CHARLESTON, W.Va — Republicans in West Virginia’s House of Delegates want to create an intermediate appeals court, amend property tax laws and pursue other major changes after Tuesday’s general election nearly erased the Democrat’s 15-seat majority, House Minority Leader Tim Armstead said Wednesday.
The GOP’s 2013 agenda also will target regulations and public school bureaucracy, while revamping the way the state funds roads in part by tapping general tax revenues, the Kanawha County Republican told The Associated Press. He noted that Republican delegates have introduced such proposals during previous sessions, including this year’s.
“We’ve come up with creative ways to address these issues, but they’ve been blocked by the Democratic leadership,” said Armstead, who ran unopposed Tuesday. “We’re hoping that the leadership got the message that voters sent last night.”
But while the GOP surged in the House, Democrats remain firmly in control of the state Senate with 25 of 34 seats.
Voters also re-elected Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin.
“It isn’t necessarily a bellwether that the world has changed and that everything they advance will pass,” said Senate President Jeff Kessler, D-Marshall.
Republicans saw their share of delegates in the 100-member House swell from 35 to at least 44, according to unofficial results. They upset at least five incumbents.
Local News
Republicans make huge gains in W.Va. House
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City man’s love of baseball goes coast-to-coast
As an eight-year-old Pennsylvania Avenue kid, Kevin Ogle’s love for the game of baseball took him to every ballfield in South End for spontaneous pick-up games with neighborhood friends.
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Teachers slam McKay on letter remark
Teachers and a Board of Education member are challenging County Commissioner Michael McKay’s characterization of a letter he received from a teacher as an attack on his family.
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DelFest offers more than just bluegrass music
The sixth annual DelFest at the Allegany County Fairgrounds progressed into Saturday afternoon of the Memorial Day weekend and the weather warmed.
Cumberland got mighty cold Friday night as festivalgoers were bundled in scarves, gloves and hats to avoid the windy and chilly conditions. -
It’s high time for DelFest to fire up local economy
For the time being, I’m going to drop being a reporter covering DelFest for a moment and approach the community I grew up in and currently reside in from an opportunity perspective that shoots from the heart.
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Raises for 911 workers for next 3 years
County emergency dispatchers will see increases in pay for the next three years under a contract signed by workers and Allegany County Thursday evening.
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Some area pools set to open this weekend
The arrival of the Memorial Day weekend also means the unofficial start of the summer season — and a chance to go swimming at area pools.
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City’s historic Gordon-Roberts House appoints new director
Sharon Nealis, who retired Friday after 18 years as executive director of The Gordon-Roberts House on Washington Street, believes the enthusiasm and youth of her replacement will benefit the popular historical attraction.
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Oakland man, 32, charged in blaze at ex’s home
A joint investigation by the Office of the State Fire Marshal and the Garrett County Sheriff’s Office has resulted in the arrest of an Oakland man for allegedly setting fire to his ex-girlfriend’s home last Sunday.
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Two officer assaults prompt prison lockdown at Somerset
Serious assaults of two correctional officers in the last two weeks prompted a lockdown of the Somerset Correctional Institution for a second day Friday, according to Heidi Sroka, SCI public information officers and superintendent assistant.
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A senior moment
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