CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - Officials representing several West Virginia cities want the Legislature to continue experimenting with home rule.
The state has a highly centralized government, but a pilot program has temporarily expanded the powers of four municipalities.
The mayors of Charleston and Wheeling told lawmakers on Monday that their cities have benefited from the five-year experiment.
They say increased home rule has helped them clean up dilapidated buildings and remove bureaucratic hurdles to economic development.
The state's Municipal League believes the pilot program has been a success and should be renewed or expanded.
But the experience hasn't been perfect. A pending lawsuit is challenging Huntington's attempt to adopt tax changes.
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