Opinions
The state Supreme Court gets the message
CHARLESTON – Breaking news: The other day, state Supreme Court Chief Justice Beth Walker and Justices Tim Armstead and Evan Jenkins were having lunch together in the cafeteria in the basement of the state Capitol, and they paid for their own meals!
Protecting your backyard from unlawful regulation
CHARLESTON – As your Attorney General, I have worked hard to keep the regulatory power of the federal government at bay, particularly as it creeps into the everyday lives of West Virginians.
Auditor working to improve practices, transparency
CHARLESTON – While the state Legislature is debating and setting budgets for the coming fiscal year, it’s important for West Virginia citizens to know the State Auditor’s Office has been and continues to implement modern and improved accounting practices to track the spending of your taxpayer dollars.
Let the debate on an intermediate court of appeals continue
This alternative bill codifying the state Supreme Court rule guaranteeing appeals as a matter of right seems like a step in the right direction. Whether or not it obviates the need for an intermediate court, however, is debatable – and should be debated.
Education is the state's greatest responsibility
CHARLESTON – There is no greater responsibility of state government than to provide a thorough education for our children.
Lawmakers have a big to-do list in 2019
As we look ahead, we can’t think too long about the needs and challenges we face in West Virginia without turning our attention to jobs and the economy. Both are critical components to a vibrant state and a prosperous future for our residents.
West Virginia ahead of the game with industrial hemp
One agricultural initiative that West Virginia has been way ahead on is the development of industrial hemp.
How long must we wait for an intermediate appellate court?
A bill to establish an intermediate appellate court was introduced again last week at the opening session of the Legislature. In his address to the assembly, Gov. Jim Justice endorsed the measure and encouraged the lawmakers to pass it.
One Stop Business Center celebrating one year anniversary with open house
CHARLESTON – “Moving at the Speed of Business” is the motto of the West Virginia Secretary of State’s Business and Licensing Division. Advances in technology and a new user-friendly website have given our office the opportunity to communicate more effectively and respond quicker to the needs of the state’s business community and entrepreneurs.
Anti-growth mentality hurts West Virginia
CHARLESTON – West Virginia is certainly making progress on several fronts, but some in the state are determined to sabotage our potential for progress by trying to outlaw or restrict one of our most successful economic development tools.
U.S. Constitution guarantees freedom of – not from – religion
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof....” Though the First Amendment protects our right to follow our faiths, courts have often misinterpreted it to justify restrictions on religious freedom.
We need the full story on Warner and BRIM settlements
CHARLESTON – A true story with information left out becomes highly deceptive. The media has reported extensively on the settlement cost involved in the termination of 12 individuals in the Secretary of State's Office when Mac Warner took office.
It’s time for the state to invest in agriculture
If you believe agriculture should be part of our effort to diversify our state’s economy, lend us your voice. Tell your elected officials to join our cause. It’s time we invest in agriculture.
Fired SOS employees fill it to the rim with BRIM
When he took office last year, West Virginia’s Republican Secretary of State Mac Warner chose to replace some of the personnel left over from Democrat Natalie Tennant's eight-year tenure.
New chairs of education committees will have their hands full
MORGANTOWN – When the 2019 legislative session begins later this month, we should watch even more closely than usual what happens on the education front, particularly with two new committee chairs.
At last, someone’s regulating the regulators at the EPA
Morrisey was on the scene last week when acting EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler announced a proposed change that “would replace the Obama EPA’s 2015 definition with one that respects the limits of the Clean Water Act and provides states and landowners the certainty they need to manage their natural resources and grow local economies.”
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2018: A new awareness for West Virginia agriculture
CHARLESTON – Freshman college quarterbacks in their first season make a lot of mistakes. But every year after, they continue to hone in on their craft becoming the field commander of their dreams.
Supreme Court follies land state back on watch list
“The West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals experienced a tumultuous year with justices being charged with unnecessary and lavish spending of taxpayer dollars, followed by the Legislature calling for impeachment of all five justices,”said ATRA President Tiger Joyce.
Starting, growing a business in West Virginia has never been easier
Recently, in one 48-hour period, 63 new business organizations formed across West Virginia. Perhaps there has been no better time in decades to be in business in the Mountain State.
Hey, Jude, don’t make it bad!
Assuming the needle wasn’t planted there, you have to wonder how Taco Bell employees could have prevented some other patron or non-paying person from leaving it behind, or be discovered in time to harmed no one else.