The archives of history are filled with bits of wisdom from business and political leaders about planning. Here are a couple of good ones:
Thomas Edison said, “Good fortune is what happens when opportunity meets planning.” Abraham Lincoln said, “Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the ax.” And here’s one from the French philosopher Antrone de Saint-Exupery, “A goal without a plan is just a wish.”
During his nearly eight years as governor, we have learned many things about Jim Justice. He is a passionate advocate for the state; he is an effective salesman who can close deals to bring businesses here; he thinks big and has empathy for people who are suffering or in need.
However, he is not a planner. To Justice, planning meetings are a waste of time when you could be doing something. Sometimes that serves him well because a chief executive must make quick decisions and it is easy, especially in government, to fall into paralysis by analysis.
But when it comes to issues such as trying to convince the state legislature to pass another five percent income tax reduction, a little planning would go a long way.
Lawmakers question whether the state can afford another $110 million dollar reduction. They would like an extended financial outlook that would give them a better sense of the state’s financial future. That used to be a normal practice of state governors, but the Justice administration has not produced one since 2018.
Justice has scoffed at the request. “That’s just totally ridiculous to say, ‘Here’s a piece of paper. I haven’t gotten this piece of paper since 2018.’ And I would say to you my god a living, you must be living in a cave. I mean, this state is taking off like a bloomin’ rocket ship. Not having that piece of paper, who cares? Who in the world cares?” Justice said.
Well, a number of lawmakers who will decide whether or not to pass Justice’s tax cut do care. Those kinds of comments are disrespectful to the legislature. As Senate Finance Committee Chairman Eric Tarr, whose approval is vital to pass the tax cut, said on Talkline, “I think (that) may be the governor just not understanding the legislative process.”
Over the years, Justice has used the force of his personality and unbridled optimism to try to achieve his goals. However, the ongoing financial chaos of many of his family businesses suggests that approach does not always serve him well.
It is evident that Justice failed to properly plan for trying to push his tax cut across the line, otherwise the ill-timed special session would not have been forced to recess while lawmakers sort it out. Justice may still be successful, however, just by continuing his hyperbole about a rocket ship ride.
Then again, this whole exercise may turn out like Yogi Berra said, “If you don’t know where you’re going, you’ll end up someplace else.”