CHARLESTON -- Dr. Russ Sobel, author of "Unleashing Capitalism" and a forthcoming book, "The Rule of Law: Perspectives on Legal and Judicial Reform in West Virginia," will be the special guest speaker at the Winter Meeting of the West Virginia Republican State Executive Committee.
"Dr. Sobel's insights on our economy and the political structure of West Virginia are always enlightening, and we look forward to hearing his thoughts on the challenges facing our state," state GOP Chairman Doug McKinney said.
Sobel will offer his remarks during the luncheon portion of the meeting at noon on Saturday, Feb. 21, at the Holiday Inn Charleston House in Charleston. The meeting of the State Executive Committee will commence at 1:30 p.m. A meeting of county chairmen will open the day's activities at 9 a.m.
Sobel's research has been published in many journals including the Journal of Political Economy, Journal of Law and Economics, Economic Inquiry, Journal of Economic Perspectives, Southern Economic Journal, Public Choice, Journal of Business Venturing, National Tax Journal, and Public Budgeting and Finance.
His edited volume on West Virginia policy reform entitled "Unleashing Capitalism: Why Prosperity Stops at the West Virginia Border and How to Fix It" has sold thousands of copies and been the subject of hundreds of media stories and public presentations including to West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin, South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford, and a joint session of the West Virginia Legislature's Finance Committee.
The book was named winner of the 2008 Sir Antony Fisher International Memorial Award by the Atlas Economic Research Foundation.
He also has a co-authored book entitled "Growth and Variability in State Tax Revenue: An Anatomy of State Fiscal Crises." He travels each summer giving lectures on the principles of economics.