Yes, let’s be informed and vote


kathy@h2cstrategies.com Election, Elections, Government & Policy, Legislation, Local Government, State Government, State Legislatures, Uncategorized, Voting, West Virginia

May 12, Election Day, approaches. Early voting is well underway across West Virginia. Politicians, media, business leaders, and others encourage voters to go to the polls, which tend to see less activity during nonpresidential-year elections. The West Virginia Secretary of State’s Office reported a 22.9% voter turnout for the 2022 primary, the last off-year election. …Read More

Berkeley County asks about data-center tax policy


kathy@h2cstrategies.com Broadband, Data Centers, Economy, Energy, Energy & enviroment, Gas and Oil, Government & Policy, Local Government, Tax Policy, Technology

Berkeley County public officials are inquiring about the tax implications of a potential data-center development in Falling Waters, an unincorporated community on the Potomac River. Reporting on April 26, Brad McElhinny of WV MetroNews suggested that Berkeley County could be on the leading edge of counties assessing data-center development. McElhinny reported that Berkeley County sent …Read More

Public knows what it wants: reliable power grid


kathy@h2cstrategies.com Energy, Government & Policy, Legislature, Local Government, State Government, Uncategorized , , ,

A recent public opinion survey shows that 95% of West Virginia voters support modernizing the state’s electric grid. Mark Blankenship of MBE Research, writing in the Charleston Gazette-Mail on April 22, said a February survey shows the importance that registered voters place on the reliability of the power system. Furthermore, he said 68% of those …Read More

New Report Explains How Governments Can Leverage Federal Funds to Partner with Local Nonprofits


Brian Skinner ARPA, Government & Policy, Local Government, State Fiscal & Economic Policy

By Brian Skinner, Esq.  The National Council of Nonprofits has issued a report on how state and local governments can partner with nonprofit organizations in their communities to use relief funds distributed through the American Rescue Plan Act (“ARPA”) by expanding existing programs or creating new ones.   Congress expressly declared in the ARPA that state, local, Tribal, and territorial governments may use their allocations of the $350 billion in Coronavirus …Read More

Monongalia County leaders concerned about local marijuana dispensary rules


Brian Skinner Local Government, Medical Cannabis

WV Metro News — By Mike Nolting — October 15, 2020 MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Local and state lawmakers from Monongalia County are concerned about changes to medical marijuana dispensary requirements, with officials arguing the chances could delay or prevent some applicants from receiving approval. State regulations require dispensaries to be at least 1,000 feet from a …Read More

The Impact of Covid-19 on State And Local Governments


Brian Skinner Local Government, State Fiscal & Economic Policy

By Brian Skinner, Esq. News on Sunday revealed that the White House has again pivoted in its approach to stimulus negotiations, with the president’s aides pushing for immediate action on a narrow measure after the administration’s $1.8 trillion proposal was rebuffed by members of both parties. This comes after months of negotiations between Treasury Secretary Steven …Read More

New Virus Relief Proposal Includes Less Aid for States and Localities


Brian Skinner COVID-19, Local Government, State Fiscal & Economic Policy

  Route Fifty — By Bill Lucia — September 29, 2020  State and local governments would see a combined $417 billion in direct federal aid under an updated coronavirus relief proposal that House Democrats revealed on Monday, a sum that is well short of the amount included in an earlier version of the plan, but that also …Read More

Medical Cannabis Land Use and Zoning Law


Brian Skinner Local Government, Medical Cannabis
Medical Cannabis

By Brian J. Skinner, Esq. This article provides an overview of the land use related statutes regulating medical cannabis businesses. Counties in West Virginia may prohibit medical cannabis businesses by passing an ordinance by vote of the residents of the county to prohibit the operation or location of a medical cannabis organization within the county. …Read More