Hoppy Kercheval News
What a bunch of bulls__t
CHARLESTON – You could see what might be coming.
President Trump ends 'War on Coal'
CHARLESTON – President Trump failed in his attempt to fulfill a campaign promise to replace ObamaCare, but he has made good on his pledge to get the EPA’s foot off the throat of the coal industry.
Manchin stands, while Dems sit on their hands
MORGANTOWN – There were times during President Trump’s recent speech to Congress when Senator Joe Manchin stood alone among Democrats to applaud.
Can state government be 'rightsized?'
MORGANTOWN – As Governor-elect Jim Justice and lawmakers prepare for what is expected to be a challenging session of the Legislature, the term “rightsizing government” is being tossed around.
Trump's appointment of Pruitt will bring EPA back in line
MORGANTOWN – The environmental left is apoplectic over President-elect Donald Trump’s choice of Oklahoma attorney general Scott Pruitt as the head of the Environmental Protection Agency.
Outgoing Justice Benjamin strikes a libertarian chord
MORGANTOWN – Outgoing state Supreme Court Justice Brent Benjamin has always had a libertarian lean.
How third-party candidates affect (sometimes) races in W.Va.
MORGANTOWN – The leading candidates in the West Virginia Governor’s race are Democrat Jim Justice and Republican Bill Cole.
West Virginia settles in for long-term flood recovery
MORGANTOWN – The raging flood waters of a month ago have long since retreated and hundreds of tons of debris have been collected and hauled away, but in some ways the arduous and expensive recovery is just beginning.
This year, we really need a few gubernatorial debates
MORGANTOWN – The field has just been set for the governor’s race in West Virginia, and we already have a debate about debates.
Why it's important to listen to Bo Copley
MORGANTOWN – Presidential campaign stops and stump speeches become a blur after awhile, but occasionally there is a moment of intense clarity, a comment or circumstance where sharp focus is brought to bear on what the election is really about.
Jim Justice dogged by property tax issue
MORGANTOWN – Opponents of West Virginia Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jim Justice made sure the press saw the story in the Lexington (Ky.) Herald-Leader newspaper. “Coal companies controlled by a billionaire running for Governor of West Virginia owe $3.5 million in delinquent property taxes in Eastern Kentucky, shortchanging schools and other public agencies at a time many are struggling.”
New prevailing wage rates, same old problems
MORGANTOWN – West Virginia’s political leaders, contractors and labor representatives have been arguing for months now over prevailing wage, the hourly pay and benefits that the state determines should be paid to workers on state taxpayer-funded projects.
Sometimes, even politicians need protection
The picture on the front page of the Charleston newspaper was revealing; West Virginia circuit judges Phillip Stowers, Paul Farrell and Darrell Pratt looking perturbed as they presided over a hearing aimed at removing Charleston Mayor Danny Jones from office.
Public officials struggling to understand 'trinkets law'
MORGANTOWN – West Virginia public officials, from the governor to county officeholders, are sifting through an advisory opinion by the state Ethics Commission to try to figure out how they can and cannot use their names and/or likenesses.
So, what happened under the Capitol Dome?
CHARLESTON – It will take a few days for the dust to settle and sort out everything that happened during the just-completed 60-day regular session of the Legislature, but here are some initial observations.