Our leaders continually tell us they’re looking out for us and have our best interests at heart. But anyone who looks around at the real state of the State of West Virginia knows that simply isn’t true.
There are so many examples of this right now in the Mountain State. The most obvious one is that for a state that supposedly has a budget surplus and is riding a rocket ship to prosperity, why are we so behind the curve in almost every tangible measure of success?
It’s almost as if the budget figures have been manipulated somehow to make it seem the state is better off financially than it really is. Or that our leaders are doing a better job than they actually are in making things right.
Dickerson
| File photo
Nah, it couldn’t be that. Right?
This is an actual headline on a press release from the governor’s office last summer: “West Virginia shatters all-time financial records with close of fiscal year.”
The release touted revenue collections for Fiscal Year 2023 coming in at $1.8 billion over estimate “shattering the all-time record for biggest single-year revenue surplus in state history for the second straight year in a row.” (Forget the redundancy of saying second straight year in a row – maybe they should have thrown in the word consecutive to again reiterate their point).
Read that headline again. Is that the state you live in? Are we flourishing so much that we have this gigantic surplus? Are all of our roads drivable? Do all of us have access to clean water? Do all of us have speedy and affordable internet access? Are our teachers being paid a respectable wage? Are we doing so well as a state that people are moving here in droves to soak up the prosperity?
Spoiler alert: If you set the bar ridiculously low with budget estimates, any revenue brought in is a surplus.
Now, think about all of the headlines that portray the other side. Here’s one from last month: “West Virginia is named America’s unhealthiest state.” And here’s another from just last week: “West Virginia is the least educated state, study says.”
You can find similar headlines that replace “unhealthy” with “poorest,” “most worried” and other unflattering words.
We’ve all seen these stories. We live it every day. We see the evidence when we look around.
Yet, our lawmakers are seemingly focused on the really important issues such as whether raw milk should be pasteurized and making sure prep athletes can be part of a school team and a travel team at the same time.
Frankly, it's bordering on insanity.
I love my home state as much as anybody, but we all know things could be better. Much better.
Having such leaders who try to dictate the narrative is nothing new. That sometimes includes actually trying to tell seasoned journalists how they should to do their job.
I have been a reporter and editor for more than 35 years. I studied at one of the country’s best journalism schools, and I have worked with and learned from some amazing journalists. I’m not some keyboard warrior who describes himself as a citizen journalist (I’m looking at you, Derrick Evans).
Still, some politicos seem to think can tell me how to do my job.
A former state Supreme Court justice often would preface comments to me by saying, “I’m not going to try to tell you how to do your job, but …”
And it isn’t just the court. I’ve had officials from every corner of the state Capitol try similar things with me. And it’s not just politicians or government officials. A political campaign spokesperson tried to pull the same stuff with me just a few days ago, and I probably already was a veteran journalist when that person was born. I won’t name names, but they all know who they are.
Anyway, every time that former justice would say something like that to me, I knew he simply was trying to deflect attention from his actions that ultimately resulting in him spending time in federal prison. The others might not necessarily be doing anything illegal, but they still understand the power of the media.
And real journalists understand the importance of our job and want to tell what’s happening in a way that, as that award on my desk says, fair and accurate. None of us are successful 100 percent of the time, but that’s what we all seek.
It’s so much easier – and better for the public in the long run – when leaders are open and transparent with the media. Even if an official doesn’t like the spotlight, why not take the time to answer questions and offer insight to members of the media instead of slamming the door in their faces?
Refusing to answer questions isn’t the same as stretching the trust in a boastful or even misleading press release, but both fail to provide the real story. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve sent emails or voicemails to government officials that never are answered. Not even with a “no comment.” It’s as if they think ignoring the question will make it go away. Another spoiler alert: It doesn’t. It just makes it seem as if the official has something to hide.
It seems the days of state officials being open and transparent are gone. How long has it been since the real threat of COVID passed? Yet, the governor still won’t conduct his administrative briefings in person. Why? The only logical response is that it’s an easier way to control what questions are asked when it’s done online.
When Steve Canterbury served as the administrator for the state Supreme Court, I knew I could call him anytime for comment or for better understanding of something. I have yet to talk to current Administrator Joe Armstrong, who has been in the position for more than six years.
And while they understandably couldn’t and wouldn’t talk about court cases, former Justices Robin Davis, Tom McHugh, Menis Ketchum, Brent Benjamin, Spike Maynard and others always would be willing to talk about other matters involving the court.
That no longer is the case. It’s as if a holier than thou attitude has permeated every nook and cranny of the state Capitol.
Yes, justices and judges absolutely deserve respect in their courtrooms. Same goes for government leaders. They deserve respect, but they also should be held accountable for their actions or inactions. They also should respect their office and constituents enough to actually answer questions rather than evading, avoiding and even lying.
Still, don’t forget they’re people. They’re no better than you and I. But also remember, they work for us. Our taxes pay their salaries. And we can vote them out of office.
A judge – or any government official – who puts himself on a pedestal eventually will fall.
Dickerson is the editor of The West Virginia Record.