Education Savings Accounts

Education has been a top issue for lawmakers in this year's West Virginia legislative session as learning was upended significantly amid the coronavirus pandemic. Among those priority bills in the 60-day session included measures advancing school choice in K-12 education and establishing the Jumpstart Savings Program in higher education.

This week, The Legislature Today takes a deep dive into the various plans for the elimination of the state’s Personal Income Tax. Phil Kabler of the Charleston Gazette-Mail and Steven Allen Adams of Ogden Newspapers join host Dave Mistich to discuss multiple proposed fiscal policy changes. June Leffler provides updates on a bill to expand Medicaid coverage for new moms, and Emily Allen reports on HB 2017, which rewrites the state’s criminal code.

This week on The Legislature Today, senior reporter Dave Mistich speaks with House Finance Committee Vice Chair Vernon Criss, R-Wood, and House Finance Minority Chair Brent Boggs, D-Braxton, about Gov. Jim Justice’s plan to reduce the state’s personal income tax, while increasing consumer sales and other taxes. Liz McCormick gives us an update on House Bill 2013, which would establish education savings accounts.

A bill that would establish publicly funded education savings accounts in West Virginia to support private and homeschooling has passed the West Virginia Senate. The legislation passed the House of Delegates two weeks before and could soon be on the governor’s desk for a signature.

Two major education bills are nearing the end of their legislative journeys.

Leaders from several of West Virginia’s largest teacher unions had sharp criticism for bills under consideration in the state legislature. They voiced their concerns to the state Board of Education on Wednesday.

On this West Virginia Morning, a bill moving through the West Virginia Legislature would set up a long-term supervision program for people guilty of certain drug crimes. We learn about this bill and the latest on bills related to education savings accounts and syringe exchange programs. Also, we have an update on COVID-19 vaccine rollout in Jefferson County.

The West Virginia House of Delegates has once again passed a bill that would establish education savings accounts, or ESAs, for public school students who are looking to switch to private or homeschool. After initially passing HB 2013 in the full chamber two weeks ago, the House opted to send the Hope Scholarship Program back to committee to address some financial concerns.

On this West Virginia Morning, public education is a major topic at the West Virginia Legislature this year with Republicans and Democrats taking different sides on charter school expansion, work stoppage and education savings accounts. We speak to each side for their perspective. Also, we have the latest news from the statehouse, on vaccine distribution, and this week’s Mountain Stage Song of the Week.

The West Virginia House of Delegates voted to recommit HB 2013, establishing the Hope Scholarship Program, to committee on Friday.