Local Columns

Understanding How W.Va. Chamber Scores Lawmakers

On April 3, the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce rolled out its annual legislative scorecard. This annual project shows how members of the West Virginia Legislature — regardless of party — vote on issues that will affect job creation, workforce participation, education outcomes and many other issues vital to our state. In our state, the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce is the clear and undisputed voice of business. The Chamber’s members can be found in all 55 counties and collectively employ over half of West Virginia’s workforce. Our members are the businesses that drive ...

Cannonball Right Into The Deep End

If the West Virginia governor’s race is a swimming pool, Republican Attorney General Patrick Morrisey’s entrance into the race was akin to that one kid yelling “cannonball” before jumping into the deep end. Between a three-day announcement tour last week and two independent groups pledging millions of dollars on Morrisey’s behalf, he certainly did make a big splash, becoming the latest entrant into the governor’s race. With the conservative Club for Growth and Black Bear PAC (a pro-Morrisey political action committee whose leader is an older Morrisey political operative) ...

The Hope of Something Better on the Horizon

Most authorities agree that a missionary, Mr. Roberts, first introduced the lovely Bermuda Easter lily, which so many of us enjoy today. Many of the Easter lilies that symbolize the Resurrection in churches everywhere are Bermuda lilies. Thousands and thousands of lily bulbs and stems are exported from Bermuda each year. They were first introduced to Bermuda about 1850 when Mr. Roberts, whose ministry coincides with that date, was returning home from Japan. The lily is a native of Japan—the Ryukyu Islands to be exact. Mr. Robert’s lily did very well when he transplanted it in ...

Marshall Memo: Veterans’ Flags; ‘If the Shoe Fits’; Bridges; and Pies in the Face

The deadline for ordering flags for the annual Cameron American Legion Post No. 18 Honor a Veteran is May 1. This will be the seventh year for this undertaking and each year the numbers of flags has increased. In 2017 the number of flags was 370 and last year there were 1,227 displayed on Veterans Park. This year the flags will remain in place from May 24 through May 31. Those wishing to purchase a flag ($5) can pay at the American Legion or they can send their payment to Cameron American Legion Post No. 18, P.O. Box 235, Cameron, WV 26033. The speaker for the Memorial Day ...

Government Inaction Hinders Energy Opportunities

Appalachia, the country’s largest natural gas-producing region, is a core part of American energy security. The natural gas safely developed across Ohio and West Virginia has been central to the economic and environmental revival of our region, and now, we have the opportunity to do much more. In fact, we can become the epicenter of America’s clean energy future — but the federal government needs to step up and allow us to do it. The Ohio River Valley’s unmatched energy abundance, combined with our manufacturing prowess and industrial ties, make the Basin a prime candidate to ...

Community Banks Distinct From Speculators

The financial sector has been under intense scrutiny after the failure of two large financial institutions that specialized in high-risk industries, such as the cryptocurrency sector. Some depositors in local communities might be wondering what this means for their hard-earned money. But consumers — and policymakers in Washington — must distinguish between community banks like those in West Virginia and across the U.S., many of which have been serving consumers and small businesses for more than 100 years, and these very large banks with a much different business model and risk ...