Manchin Agenda Update

The Associated Press offers a broad overview of the progrees, or lack thereof, that Gov. Joe Manchin has seen with his 25-item legislative agenda this session.

But while that package of proposal "is moving forward largely intact...everything happening under the Capitol dome from now on is being measured by an economic situation that seems to change by the week," AP's Tom Breen writes.

AP also focuses on expected movement on one of the governor's bills, this one addressing the balance of the state's unemployment compensation fund. The Senate Judiciary Committee could amend and advance that measure as early as today.

MetroNews reports that the House Education Committee has "significantly changed" the Manchin bill targeting underperforming 3rd and 8th graders.

"It's not going to be a mandate and it's not based upon high stakes testing," said Delegate Stan Shaver, D-Preston and chair of the subcommittee that worked on the bill. "There will be other assessment tools to be used besides just mandating a test."

MetroNews reports also that "The House bill wouldn't require all counties to have the program and it would be paid for through a grant process. The bill does away with the governor's proposed $10 million funding." MetroNews offers audio as well.

Public Broadcasting (with audio and video) reports on the Senate change to the governor's school calendar bill that would dock teachers' pay for snow days, while allowing them to recoup the money with makeup days.

The Charleston Gazette comments both on Manchin's bid for a catch-all "Gaming Commission," and on his proposed crackdown of "double-dipping" public officials.