January 29th, 2018 by WCBC Radio

The West Virginia Senate advanced a bill Monday that aims to increase access to community college. Senate Bill 284 advanced to a third reading without discussion or amendment.  The bill would create the West Virginia Invest grant and the Advanced Career Education program, or ACE. The ACE program aims to provide high school students with an opportunity to earn post-secondary credits and an associate degree by establishing partnerships with community colleges.

The Senate also advanced Senate Bill 267, which would increase salaries of teachers and state employees.

The Senate Committee on Finance passed the bill last week, changing the bill to codify the raise for teachers over a five-year period and a two-year period for all other state employees.

The bill is now on second reading.