State of the State 2008: Reactions (Updated)

TEACHERS: Though largely left out of the speech, Manchin has proposed $81 million worth of pay raises, The Associated Press reports. More than half the money would go to teachers, who are also offered $20 million worth of signing bonuses.

But teachers seek more, as The Charleston Gazette and MetroNews report.

(Update: The Journal bounces the proposals off officials in the Eastern Panhandle, arguably the region most beset by teacher shortages. The story also notes Manchin's proposal to require counties to devote all free-up local share funds toward teacher salaries.)

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT: Manchin's emphasis on "funding work-force training won him praise from both business and labor," The Charleston Gazette reports.

Marion County, meanwhile, wants to land "one of the two state-of-the-art technical training centers that Gov. Joe Manchin wants to fill the needs of existing and new businesses," local lawmakers told the Times-West Virginian.

GOP REAX: "Republican leaders in the House and Senate say Governor Joe Manchin made some good proposals, but he didn't go far enough to put forth ideas that will improve the state's economy," MetroNews reports (with audio).

OTHER: Local delegations also chimed in to the Parkersburg News and (updated) The Journal of Martinsburg.

The Associated Press offers highlights of the agenda.