest date allowed under terms of the sale of the water company's parent to RWE, the new owners of the company from Germany. The full 16.4 percent increase would raise the current bill of $36.23 per month of a typical residential customer to as much as $42.17 a month. The states water customers are paying among the highest rates in America. Kanawha County Commissioner Kent Carper said "I consider it greedy, grabby and obscene," Carper said. "I'm going to fight the increase. I want the County Commission to take a firm position on this." WINTER PUTS STRAIN ON WVDOH -The severe winter weather has put a strain on the Division of Highways' financial resources. "We know the problem is serious," said gubernatorial assistant Keith Burdette. The winter is expected to cost DOH about $66 million. CLENDENIN MAY GO BANKRUPT - The town of Clendenin is facing bankruptcy after Kanawha County commissioners refused to give the Elk River community another financial shot. Two of the town's six police officers will be laid off. in two weeks. The officials learned in November that Clendenin owed about $70,000 in unpaid state and federal taxes.
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