Local Columns

Should Gov. Justice Get the Tax Cut He Wants?

Should West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice Get The Tax Cut He Wants? No one likes taxes — that much is for sure. However, the difference between the federal government and the West Virginia state government is that the state must operate on a balanced budget — something that is simply unheard of in Washington, D.C. The first round of personal tax cuts that were contained in House Bill 2526 cut personal income taxes by 21.25% and contains a trigger that will slice an additional 4% come January 2025. The problem for Jimmy, Jim or James, and Baby Dog, is that the 2023 tax cut ...

Sunday Is 811 Day. Remember To Call Before You Dig!

Every Aug. 11 the calendar page reminds us to call 811 before digging. WV811 is a free service that coordinates with utilities to locate underground pipes and wires before you put a shovel in the ground. You are required by state law to call 811 at least 48 hours before you excavate. In our state, the One Call law is enforced by the West Virginia Damage Prevention Board (DPB). The Public Service Commission is designated as an active member of the DPB. The DPB aggressively investigates every reported violation of the One Call law. Anyone can report a suspected violation at ...

Should Justice Get the Tax Cuts He Wants?

It appears as we get closer to the end of Gov. Jim Justice’s final five months as the chief executive of the State of West Virginia, he may be ending his tenure the same way he began it: with a showdown with the Legislature. Of course, there are differences between now and the 2017 legislative session. Then, the governor was a Democrat dealing with a Republican legislative majority and even a Democratic minority who all were distrustful of Justice at the time. Democratic lawmakers were reluctant to follow his lead, and Republicans had no reason to. Now, Justice is on his way out ...

Marshall Memo: Education, and More Education; Reunion; and Meet Daisy

As kids are preparing to return to the classroom, so can adults. Reservations are being taken for the upcoming Marshall County Schools Adult Education classes. Classes are offered on a first-come, first-served basis and class size is limited. No refunds will be given after the first class. Registration is complete only after payment of tuition and/or fees. There must be sufficient enrollment in order to have a class. Classes being offered include Welding, Intro to 3-D printing, and preparation for high school equivalency test. To register please call ...

Electricity’s Shocking Truth

A dear friend of mine is fond of telling the story about the day he learned about electricity. Lots of us are curious, perhaps overly so, of this mysteriously powerful force that flows through wires and then lights and heats and cools our homes, cooks our food, and powers so many things we rely on. My friend thought sneaking up on a smiley-faced outlet in his home and poking a fork into it would be a smashing idea. And so it proved. He was blown — literally — back and I like to imagine his hair curled with little wisps of smoke. All of us here at the Public Service Commission ...

The Republican Party Is Becoming the Party of Labor

President Trump invited the leader of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters to speak at the 2024 Republican National Convention. As a party, Republicans should fully support President Trump’s endorsement of organized labor unions. Three years ago, I created the West Virginia Republican Labor Caucus and was rebuked by some fellow members of my party. Now, we are all witnessing a realignment of American politics after events at the 2024 RNC, with an emphasis on organized labor unions. The Republican Party, an organization historically supportive of the corporate elite, is now ...