The Legislature, Day 43 - UPDATE II

* ABORTION: The Senate Health and Human Resources Committee has amended and advanced this session's bill to tighten the state's parental notification law, as The Charleston Gazette reports.
(Update: Today is Pro-Life Day at the Legislature, and hundreds of anti-abortion advocates have thronged the Capitol Rotunda for a lengthy program of speakers and live music. Gov. Joe Manchin attended last year's event.)

* ATVs (Updated): The Senate Transportation and Infrastructure Committee advanced a bill banning the machines, but there's a catch as The Associated Press' Tom Breen reports. The committee derailed a companion measure Tuesday.

* INVESTMENTS: The Gazette also tracks separate House and Senate bills that would allow the state to invest in real estate and other assets beyond the stocks and bonds currently permitted.

* SCHOOL BUS RIDES: MetroNews reports on a renewed effort by Gov. Joe Manchin to address the length of school bus routes.

* SMOKING IN CARS (updated): The Senate has passed to the House an amended version of legislation that seeks to bar adults from smoking in vehicles with child passengers. The Register-Herald of Beckley earlier offered details.

* TEACHER PAY: The House Finance Committee has advanced the version of Manchin's salary hike bill amended earlier by the House Education Committee. The Gazette and MetroNews both report on this latest development. The full House could vote on the bill as early as Friday.
(Update: teachers are also worried that county school boards or the state will follow the example of Auditor Glenn Gainer and post their salaries online, the Charleston Daily Mail reports.)

* LEGISLATIVE PAY (update): Lawmakers _ or, at least, Senate Finance Chairman Walt Helmick, D-Pocahontas _ remain interested in getting a pay raise, as recommended before the session's start. MetroNews has the story.