By Mallory Panuska
FAIRMONT — Courtesy of the West Virginia Legislature, municipal lawmakers may soon have more teeth in tackling the issue of blighted structures within their city limits.
House Bill 4034 aims to give municipalities the authority to establish a vacant building registration program to address property eyesores in local neighborhoods.
The bill is part of Gov. Joe Manchin’s 2010 legislative agenda and supported by Marion County’s local delegation. It passed the House on Feb. 17 and is now in the hands of the Senate Finance Committee.
“It’s a great bill,” House Majority Whip Mike Caputo, D-Marion, said. “I think it gives cities the tools to address buildings that are abandoned.”
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