West Virginia Insurance Federation
c/o Dinsmore & Shohl, LLP
Jill Cranston Bentz
P.O. Box 11887
Charleston, WV 25301
304.357.9929
jill.bentz@dinsmore.com

News Room



Senator prefers texting as a primary offense

January 20, 2012

Outlawing cell phone texting by adult drivers as a primary traffic violation is more workable, and that is the direction he would like to take, says Senate Judiciary Chairman Corey Palumbo.

Study gives state C- for follow-up on job promises

January 19, 2012

West Virginia gets a grade of C- for the way it monitors, verifies, enforces and discloses the terms of taxpayer subsidies it gives to businesses that promise to create jobs, according to a new study.

Manchin to seek Senate re-election

January 19, 2012

Despite apparent frustration with the slow-moving, bitterly contentious Washington political machine, U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., said Wednesday he will seek re-election.

House lawmakers fix FOIA loophole

January 19, 2012

House lawmakers unanimously passed a fix to the state's Freedom of Information Act Wednesday following a failed attempt by Republicans to include far greater changes in the bill.

Miller appointed to House Finance Committee

January 19, 2012

West Virginia Delegate Carol Miller, R-Cabell, has been appointed to the House of Delegates' Finance Committee by House Speaker Rick Thompson.

Committee Selects Candidates

January 18, 2012

A four-member panel Tuesday night selected two Brooke County residents and one from Ohio County as the best candidates to represent the 2nd District in the West Virginia House of Delegates.

Texting ban would save lives, police say By Eric Eyre

January 18, 2012

Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin's legislation that bans drivers from text messaging and using cellphones would deter distracted driving and save lives, West Virginia State Police troopers told lawmakers Wednesday.

Texting While Driving Bill Hits Early Snag

January 18, 2012

The House of Delegates Transportation Committee Wednesday took up the plan to outlaw texting and talking on your cell phone while driving, but it quickly hit some roadblocks.

Delegate Tim Armstead wants improvements in FOIA

January 18, 2012

House Minority Leader Tim Armstead thinks a Freedom of Information Act bill before the chamber is solid legislation.

House passes public record law update, sends it to Senate

January 18, 2012

A document's content or context would help determine its release under West Virginia's Freedom of Information Act, under an update to the open government law unanimously passed Wednesday by the House of Delegates.

W.Va. unemployment rate increases in Dec.

January 18, 2012

West Virginia's unemployment rate rose to 7.7 percent in December, up from 7.1 percent in November.

High court soon may decide on stay in redistricting case

January 18, 2012

The U.S. Supreme Court may signal as soon as today how West Virginia officials ought to proceed with this year's congressional elections, according to those involved with the case.

Snuffer not seeking re-election

January 18, 2012

After one term in the Legislature, Delegate Rick Snuffer is calling it quits, saying his realigned district is too large for him to provide Raleigh County residents the representation they deserve, given his family obligations.

Race for House of Delegates heats up

January 18, 2012

The field of candidates for the West Virginia House of Delegates got a little more crowded Tuesday as three new candidates filed for the race.

Driver cellphone, texting ban should sail through, lawmakers say

January 17, 2012

West Virginia could soon join a growing number of states where it's illegal to send text messages or use a cellphone while driving.

W.Va. redistricting stay petition opposed

January 17, 2012

Foes of West Virginia's congressional redistricting plan are urging the U.S. Supreme Court not to block the ruling that struck it down.

News at 3:15 p.m.: W.Va. redistricting stay petition opposed

January 17, 2012

Foes of West Virginia's congressional redistricting plan are urging the U.S. Supreme Court not to block the ruling that struck it down.

Former Gov. Hulett C. Smith dies

January 16, 2012

Hulett Carlson Smith, West Virginia's governor from 1965 to 1969, whose term was marked by several disasters and the state's first attempt to regulate the strip mining industry, died on Sunday in Scottsdale, Ariz., at the age of 93.

Former W.Va. Gov. Hulett Smith dies at age 93

January 16, 2012

Hulett Smith, West Virginia's governor from 1965 to 1969, is being remembered as a good governor who guided the state during a turbulent time.

W.Va. Gov. Who Abolished Death Penalty Dies at 93

January 16, 2012

Former Gov. Hulett C. Smith, who signed West Virginia's first strip mining laws and the bill that abolished the state's death penalty, has died. He was 93.

Cabell Co. looks for ways to boost juror pools

January 16, 2012

Cabell County judicial officials are looking for ways to increase the number of people who respond to summonses for jury duty.

New U.S. House maps emerging

January 16, 2012

West Virginia lawmakers are considering new maps for the state's congressional districts, while the legal fight continues over the one struck down by a panel of federal judges this month as unconstitutional.

