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W.Va. sets trend with OPEB bill
February 17, 2012 The Legislature passed a little over a week ago a bill that puts the state on track to eliminate the unfunded liability for other post employment benefits (OPEB). more »»
Headaches renewing drivers’ licenses
February 10, 2012 I and other legislators have been besieged with complaints from folks trying to renew their drivers’ licenses this year. The rules became very different beginning Jan. 3. more »»
Human trafficking being tackled
February 3, 2012 From the time I was elected to the House of Delegates in 1992 until just over a month ago I was a member of the House of Delegates Finance Committee. more »»
Firearms legislation resulting in emails
January 27, 2012 Each year for the past several (I can’t remember how many — it’s at least a half dozen) I’ve introduced a bill that would limit gun purchases to one per month. more »»
Understanding RIFs in our school system
January 20, 2012 Delegate Tiffany Lawrence and I spent about a half hour this week on the phone with Pete Dougherty, President of the Jefferson County Board of Education, talking about the prospect of layoffs of... more »»
Redistricting a victory for Jefferson County
January 13, 2012 Last week a three-judge panel assembled to hear the lawsuit in federal court by the Jefferson County Commission over this year’s congressional redistricting ruled in favor of Jefferson County. more »»
Additional judiciary required in region
January 5, 2012 Caseloads for circuit judges in the Eastern Panhandle have increased to the point where it’s obvious to me that we need at least one more. Meanwhile, I think Jefferson County needs another magistrate. more »»
Thankfully, cement mill saved
December 30, 2011 A story in last week’s Chronicle told of the purchase of the “cement mill” property about a mile southeast of Shepherdstown on River Road by the Jefferson County Historic Landmarks Commission (JCHLC). more »»
Single-member districts: amendment needed
December 16, 2011 When the legislature convenes in January for the 2012 regular session I will introduce a proposed constitutional amendment requiring single-member districts for the House of Delegates in the 2021... more »»
Shale session on tap
December 9, 2011 As of this writing (several days before publication), it looked like Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin was poised to call the legislature into special session to adopt laws governing drilling for natural gas. more »»
Time for civil unions -- at least
December 2, 2011 During the legislature’s next regular session, which begins on Jan. 10, I will sponsor a bill to permit lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender couples to enter into civil unions. more »»
What's the best county government structure?
November 25, 2011 A few years ago the legislature permitted Berkeley County to change its county government from a three-member “county commission” to a five-member “county council. more »»
More on redistricting suits
November 18, 2011 We talked here last week about three lawsuits challenging the constitutionality of the redistricting of the House of Delegates this past August. more »»
Redistricting complete; now the lawsuits
November 11, 2011 Three lawsuits have been filed regarding the recent redistricting of the West Virginia House of Delegates. One lodges a general complaint that the entire plan is unconstitutional. more »»
The chatter about year-round schooling
November 3, 2011 At the legislature’s October Interim Committee Meetings Jorea Marple, West Virginia’s State Superintendent of Schools, suggested to the Legislative Oversight Commission on Education Accountability... more »»
Comments on WVU addressed
October 28, 2011 Three weeks ago we talked in this space about the role of West Virginia University as our state’s flagship institution of higher learning. I’ve gotten some interesting feedback. more »»
Mapping the Harpers Ferry bottleneck
October 20, 2011 For decades now Jefferson Countians, Washington Countians, Loudoun Countians and visitors have endured numerous delays on U.S. more »»
Tomblin loses county, wins district
October 14, 2011 In the special election for governor held this past Oct. 4, acting Gov. more »»
Flagship schools need bigger guns
October 7, 2011 Our “flagship” needs bigger guns. I’m not talking military policy; I’m talking higher education polic. more »»
A 'nonpartisan' redistricting commission?
September 30, 2011 During the recently completed special legislative session on redistricting, many calls were heard, some from legislators, to take redistricting out of the hands of the legislature. more »»
Election for governor: Part II of IV
September 22, 2011 Several months ago West Virginia began a series of four elections for governor over a period of two years (approximately one election every six months). more »» |
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