One of the natural inclinations of government is to accumulate authority and maintain control. That creates more power, which governing bodies are reluctant to divest themselves of.
West Virginia has maintained a highly centralized form of governing since its creation in 1863, when union-sympathizing founders wanted to make sure they controlled southern-leaning regions of the new state.
But a century and a half of highly centralized government has consolidated too much power in Charleston, leaving municipal and county governments to serve as weak appendages.
Yet, it’s these local governments that are most likely to be confronted with the everyday problems of the citizenry—police and fire protection, sewer and water services, garbage collection, street construction and maintenance.
Fortunately, more recently the state has been gradually moving in the direction of decentralization.
It started with legislative approval in 2007 of a five-year pilot project and the creation of the Municipal Home Rule Board. That body approved home rule for Bridgeport, Charleston, Huntington and Wheeling, giving city leaders more freedom to govern their communities.
The experiment was so successful that in 2013, the state Municipal League pushed for, and received, an expansion of home rule to 20 towns and cities.
Those communities have embraced the challenge. Some made progressive changes in taxation by eliminating anti-growth business taxes and spreading the base with a small sales tax. Others have used their newfound freedom to streamline the process of removing dilapidated buildings and getting the property back on the tax rolls.
At a meeting of the West Virginia Municipal League in Wheeling this week, city leaders were divided into two camps—those who have home rule and swear by it and those who want home rule for their towns.
State Senate President and Republican Gubernatorial candidate Bill Cole, speaking to the Municipal League Wednesday, endorsed expanding home rule. “One of the greatest advantages of a decentralized system is its ability to address local issues,” Cole said.
He added that decentralization also puts government closer to the people. “You’re more likely to see your local mayor or city council person in the grocery store, at the little league game or church than your congressman, governor or your state legislator,” Cole said.
The result is an increased likelihood of a government that is more responsive to the wants, needs and desires of the governed, and when citizens are displeased with the result, it’s easier to make a change.
“It’s a success story,” said Municipal League executive director Lisa Dooley. “It’s a laboratory for the cities to test their ideas.”
She’s right. Why not open home rule to all West Virginia towns, cities, and counties as well. Rather than dwelling on the longstanding—and partisan—debate about more or less government, West Virginia can shift the paradigm and have more effective government.