Editorials

Don’t Alter Home Rule

State Sen. Ryan Weld, R-Brooke, didn’t mince words Monday when his colleagues voted to try to wrest more control of local decision-making from municipalities across the state. “This is dumb,” he said. “Where is this a problem that we have to address?” That’s because there are none. But some lawmakers are so bothered that cities operating under the Municipal Home Rule Program are not entirely under state government’s thumb that they voted in favor of Senate Bill 579. The bill would amend state code to make all municipal non-discrimination ordinances that recognize ...

It’s Time To Improve Education in W.Va.

Charleston is full of people who want their constituents to believe they are there to do what is best for West Virginia. Luckily, a few of them are truly working to address the state’s real challenges. Some education-related bills are already being discussed, but a recent study shows there is a monumental amount of work to be done. WalletHub’s “Most and Least Educated States in America (2025)” places the Mountain State in a familiar spot — dead last. We are 50th overall, 50th for educational attainment and 43rd for quality of education. West Virginia is also dead last for ...

W.Va. Legislative Session Requires A Strong Finish

Only a few weeks remain in this year’s regular West Virginia legislative session and lawmakers have much work to do to when it comes to improving the state’s economy. Let’s hope there is a push between now and the session’s end on April 12 to prioritize legislation that will help Gov. Patrick Morrisey fulfill one of his key initiatives — making West Virginia more competitive with its neighboring states. One of the bills Morrisey wants to get across the finish line is Senate Bill 458 — the Universal Professional and Occupational Licensing Act. This legislation, which has ...

Helping Those Who Help Others in Need

When the Red Cross of the Ohio River Valley needs our help, it is often in the form of blood donations and filling volunteer opportunities. But Wednesday is Red Cross Giving Day — a chance for us to support this vital organization with financial donations, too. “This year’s disasters have set a whirlwind pace, displacing thousands of people from their homes across the country and disrupting the nation’s blood supply for patients,” said Erica Mani, chief executive officer for the American Red Cross Central Appalachia Region. “As we enter spring disaster season, families are ...

Tressel Solid Pick in Ohio

Those surprised by Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine’s choice for lieutenant governor must have been encouraged when Jim Tressel spoke to the state about his priorities. When so much in Columbus can feel overly specific or exclusionary, Tressel understands it is time to look out for all of us. “We’ve got to make sure the concern for our Ohioans and their fate, their future is our chief concern, and sometimes it doesn’t line up with what individually I’d really like. ... The chief interest and the decisions we make need to make sure we’ve kept in mind the needs of all of our ...

A Shot of Common Sense in the House

Members of West Virginia’s House Health and Human Services Committee have injected a measure of common sense responsibility into the conversation about vaccine requirements for public and private school students in the state. When state Senate Bill 460 made its way over to the House of Delegates, it included questionable exemptions for religious and philosophical reasons. In an 18-7 vote, members of the House committee removed them. Good. However, some of those provisions returned on Friday when the full House took up the bill. We ask House members to consider carefully their ...