What's up in our neighboring state of West Virginia these days?*Forbes reports: "The Legislature ended its special session without touching Gov. Joe Manchin's bid to alter state law governing natural gas royalty leases." Believe it or not, "West Virginia has 11.6 percent of the nation's producing gas wells, with more than 49,000 as of 2005."
*The state legislature "passed more than a dozen bills during the three-day special session convened by Governor Manchin." These included "bills to benefit public health care programs, highway and bridge repair projects and higher education." And here's an interesting one: "Drivers on the West Virginia Turnpike who pay tolls with an EZ-Pass have a tax break heading their way. Noncommercial motorists with the electronic passes can deduct up to $1,200 in toll payments from their income taxes."
*West Virginia Blue examines "The Psychology of how Bush won West Virginia." An interesting topic, given that West Virginia voted overwhelmingly Democratic for President until recently.