Two More Join Home Rule

Elkins and Harpers Ferry have gained a larger say in how they govern. The West Virginia Municipal Home Rule Board granted both municipalities home rule status this week. The program shifts power from the state to the local level. Also Monday, Bridgeport and South Charleston received approval to implement a 1 percent city sales tax. The Legislature created the home rule program in 2007 as a five-year pilot in Bridgeport, Charleston, Huntington and Wheeling. There are now 28 municipalities participating in the program.