EKB News

After four days, the West Virginia legislature ended its special session Friday with tweaks to the gas tax and state energy policy among the final bills passed, while all but one of Governor Joe Manchin's 11 proposals received approval. Changes in the state gasoline tax set the base gas tax at 20.5 cents. The bill also sets limits on the variable component that impacts the gas tax each fall. Supporters say the changes will help stabilize the state Road Fund and allow the Division of Highways to better plan future projects, but those against the bill say it represents a tax increase, while the 5 cent "temporary" tax was set to go off in 2013, if lawmakers had rejected the bill. The only bill not to pass dealt with the state's Other Post Employment Benefits debt. Instead, a committee of seven senators was formed to study the $7 billion debt and come up with solutions which would be discussed during next year's regular session.