Recent efforts to improve transparency in the West Virginia legislature are facing significant obstacles. Originally published by Mountain State Spotlight, this story highlights how lobbying and governance challenges are complicating the path toward more openness in the state’s lawmaking process.

West Virginia lawmakers are pressing forward with a 5% tax cut for residents, rejecting most proposed amendments in a nearly two-hour debate. Meanwhile, the Senate has approved a standalone pay raise bill, setting the stage for a flurry of final votes before the legislative session ends at midnight Saturday.