Session Shorts, Day 58

BUDGET: The 2008-2009 state budget began to take shape Wednesday when the House Finance Committee amended Gov. Joe Manchin's spending recommendations. As The Associated Press notes, lawmaker expect to meet in extended session next weeks to craft a final version.

CAPTIVE AUDIENCE: The measure championed by labor groups and decried by employers is dead this session, Senate Judiciary Chairman Jeff Kessler, D-Marshall, tells The Register-Herald of Beckley.

HORSE PARK? The House has refused to accept a Senate amendment that would require the West Virginia Turnpike's parent agency to provide $100,000 for an equestrian park proposed in Mercer County. The Register-Herald has the details.

HUNTING ED: "West Virginia may soon start teaching hunting in its classrooms, but schools would not be required to offer such coursework under House changes to pending legislation," AP reports.

JUDGES: AP reports that the House is poised to approve a Senate-passed bill that would allow three more circuit judges, giving one each to Mercer County, Wayne County and the circuit serving Hampshire, Hardy and Pendleton counties. Manchin is expected to sign the measure.

MUNICIPAL PENSIONS: A House Finance subcommittee has been assigned the bill sought by cities and towns to aid their verkakte police and fire pension funds. Though it meets Thursday, supporters tell MetroNews the move could kill the measure this session. With audio.

SBA: MetroNews highlights the latest funding measure for the School Building Authority, and talks to Executive Director Mark Manchin.

SEXUAL ORIENTATION: After a tense House Judiciary meeting that saw one member called out of order, the committee on Wednesday advanced the hotly debated change to the state's Human Rights and Fair Housing acts. AP has details, as does The Gazette and MetroNews.

STREAMS: The House has tweaked the Senate's attempt to resolve the debate over "Tier 2.5" waterways in West Virginia, sending it back to that chamber Wednesday for final approval. The House debate before the vote included some fireworks, as AP details. The Gazette has a story as well.

THIRD HOUSE: The Cultural Center hosted the 19th annual assemblage of skits and songs meant to poke fun at West Virginia's political class. The Marshall University Parthenon has a review, while The Gazette offers a photo.