2008 Legislative Accomplishments

SB573 - giving a $1,600 across-the-board pay raise for teachers, along with $700 raises for school personnel. The raise was $400 less than the state teachers associations had pushed for, but more than the original 3 percent pay raises proposed by Manchin.

SB535 - creating an "enhanced driving under the influence" penalty, while dropping a mandatory 24 hours in jail for first-time DUI offenders. The enhanced DUI offense is for drivers with a blood-alcohol level of 0.15 or greater. The legal limit for driving is 0.08. The bill was endorsed by Mothers Against Drunk Driving, which believes it will curb repeat incidents of drunken driving.

SB239 - giving a property tax break to poor senior citizens and a property tax deferment for others. It allows senior citizens to defer property tax payments on their homes until they sell it or have their estate pay the bill. Homeowners over 65 and making less than $25,000 a year could have their property taxes frozen.

SB564 - granting free college tuition to surviving spouses and children of those killed while serving in the nation's armed services.

SB287 - establishing a $50 million research fund to be used by three colleges for research money when matched by private dollars. Marshall and West Virginia universities and the School of Osteopathic Medicine will qualify to use the funding.

SB474 - allowing the governor to declare sales tax-free days when there will be no state sales tax charged for the purchases of appliances that are rated as energy-savers.

HB103 - giving city courts jurisdiction over underage smoking violations.

SB9 - allowing the teaching of safe hunting courses in middle and high schools. West Virginia has been listed along with three other states for having the sales of hunting licenses go down. Lawmakers hope the courses will encourage youngsters to hunt for sport.

SB291 - creating new circuit judgeships for Wayne County, Mercer County and the judicial circuit that includes Pendleton, Hardy and Hampshire counties.

SB641 - that continues a state Department of Environmental Protection study of West Virginia's water resources and allows DEP to create a state water resources plan.

SB722 - that allows charitable pharmacies to continue their work.

HB102 - creating a special state income tax check-off box to allow residents to donate to the upkeep of Jackson's Mill State 4-H Camp.

HB 4023 - taking away driver's licenses from those under 18 who either drop out of school or have failing grades.