New Congressional Map Plans Emerge

January 16, 2012

West Virginia lawmakers are considering new maps for the state's congressional districts, while the legal fight continues over the one struck down by a panel of federal judges this month as unconstitutional.

New U.S. House maps emerging

January 16, 2012

West Virginia lawmakers are considering new maps for the state's congressional districts, while the legal fight continues over the one struck down by a panel of federal judges this month as unconstitutional.

New redistricting maps taking shape at Capitol

January 16, 2012

West Virginia lawmakers are considering new maps for the state's congressional districts, while the legal fight continues over the one struck down by a panel of federal judges this month as unconstitutional.

Congressional redistricting plan introduced produces grumbling

January 16, 2012

The first of at least three proposals for congressional redistricting was introduced in the state Senate on Monday -- prompting considerable consternation among some senators.

W.Va. ass't prosecutor appointed to House vacancy

January 16, 2012

A Mingo County assistant prosecutor is the newest member of the House of Delegates.

Mingo prosecutor appointed to House vacancy

January 16, 2012

A Mingo County assistant prosecutor is the newest member of the House of Delegates.

Editorial: Buying elections

January 16, 2012

A year ago, conservatives on the U.S. Supreme Court opened floodgates to let big-money special interests pump millions into political campaigns, to ensure election of their favorites.

Ferguson lobbied board on retirement issue that could benefit him

January 16, 2012

As a member of the state retirement board, Administration Secretary Robert Ferguson lobbied fellow board members to settle an ongoing state employee's dispute that could significantly affect Ferguson's own retirement pay, according to a letter obtained by the Gazette on Monday.

Reps mulling ban on texting while driving

January 15, 2012

Three bills have been introduced in the 2012 session of the West Virginia Legislature addressing growing concerns about the use of cell phones and texting while driving a motor vehicle.

New U.S. House maps emerge in W.Va. Legislature

January 15, 2012

West Virginia lawmakers are considering new maps for the state's congressional districts, while the legal fight continues over the one struck down by a panel of federal judges this month as unconstitutional.

Tom Miller: Tomblin's proposals for state well received, if light on details

January 15, 2012

In his first State of the State address since moving from the unusual role of acting governor to elected chief executive, Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin proved he's already mastered the art of offering tantalizing, appealing new proposals to move West Virginia forward that are short on details. But he still needs work on his public speaking delivery.

Lawmakers, health agency join forces

January 14, 2012

While legislators tackle various health issues, Delegate Meshea Poore, D-Kanawha, wants to ensure the lawmakers themselves are also healthy.

Perfect plan revisited

January 14, 2012

Senate Majority Leader John Unger, D-Berkeley, says he's building consensus in the Legislature for his "practically perfect plan" for congressional redistricting -- actually, he calls it the "more perfect plan," but I prefer the "Mary Poppins" allusion.

WVU Hospitals to outline expansion plans today

January 13, 2012

Officials with WVU Hospitals will soon offer more detail about their plans for a $248 million expansion project that will involve several facilities

Lawsuit against insurer moved to federal court

January 13, 2012

lawsuit accusing an insurer and an auto body shop of illegally using junkyard parts to repair vehicles has been moved to federal court.

House Finance Committee gets FY 2013 forecast

January 13, 2012

Mining and exports are the driving factors in West Virginia’s revenue situation for the next fiscal year. The fiscal forecast was presented to the House Finance Committee Thursday morning.

Delegate district map ruled faulty

January 13, 2012

The Jefferson County Clerk's Office was notified earlier this week by state officials of a mistake on the county's final House of Delegates redistricting map, according to Jefferson County Clerk Jennifer Maghan.

Guthrie, Mahan pleased with backing on proposed texting ban

January 13, 2012

For the past few legislative sessions, Delegate Nancy Guthrie has been on a mission to take cell phones out of the hands of motorists.

Highways chief floats road bond issue

January 13, 2012

West Virginia Transportation Secretary Paul Mattox wants state voters to consider authorizing a $1 billion to $1.5 billion road bond that could finish 17 different projects statewide, including a new, toll-free U.S. 35.

News at 5:15 p.m.: W.Va. lawmakers weigh $1B bond for road needs

January 12, 2012

West Virginia voters may be asked to approve the borrowing of at least $1 billion for state roads.

Lawmakers weigh $1B bond for roads

January 12, 2012

West Virginia could complete 19 shelved road and bridge projects all around the state if voters approve a bond amendment to borrow $1 billion, Transportation Secretary Paul Mattox told legislators Thursday.

Raese files to run for Senate

January 12, 2012

For the second time in less than 18 months, Morgantown businessman John Raese has filed to run for U.S. Senate.

