HOME RULE REPORT Legislative Audit Finds Home Rule Extension Successful
Reported by: Kennie Bass
Web Producer: Mamie Buoy
Reported: Nov. 27, 2012 8:35 PM EST
Updated: Nov. 27, 2012 8:42 PM EST
Eyewitness News Photo
Charleston
, Kanawha County
, West Virginia
Legislative auditors have released a report which concludes West Virginia might have found a way to grant more power to its cities.
Auditors say the pilot program extending home rule was so successful it should be expanded statewide. They told lawmakers at an Interim committee session that the cities of Charleston, Huntington, Bridgeport and Wheeling streamlined government, simplified business licensing and found better ways to fund public services.
"Five years ago, the Legislature allowed the cities to assume some authority they didn't previously have. It has helped us. It has helped the city of Charleston," says Charleston Mayor Danny Jones. "The one thing that stands out to me is the building code violations which we were just, it was almost impossible to deal with."
"It's a good first step. Particularly for them to recognize that the cities have done a good job and we can be trusted with the authority that's been given us," says Huntington Mayor Elect Steve Williams.
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Kennie Bass
