Special session of legislature will be prior to July 1

West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey indicated again that he would call a special session to address issues and increases with the Public Employees Insurance Agency. Morrisey has not said exactly when he would call this special session, but those who represent state employees say fixes are needed soon before the increases go into effect on July 1. Dale Lee, the president of the West Virginia Education Association, said reality is starting to set in.”It’s really starting to hit them now that this is going to take effect July 1,” Lee said. Last year, the PEIA Finance Board approved a plan that increases premiums by 14% for state employees, 16% for local governments and 12% for retirees. A 40% increase in deductibles was also part of that plan.