Opinions
West Virginia’s opioid settlement with McKesson is best case scenario
MORGANTOWN – West Virginia is one of the states hit hardest by the opioid crisis. The American Enterprise Institute estimates the annual cost to the state is $8.8 billion annually.
Client files suit against Bill Kinder & Associates after loss of $130,000 investment
BECKLEY – A Lewisburg woman is suing a financial adviser and a business after she allegedly lost thousands that she invested based on their recommendations.
My first 90 days on the state Supreme Court
CHARLESTON – On December 12, 2018, Gov. Jim Justice appointed me to fill the vacant seat on the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia. At that time, I assumed that I would have a reasonable amount of time to make the transition from 23 ½ years on the circuit bench in Raleigh County to taking office and starting my career as a Justice in Charleston. Wrong!
Judge gets judged and goes to jail
As of Monday morning, South Central Regional Jail has a distinguished new inmate: former Kanawha County Magistrate Julie Yeager.
Further deconstructing #TheStruggleToStay in West Virginia
Beyond the shouts of the mob through social media, we need to take the time to lift up those who are working to make our state a better place. We do not have to agree with other, but it would help if we would try to find ways to work together when we can.
Asking POTUS to get rid of WOTUS
Please, adopt the new Waters of the United States rule. We’re tired of interrogating ruts, puddles and ditches.
Driving innovation through the support of entrepreneurship
WASHINGTON – The ability of small businesses to drive innovation is critical to U.S. competitiveness. The U.S. Small Business Administration recently announced the addition of seven new clusters to its portfolio of communities it supports through the Regional Innovation Clusters Initiative, raising the total number of clusters in the program to fourteen.
The high price of fantasy and a licentious culture
It’s clear from the increasing prevalence of such cases, however, that our licentious culture is toxic, encouraging adults and the young people they should be protecting to see each other as objects of their sexual fantasies.
A thoughtful approach to water quality standards for West Virginia
The West Virginia Chamber of Commerce applauds conscientious legislators and a diligent and watchful Manufacturer’s Association for providing specific and precise data that convinced legislators to take a step back from the unknown consequences of Senate Bill 163.
State lacks caregivers for those with intellectual, developmental disabilities
It is time to come together to address this workforce crisis. A modest increase in funding will not only provide jobs to thousands of West Virginians but will ensure those with intellectual and developmental disabilities are receiving the care and support they need.
West Virginia is really cooking now
People used to work in their homes. The frontier family and the mom-and-pop shop were the norm once. Maybe they will be again.
2019 Legislative Session: A victory for Agriculture
CHARLESTON – With the 2019 Legislative Session in the books, we now have time to reflect on what our state leaders have accomplished.
West Virginia committed to remain a national leader in election cybersecurity
CHARLESTON – The old saying goes, “Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.” When it comes to technology, the new saying is, “Hack me once, shame on me.”
Is Allen Loughry appealing? Not to us!
Loughry has the right to appeal, just as we all do, but he also has the option to confess his guilt and start making reparations for the harm he’s done. He could set an example for the rest of us, in case we ever transgress the rules of right behavior. That would make him more appealing.
Women-owned businesses are succeeding in the U.S. economy
WASHINGTON – Women entrepreneurs make up a growing share of U.S. small business owners. The American Express 2018 State of Women-Owned Businesses report, which makes its projections based on data from the most recent U.S. Census Bureau Survey of Business Owners, estimates that they own 12.3 million companies in the U.S. – compare that to 1972 when there were only 402,000 women-owned businesses.
Thrasher expected to enter governor's race
MORGANTOWN – Woody Thrasher, who Gov Jim Justice forced out as Commerce Secretary last year, is said to be seriously considering running for Governor. Thrasher won’t comment on his possible candidacy, but the smart money is on him getting in the race.
West Virginia needs more negative campaigning
There are at least two aspects of every campaign: the case the candidate makes for himself and the case he makes against his opponent. The first is inevitably positive, the second inevitably negative – though not necessarily mean-spirited.
Delegate says WVAJ president misleading citizens about work WV CALA does
I am proud of the work that I did when I used to serve on the board of WV CALA and the work it did during the 2019 Session. I hope everyone sees past the misleading information from Mr. New and joins WV CALA in the fight to improve the lives of every day West Virginians.
Manchin vs. Justice: Shootout at the Statehouse Corral
Jim Justice and Joe Manchin are big men — literally and figuratively. They dominate state politics. And, although they once played on the same team and enjoyed each other’s support, they are now rivals, set on a potential collision course in 2020.
Investigation of state Supreme Court is over, maybe
The federal investigation of possible wrongdoing by our state Supreme Court justices, which began more than two years ago, finally is over. Unless, of course, it starts up again, which is also a possibility.