Opinions
Tax reform will boost United States' economy
CHARLESTON – West Virginians deserve to keep more of their hard-earned income. This is exactly what President Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress have planned for America.
West Virginia citizens deserve whole Supreme Court story
CHARLESTON – Many have heard or read about the renovations at the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals. News media have boiled this down to a “he said/he said” situation, but that ignores the clear and critical facts.
Our state Supreme Court justices hold us in contempt
State Senate President Mitch Carmichael's call for a constitutional amendment to give the Legislature authority over the state Supreme Court's budget is gaining support daily as details emerge regarding its extravagant expenditures.
Protecting your personal information from identity theft
CHARLESTON – As the holiday season approaches, it becomes increasingly important for consumers to exercise caution to protect financial information.
Slick Mr. H got a free defense with fringe benefits
Having a sexual relationship with a client can cloud an attorney's judgment, making the presentation of a rational, dispassionate argument in that client's behalf all but impossible. Plus, it puts undue pressure on the client to acquiesce to one's advances, bringing a whole new meaning to the phrase, “How would like to pay for that, cash or credit?”
Limiting damage caused by abusive class-action lawsuits
CHARLESTON – Manufacturing is essential to West Virginia’s economy, providing tens of thousands of jobs and more than $4 billion a year in exports. But there’s an import that threatens these West Virginia companies: Class action lawsuits.
The arrogance of our Supreme Court justices is astounding
$111,000. In most parts of West Virginia, you can buy a nice house for less than that. For $300-$500,000, you can get a really nice place … even in Charleston. $111,000 is what was spent to refurbish the office of State Supreme Court Justice Margaret Workman. That includes more than $8,000 for a sofa – or should we say, divan?
Tax relief will help all West Virginians
WASHINGTON – The year was 1986, Ronald Reagan was president, the Chicago Bears won the Super Bowl and Top Gun was the hit movie at the box office — and it was also the last time the federal government reformed the tax code.
Why do slip-and-fall hazards claim so few victims?
The funny thing about slip-and-fall accidents is, there's rarely a pile-up. It's usually one alleged victim, even when the alleged hazard has persisted for some time.
President's tax plan will benefit West Virginians
CHARLESTON – President Donald Trump has demonstrated his commitment to helping West Virginia rescue our economy from the damage inflicted during the Obama administration.
Some people are never satisfied
Greed used to be considered a bad thing, a vice. How often have we heard that line from St. Paul's epistle about the love of money being the root of all evil? How many times have parents and teachers reminded us of Aesop's fable about the dog that lost the bone he had while trying to snag another one from his reflection in a stream?
A national response to the fentanyl epidemic
WASHINGTON – Last month, President Trump brought national attention to an issue affecting West Virginia more than any other state – the fentanyl and opioid crisis. By declaring a public health emergency, new resources and support will be coming to West Virginia to help stop drug trafficking and expand treatment for people struggling with addiction.
Human trafficking can happen here
CHARLESTON – When many hear the phrase “human trafficking,” they may think of people from abroad being smuggled into this country to work.
Attention, Walmart shoppers: check the expiration dates
When you're at the supermarket, do you open a cartons of eggs before adding it to your basket to make sure none are cracked? Do you reach for a jug of milk at the back of the cooler, assuming it will be fresher?
President Trump is right to decertify Iran deal
CHARLESTON – By decertifying the Iran deal, President Trump has taken an important step toward making the United States, and the world, a safer place.
DiTrapano leaves a rich, colorful legacy
When a man like Rudy DiTrapano, your legal mentor and friend, lives a full life for 89 years, you're naturally sad but you have an abiding sense of gratitude that he was around so long and so sharp until the very end. But some lives touch you and so many others in such profound ways that their death is especially noteworthy and significant. And you find yourself not willing to say good-bye silently. That’s the case with Rudy. I've got to publicly thank him and pay tribute to his incredible life.
The unauthorized practice of law
WHEELING – Each state has laws that prohibit the unauthorized practice of law. Generally, these laws restrict the practice of law to lawyers who are licensed by the state. Licensing requirements are not uniform, but they frequently require taking and passing one or more bar examinations and a background investigation as to the fitness of an individual to practice law.
Time to stop acting like ninnies
“My heavens!” was our reaction upon learning that a fifth grade boy and his guardian recently filed suit in Putnam Circuit Court against the Putnam County Board of Education for failing to prevent him from injuring his finger while playing football during recess on school grounds at Eastbrook Elementary School a year and a half ago.
Voices heard on the end of the war on coal
The war on coal is officially over. EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt announced last week that the Trump Administration is abandoning the Clean Power Plan that was created to cripple the coal industry in America.
Incentivizing change to combat opioid abuse
CHARLESTON – As the chief legal officers of our states, myself and other attorneys general are taking action on many fronts to fight the opioid epidemic. We recognize that the devastating cost of addiction demands an unyielding commitment that utilizes every tool at our disposal.