West Virginia state Senate reviews snow removal bill

The bill has passed the State House and would allow state Division of Highways to contract with private companies to handle snow removal.

EDITOR'S NOTE: This full story comes from WV Metro News and can be found at its website.

A House-passed bill would allow the state Division of Highways to contract with private companies to handle snow removal in Monongalia and Preston counties.

The bill, House Bill 2960, is currently before the Senate Finance Committee with less than two weeks to go before the end of the regular session.

Bill sponsor Del. David McCormick, R-Monongalia, said snow removal from the DOH has been undependable, creating extended unsafe driving conditions for extended periods of time.

Sen. Mike Oliverio, R-Monongalia, plans to support the legislation. Oliverio spearheaded an effort to get the DOH to contract out ditching maintenance last year and has long believed there are staffing problems in District 4 of the DOH.