State Feed: West Virginia

Citizens' Rights Safe in Many States as State Legislatures End Sessions

Tue, 18 May 2010 14:23:59 -0400

Of the 45 states whose legislatures hold sessions in 2010, 27 of them have adjourned for the year, and 5 more will wrap up before the end of the month. Of the more than 80 bills dealing with the initiative and referendum process in various states, 51 of them would have reduced citizens’ initiative rights. Thanks to the work of activists in our coalitions, only 3 bills reducing citizen’s rights have passed and become law.

West Virginia: Bringing Initiative & Referendum Rights to the Mountain State

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 10:15:38 -0500

Steven Allen Adams of the West Virginia Watchdog - a project of the Public Policy Foundation of West Virginia - and I talked yesterday about bringing ballot initiative and referendum rights to West Virginia (my home state). The first segment in a three-part on putting the voters in charge of the Mountain State is excerpted below:

West Virginia: No smoking ruling prompts petitions

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 11:30:39 -0500

The Cabell-Huntington Health Department voted to ban smoking in bars and video gambling establishments 4-0 at the Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2010 meeting, but opponents to the smoking ban have begun to express their constitutional rights —- they plan to do so in May at the election booth. And, the word is spreading. Amongst several unhappy smoking ban players, the word does not signal an immediate court challenge. The West Virginia Supreme Court essentially decided the question, leaving only a narrow legislative window that exempts bingo halls with 100 or more card players.

Judge: West Virginia Can't Restrict Petitions in Parks

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 16:34:16 -0400

A U.S. District court judge has ruled that the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources can’t prevent citizens from circulating petitions in state parks. While West Virginian does not give its people access to the ballot initiative and referendum process, candidates for office have to collect signatures on nominating petitions.

Citizen group files court challenge on TIF petition

Mon, 16 Feb 2009 13:22:51 -0500

Not satisfied with the city’s response to its petition drive, citizen group Glosta Tea Party filed a lawsuit against Gloucester officials on Friday, Feb. 6 asking for a suspension of the tax incentive plan brokered between the city and developers of Gloucester Crossing.

A hearing set for Tuesday, Feb. 10, in Salem’s Essex Superior Court was delayed until March 18 after the city requested more time to prepare its case.

Jamie O’Hara, a lead organizer of Glosta Tea Party, said his group was caught off guard by the city’s move.

Refereeing the Referendum

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 08:11:35 -0500

After four years of workshops, public hearings and re-writes, the new Jefferson County zoning ordinance went into effect November 2. The document will completely transform the way planning and zoning takes place in the county. The old “LESA” system of splitting up large farms far from towns is out—as are parent-to-child transfers and the traditional minor subdivisions, which allowed landowners to carve out two lots every five years with little planning oversight.