The Legislature, Day 41

Today marks the deadline for senators to introduce bills (the only exception is for measures that direct state spending, as with supplemental appropriations).

The Associated Press offers an update on the Top 10 bills of the 2007 session.

The AP's Tim Huber updates on West Virginia's efforts, partly through legislation, to improve mine safety.

The AP also reports on the heir apparent to the fabled Budget Digest: "Community Participation Projects." The Charleston Gazette's Phil Kabler gives mention to this as well in today's column ("Frying a Fresh Slab of Pork," has he puts it).

The Gazette also follows up on an often-overlooked provision of Gov. Joe Manchin's teacher pay raise bill that would boost the bonus teachers earn for national certification.

With the Legislature increasing its attention to the upcoming state budget, Public Broadcasting plans to interview the House and Senate finance committee chairmen at 6:30 p.m. on The Legislature Today.

And speaking of the state budget, the Herald-Dispatch of Huntington touts a recent study that credits West Virginia's three medical schools for providing nearly 21,000 jobs and adding $2.5 billion to the economy.