Local Columns

Extremists From Both Sides Threaten Nation’s Future

Throughout my career in public service, especially as West Virginia’s governor and U.S. senator, I have looked for every opportunity possible to change my state and country for the better by bringing everyone to the negotiating table, no matter their political beliefs. As part of that mission, and for more than a decade, I have fully embraced the unique role I play as a centrist because, like so many Americans, I believe that our partisan politics are tearing this nation apart at the seams. And like so many Americans, I’m sick and tired of it, and it’s why I spoke at a No Labels ...

Local News Is Good for Small Businesses, Communities

It’s no secret that recent years have been tough on small businesses and on newspapers. A bipartisan bill, the “Community News & Small Business Support Act,” that has been introduced in Congress would offer relief to both newspapers and local businesses. For too many newspapers, help can’t come soon enough. Economic challenges have resulted in too many communities seeing their local newspapers being forced to lay off staff, cut back on publication days or — worse yet — close. On average, two newspapers are closing each week. That hurts local businesses and residents in the ...

Manchin Faces Difficult Choice

U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin is between a rock and a hard place. I don’t envy the choice he will ultimately have to make, likely as soon as the end of the year. Manchin, D-W.Va., is up for reelection in 2024 for a third six-year term as the state’s senior senator. He’s been in the Senate since winning a special election to succeed the late Sen. Robert C. Byrd, who died in office. While once one of West Virginia’s most popular elected officials, things have changed for Manchin. When he first stepped down as governor halfway through his second term, most West Virginians were ...

Recommendation: Go to a Ballgame This Summer

A few weeks ago, I was humbled and honored to attend a Pittsburgh Pirates game with a great bunch of pastors and community leaders. I don’t remember the last time I have been to a game. I am sure I have been in the last three years, but it was not anytime recent. I have taken close to 100 kids to the game from our annual children’s camp on several school buses more than once. I must admit I cannot remember anything about the game, because I was always checking on the kids. I was so tired that night I felt like I had played the game and may have needed to sleep for a few days. The ...

Congress Needs To Pass Comprehensive Permitting Reform. Now.

America is stuck in a perpetual permitting crisis. It inhibits our ability to deliver the critical infrastructure our country needs to remain competitive in a rapidly changing world. There is growing bipartisan recognition that to rebuild and modernize our infrastructure and supply chains — from roads and bridges to renewable projects and the mines that supply them — we must have permitting reform. And there is some progress to report. Targeted changes in the debt-ceiling deal — such as tightening the scope and timetable for environmental reviews — are important steps ...

A Look at Lobbying in West Virginia

Over the past week I wrote a couple of articles looking at spending by lobbyists and on lobbyists when it comes to the West Virginia Legislature. I think I was fair in both pieces. The goal wasn’t to cast aspersions on any particular lobbyist or even say their actions were bad. It was merely an act of simple transparency for you, the reader. Lobbyists can get a bad rap sometimes. There are certainly some incidents, both in West Virginia and nationally, that have garnered negative headlines over the years. The Jack Abramoff scandal that saw former Republican Ohio Congressman Bob ...