Legislative Roundup

• The Associated Press weighs the prospects for legislation that would allow West Virginia's state employees to bargain collectively. Gov. Joe Manchin is willing to consider such a proposal if it "promotes the best practices in government," but he "has not made a decision to support or oppose the measure yet, only to hear out its proponents and foes," his spokesman tells AP.

• AP also notes the House's unanimous passage of the governor's legislation to provide out-of-state veterans free tuition at West Virginia colleges through the new G.I. Bill, by offering them in-state rates.

• The House Finance Committee had endorsed a bill that offers to help both underfunded police and fire pension programs, and volunteer firefighters seeking pension-like benefits. But the resulting price tag includes an estimated $14.2 million in tax hikes, and would allow further increases on the municipal level. AP covered Tuesday's action, as did MetroNews and The Charleston Gazette.

• Both The Register-Herald of Beckley and MetroNews (with audio) observe progress for a bill to ban hands-on cell phone use while driving.

• A Senate committee has scuttled a bill that would regulate towing companies, after the industry argued the measure responded to a single rogue outfit. Both MetroNews and Public Broadcasting (with audio) have coverage.

• Another bill on the ropes "would let dealers sell a vehicle without a warranty if the vehicle is at least 7 years old, or has at least 75,000 miles on it," The Gazette reports. It received a chilly reception at a Tuesday public hearing, where "opponents of the bill far outnumbered supporters," the article said.

• The Charleston Daily Mail highlights the latest attempt to "allow licensed retailers to sell liquor on Sundays during the same hours beer can be sold - after 1 p.m."