The real fake news

Fake news is real. I’m not talking about how the term is casually thrown around about any story that a news consumer happens to disagree with or believes is slanted. Former President Donald Trump has codified that as a convenient way to try to discredit the media. No, this is about actual fake news. The

Confessions of a former legislature fanboy

Back in January, I wrote a commentary in praise of the West Virginia Legislature. Here is what I said: “Let me confess now that I am a fan” of the Legislature. I went on to write about the importance of real people—not professional politicians—collectively making decisions they believe are in the best interests of their

Legislature faces big decision on state unemployment program

Here is a question West Virginia legislators always need to ask themselves, especially in the closing days of a session: Is it better to something or do nothing? That applies to the current debate under the Capitol dome over SB 841 which makes significant changes in the benefits paid to laid off workers and the

Joe Manchin and the ‘sick f–k’ protester

Last Friday, West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin was delivering a talk to a small group at the Harvard Institute of Politics.  His presentation was interrupted by a handful of radical climate activists. They got in his face, chanted and yelled at him for his support, among other things, of the Mountain Valley Pipeline. One protester

I know “In God We Trust” but…

The West Virginia House of Delegates is considering a bill that requires the display of our national motto, “In God We Trust,” in public schools. The bill passed the Senate 31-1 with two absent and I will make the bold prediction that it will pass the House if it comes up for a final vote!

The inconsistent Republicans

In politics, it is often difficult to be consistent.   Holding true to a particular ideology may require an individual to be for or against something that they personally object to or that they know will anger their constituents.  I’m thinking of many of the Republicans who hold super majorities in the West Virginia Legislature

House of Delegates rolls back the clock on life-saving vaccinations

In West Virginia, we often find ourselves trailing the rest of the nation in many categories. We are frequently at or near the bottom in health outcomes. When we find ourselves at the bottom it is dispiriting, but here is a stat West Virginia can be proud of:  West Virginia’s school-aged children have one of

Huggins has zero chance of returning as WVU’s coach

WVU Athletic Director Wren Baker will conduct a nationwide search for a permanent head basketball coach. Baker indicated when he hired Josh Eilert on an interim basis last year that he would wait until the end of the season.  However, if Baker is doing his job, he is already exploring the possibilities. Eilert should be

Lawmakers want to block the release of mugshots

A bill moving through the West Virginia Legislature would prevent state corrections officials from releasing to the public mugshots of individuals who have been arrested.  The House Judiciary committee has approved and sent the full House HB 4621 which says, “photographs of a person for identification purposes taken by the Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation

Legislators look to finish off income tax on Social Security

The House Finance Committee has taken a step toward approving Governor Jim Justice’s proposal to eliminate the state income tax on Social Security benefits for middle and higher income West Virginians. However, lawmakers are taking a more cautious approach to the tax cut. The bill that came out of committee would phase out the tax

Manchin moves on

  In the end, Joe Manchin made up his mind quickly. The West Virginia Senator is notorious for overthinking decisions and shifting views. That can frustrate those closest to him, but it also allowed him to consider all possibilities. It was that attribute that made him the ultimate deal maker. His driving life force is

I’m off

I’m off for a week. Dave Wilson will be filling in on Talkline.  The commentary will return on Monday, Feb. 19.   Hop

Chris Miller is making noise in the governor’s race

Chris Miller is emerging as a wild card in the race for the Republican nomination for Governor in West Virginia. An indicator of his building momentum came this week when the Club for Growth started running TV ads attacking Miller. The Club for Growth is backing Attorney General Patrick Morrisey for Governor, and the PAC

The political mine field of border policy

Oklahoma Senator Republican Jim Lankford has for the last four months been a key player in the Senate negotiations to try to craft a border security bill. A few days ago, the Oklahoma Republican Party approved a resolution censuring Lankford. Lankford’s home state Republicans accused him of “playing fast and loose with Democrats on border

The paradox of Jim Justice

Jim Justice is in the news in West Virginia about every day. What the state’s governor does and says is typically newsworthy, and Justice is very quotable. He is running for the U.S. Senate, so his candidacy makes news. In addition, there is often news about one or more of his family companies not paying

Notes from under the gold dome

Some thoughts about a couple of pieces of legislation at the state house:  The first is a resolution. Delegate Kayla Young (D, Kanawha) has introduced House Joint Resolution 27 calling for an amendment to the state constitution guaranteeing women the right to control their reproductive decisions, including abortion.  The proposal is similar to one that

How will the Republican Primary change impact the party?

The West Virginia Republican Party executive committee has approved a resolution that will limit the party’s Primary Election to only Republican voters beginning in 2026. The decision reverses the party policy that had been in place for more than 30 years that allowed independents or individuals with no party affiliation to vote in the GOP

Biden pulls the plug on future LNG terminals

In March 2022, President Biden promised the United States would be a reliable supplier of natural gas to European countries to replace the flow from Russia.  The landmark energy supply deal with the EU guaranteed shipments of liquified natural gas (LNG) to keep homes heated and businesses running, but with a side benefit of punishing

Library bill spurs controversy

Controversy has erupted at the State Capitol over a bill that, if it becomes law, would make it a serious crime for a librarian or museum curator to display or make available to a minor material that is obscene. Specifically, HB 4654 removes schools, museums and public libraries from the exemption in current law that

State must give teachers a substantial pay raise

West Virginia Education Association teachers’ union president Dale Lee says there is a crisis in public education in the state. Frankly, the term “crisis” is thrown around so much that it has lost a lot of its punch. However, Lee and others in public education are right to raise legitimate concerns about the current state