Trinkets bill finally passes legislature

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A bill that would prevent elected officials from using taxpayer money to promote themselves is heading to the governor’s desk after final approval from state lawmakers back on Friday.

The state Senate approved the “Trinkets Bill” (HB 2457) following earlier support in the House of Delegates. Delegate Kelli Sobonya (R-Cabell) finally saw the bill pass after introducing it year after year.

“When I was first elected 13 years ago I was driving into the capitol and I saw a big billboard by one of our statewide officeholders and it said, ‘Rip-off call’ and it had there name and proceeded with the phone number and I thought, ‘I am ripped off. I’m ripped off by you using my tax dollars to promote your name,” Sobonya said.

The bill has been around for 11 years and received more support this year with the new Republican majority setting the agenda.

Sobonya said no more will officeholders be allowed to put their names or faces on trinkets, advertising campaigns or publicly owned vehicles.

“This bill will end shameless self-promotion at taxpayer expense,” Sobonya said.

The measure was first sent to a subcommittee in the House Judiciary Committee this session and emerged from there to move through the process.

“Balancing our state budget will be very challenging, and it is past time for legislators to respect the taxpayer and end this unsavory practice of self-promotion on the public dime,” Sobonya said.

The bill passed the House and Senate on unanimous votes.





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