Opinions
West Virginia leading on national stage in election security
CHARLESTON – Imagine a geo-strategic judo match. All the power, strength, momentum, and confidence we have happens to be confronted by a failing, weak, corrupt regime. How does the weaker challenge the stronger? Use the mightier’s strengths against him. It’s classic judo. We are up against a corrupt Russia, but it’s led by a black belt, martial arts expert. This is precisely what Putin and the Russians are doing to the U.S. Allow me to explain.
'Justice Robin Jean Davis cordially invites you to join her for a Cocktail Buffet ...'
Have you ever been invited to dine at Justice Robin Davis' home? No? Neither have we. We hear she lays out a sumptuous spread, though, as exemplified by the dinner she hosted for circuit court judges at her home in the fall of 2013. Among the many delectable buffet items to nosh on were asparagus wrapped in prosciutto, artichoke tartlets, seared tuna on sesame crackers, pork tenderloin with apricot chutney, roasted red pepper and mushroom and artichoke pasta, and leek and pancetta and mushroom panzanella.
Peter should not pay for the sins of Paul
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A fundamental of our legal system is that each person is responsible for his or her own conduct, not that of another person. This same principle applies in the area of product liability law in that a manufacturer should only be responsible for its own product, not that of a competitor.
Winking at McGraw, scowling at Morrisey
Ever since the departure of the previous state attorney general, whom they let do as he pleased for 20 years, the West Virginia House of Delegates has feigned concern that the reformer who replaced him might run amok. “Ironic” doesn't half describe it.
Supreme Court spending controversy triggers shake-up
MORGANTOWN – West Virginia MetroNews statewide correspondent Brad McElhinny reported last Friday, “a rumor has been circulating in recent days that federal authorities have been interviewing (State Supreme) Court officials.”
West Virginia is going in the right direction
“We all want progress,” C.S. Lewis once observed, “but. if you’re on the wrong road, progress means doing an about-turn and walking back to the right road; in that case, the man who turns back soonest is the most progressive.”
Inventory tax removal will benefit West Virginia
Dear Editor: As West Virginians, we recognize the obstacles we need to overcome to achieve greater economic prosperity. We talk about it, mull it over, debate it, but not often enough do we decide and act.
Defeat of EPA power plan brought real change
CHARLESTON – Two years ago, the outlook for West Virginia’s energy sector seemed grim.
Moving closer to an intermediate appellate court
The West Virginia Senate Judiciary Committee has recommended passage of the intermediate appeals court bill to the full senate with several amendments.
On legal reform, our work has just begun
CHARLESTON – In his State of the State address, Governor Jim Justice hailed the “miracle” unfolding in the Mountain State. We’re now on sound fiscal footing, so we can invest more in things like education and infrastructure.
Bad Science at NIOSH?
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) was established by the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 as a research agency focused on the study of worker safety and health.
Let's make our state more appealing
How can you not like something that's inherently appealing? Like an appeals court. Not the state Supreme Court we already have, but an intermediate appellate court in-between our state's supreme and circuit courts. Like the appeals courts that exist in our federal judicial system and in all state judicial systems but those of West Virginia and eight other outliers.
State agencies must be prepared for the worst
CHARLESTON – Serving 21 years as an intelligence officer in the United States Marine Corps taught me one thing; always be prepared for the worst.
The war on coal ain't over 'til it's over
It was a happy day in mining country last fall when Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt announced that the Trump Administration would scrap the EPA's Clean Power Plan (CPP) and the onerous emission standards purposefully designed to shutdown the coal industry.
Success and accomplishment in Year One
CHARLESTON – On January 16, 2017, I was honored to take the oath of office as the 30th Secretary of State of West Virginia. Through my first year, we worked to improve customer services and operational efficiencies in every Division. The good news is we did it – and we will continue to do it every day I’m in office.
Common legal terms a personal injury client might hear during a case
WHEELING – What may seem like common terms to attorneys may be unfamiliar to clients. Below are some examples of terms that clients might come across during the course of his or her case, so that they may better understand the case.
Our Supreme Court alleges it is committed to 'sound fiscal management'
“The West Virginia Supreme Court is committed to sound fiscal management and administration of the judicial branch of government and takes its commitment to state taxpayers seriously.” Ha ha ha, ho ho ho, hee hee hee! Stop it, you're killing us!
2017 was a year of wins for West Virginia
WASHINGTON – With the inauguration of President Donald Trump one year ago, America entered a new era of prosperity, hope and optimism. The president’s Make America Great Again strategy is putting American families first by creating jobs and growing our economy here at home.
One rule for us, another for Lois Lerner
One rule for thee, another for me. We all know people who think and act that way. Many are politicians and public officials. They have exacting standards for everyone outside their circle of power (and hold us to them), but the standards they set for themselves are lower, and they allow themselves a lot of leeway for infractions.
Cuts at Supreme Court might look good at first, but will harm people
CHARLESTON – In a written response to questions about remodeling West Virginia Supreme Court justices’ offices — in a clear effort to change the subject and distract from the issue-at-hand — Justice Margaret Workman noted that, in the last year, the court has “already saved almost $8 million so far this year.” Justice Menis Ketchum wrote it was $7 million.