Redistricting plan gets reprieve, but hitch still exists

January 11, 2012

West Virginia lawmakers don't have to come up with a new U.S. House redistricting plan by next week, but the state is now in a no man's land for the 2012 congressional elections.

Redistricting deadline lifted

January 11, 2012

West Virginia officials no longer face a Jan. 17 deadline to submit a new congressional redistricting plan, but they also cannot conduct this year's three U.S. House races with the map that was struck down last week as unconstitutional, the federal judges who issued that decision said Tuesday.

Tomblin to Chamber: No new taxes

January 10, 2012

Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin promised no new taxes and minimal growth of government in next year's budget during a state Chamber of Commerce event in Charleston Tuesday night.

W.Va. investment assets’ value down 4.4 percent

January 10, 2012

Since July, assets managed by the state Investment Management Board are down about 4.4 percent, or about $436.7 million, Executive Director Craig Slaughter told lawmakers on Tuesday.

W.Va. redistricting deadline lifted, but election calendar looms

January 10, 2012

West Virginia officials no longer face a Jan. 17 deadline to submit a new congressional redistricting plan, but they also cannot conduct this year's three U.S. House races with the map that was struck down last week as unconstitutional, the federal judges who issued that decision said Tuesday.

Tomblin's second State of the State to be first as governor

January 10, 2012

In a rare quirk of history, Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin will be giving his second State of the State address to a joint session of the Legislature this evening -- but it will be his first as governor.

WV Secretary of State discusses election filing period

January 10, 2012

Republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney and several statewide incumbents are among the candidates filing for West Virginia's ballot this year.

Teacher pay raise sought

January 10, 2012

A year after public school teachers got pay raises, West Virginia’s largest educators’ group is calling for another one.

West Virginia lieutenant governor: Legislators consider new post

January 10, 2012

Hoping to avoid the legal battles and election costs that haunted West Virginia only a year ago, lawmakers took the first step Monday in creating the post of lieutenant governor.

W.Va. judge warns he may toss DuPont lawsuits

January 9, 2012

Fourteen families who blame ailments ranging from rashes to cancer on long-term exposure to a former DuPont zinc-smelting plant have until March 15 to produce new evidence or risk seeing the case thrown out.

Lawmakers ready for session

January 9, 2012

State lawmakers are getting prepared to take on a number of issues as the West Virginia Legislature convenes this week for its regular session.

Focus on coal, drugs, jobs

January 9, 2012

Protecting coal miners and the coal industry from EPA regulations are two of the major goals Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin will be asking the West Virginia Legislature to address during the 2012 legislative session.

Audit arrives on eve of session

January 9, 2012

A wide-ranging review of West Virginia's public school system has arrived just as lawmakers prepare to launch their regular session for 2012.

Legislature needs to improve the state’s margin of error

January 9, 2012

West Virginia state government financial analysts have a good record for accuracy — but as legislative leaders recognize, it needs to be improved.

W.Va. lawmakers holding off on Coopers Rock change

January 8, 2012

It may be another year before West Virginia lawmakers consider changing the oversight of Coopers Rock State Forest.

Candidate filing period starts Monday

January 8, 2012

It's time for West Virginians to add their names to what will be a packed 2012 ballot.

State candidate filing period begins today

January 8, 2012

It’s time for West Virginians to add their names to what will be a packed 2012 ballot.

Lawmakers get look at education audit

January 8, 2012

A wide-ranging review of West Virginia's public school system has arrived just as lawmakers prepare to launch their regular session for 2012.

Tom Miller: Redistricting a pressing problem for Legislature

January 7, 2012

The West Virginia Legislature's first order of business at the 60-day regular 2012 session beginning Wednesday in Charleston is now obvious, thanks to a 2-1 decision by a three-judge federal panel last week.

Don’t Keep Burdening Businesses

January 7, 2012

It's entirely possible West Virginians could have had a noticeable income tax break by 2016 - except for the sins of state officials in the past. Remember that when you do your state income tax returns for the next couple of decades.

Audit of education system is released

January 7, 2012

A sweeping review of West Virginia’s public schools released Friday offers scores of recommendations that its authors say can improve lagging student performance and save about $70 million a year statewide.

Redistricting big topic at legislative discussion

January 6, 2012

Don't expect West Virginia's legislators to allow a federal court to determine the state's congressional districts.

West Virginia K-12 audit results released

January 6, 2012

A sweeping review of West Virginia's public schools released Friday offers scores of recommendations its authors say can improve lagging student performance and save about $70 million a year statewide.



News Archives: 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012

Copyright © West Virginia Insurance Federation | Website Development by NAMIC Web Services