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Waiver

Gov. Jim Justice claims there was no reason for lawmakers to have cut so much from the budget after learning the state was waiting for a federal waiver they say they knew nothing about. But taxpayers can’t blame them for it. They did exactly the right thing. Now, with waiver in-hand, Justice would like lawmakers to come back to Charleston to restore what they cut. Maybe there are easy line items to restore. The attention-grabbing Medicaid and intellectual and developmental disability waiver program shouldn’t be too tough for politicians to work out. But that doesn’t mean they ...

Accountability

One has to wonder what it would take to shake politicians and bureaucrats out of their default mode of protecting themselves before protecting children or holding themselves (or their friends) accountable. Clearly not even the death of a child in Boone County is enough. For years now, too many public officials have chosen to misinterpret the law — and to improperly instruct their staffs — under the pretense of protecting children. It’s their go-to excuse these days, isn’t it? But now, the law they say protects kids is being used to hide information that might prevent another ...

Concerns

It’s easy to be a brave, “freedom”-loving opponent of vaccines when it seems as though there is no immediate danger. But a report by WCHS out of Monongalia County reminds us such a stance is risky and damaging all the time. West Virginia has for years done better than any other state in creating laws and policy that give some protection to our children, our families, our schools, churches and communities. In fact, before Sunday, there had not been a measles case in the state since 2009. WCHS reported measles had been declared essentially eradicated in 2000. Our strict school ...

Evolving

A few West Virginians will cheer West Virginia State Treasurer Riley Moore’s latest announcement that his office has added even more financial institutions to his list of those ineligible for state banking contracts. But there is more to consider than just a little backward-looking political theater. Citigroup, TD Bank, the Northern Trust Company and HSBC Holdings now join BlackRock, Goldman Sachs Group, JPMorgan Chase and Co., Morgan Stanley and Wells Fargo and Co. on the list of those that have, as Moore’s office puts it, boycotted fossil fuels companies. So, Moore thinks the ...

National Guard

For many Mountain State residents, their knowledge of the work of the West Virginia National Guard begins and ends at disaster response and recovery. Maybe we know a little about the work that was done during the COVID-19 pandemic, or when other states ask for our help. Far less familiar are the international relationships the West Virginia National Guard builds through the State Partnership Program. Last month, Maj. Gen. William Crane, adjutant general of the West Virginia National Guard, joined a delegation that met in Peru. Officials discussed everything from upcoming humanitarian ...

Boos & Applause

Applause to the organizers of the 2024 Earth Day Celebration in Elkins City Park today from noon to 2 p.m., rain or shine. Participating groups include Elkins Tree Board, Tygart Valley Master Naturalists, Master Gardener Volunteers, Interact Children’s Museum, Project Learning Tree, Friends of Trees, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, U.S. Forestry Service, Our Town, Centers Against Violence, Mountain Heart & Birth to Three, Appalachian National Forest Heritage Area, Plant the Seed, Elkins Area Shared Trails (EAST), Emma Scott Garden Club, and GREENWORKS of Davis & Elkins College. Woodsy ...