Manchin Signs Metro Government Bill

Manchin Signs Metro Government Bill: "Governor Joe Manchin Tuesday signed the Metro Government Bill, praising Senator Brooks McCabe for leadership on the legislation. McCabe, a Kanawha county Democrat, said, 'It's a chance for local officials in the communities to get together and re-craft a form of government for the 21st century'. Local governments are now free to consolidate services to save money. Manchin also signed a bill aimed at reforming the state's purchasing system. The governor said, 'It gives us a chance to be much more competitive in how we purchase the goods for the people of West Virginia in order to keep the state running. And, doing it in a way that vendors should want to do business with the state.' Ad The county officials pay raise bill is now law as is minimum wage legislation that, for now, affects only about 2,000 West Virginians. But, Senator Jon Hunter, a Monongalia county Democrat, said, 'It'll impact even more people next year because it includes state employees. And, the year after that, it impacts a lot of people.'"