Opinion

The Editorial category is a roundup of links to editorials and columns from West Virginia newspapers.

Governor right to veto concealed carry bill

An editorial from The Times West Virginian FAIRMONT, W.Va. — Legislation regarding firearms always brings strong opinions and debate. The Second Amendment, obviously, has overwhelming support in West Virginia. The Firearms Act of 2015, Senate Bill 347, passed with broad support by the West Virginia Legislature, but it was vetoed by[Read More…]

Editorial: Special session of the legislature isn’t warranted

The Herald-Dispatch of Huntington: Some West Virginia lawmakers are pushing for a special session of the legislature, presumably to allow an override of Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin’s veto of one controversial bill and perhaps for other reasons that aren’t so evident. The necessity for a special session hardly seems clear;[Read More…]

Op-Ed: Legislative session a refreshing change with progress on key issues

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Given the tide-turning November elections and the exceptional class of incoming legislators, expectations were high for the 81st Legislature. Now that the 2015 session is complete, it is the opinion of many Capitol-watchers that we have witnessed the most productive and efficiently run 60-day legislative session the[Read More…]

Protecting access to public information vital

An editorial from The Herald-Dispatch HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — A cornerstone of government in America is that an informed public will do a better job of selecting leaders and be in a better position to resist actions that run counter to the best interests of the people. To be informed, those[Read More…]

Agriculture chief leaves a great legacy

An editorial from the Parkersburg News and Sentinel PARKERSBURG, W.Va. — Across the Mountain State, praise is pouring in for the man who guided West Virginia’s agricultural efforts longer than any other state agricultural commissioner in the country. As friends and family mourn the loss of Gus Douglass, who died[Read More…]

Legislative session was productive

An editorial from The Intelligencer/Wheeling News-Register    WHEELING, W.Va. — Republicans newly in control of the West Virginia Legislature were disappointed in some of their initiatives this winter – but still put together an important package of reforms. It needs to be noted that while Democrat lawmakers fought tooth and nail on[Read More…]

Eroding your right to know

An editorial from The Intelligencer/Wheeling News-Register WHEELING, W.Va. — West Virginia’s Freedom of Information Act is a strong defense of the people’s right to know what our government is doing. But behind the scenes, local and state officials have been undermining that right for years. Chapter 29B of the state code[Read More…]

Access to public information is under attack

An editorial from The Register-Herald  BECKLEY, W.Va. — This week is “Sunshine Week,” and we’re not talking about the weather. Sunshine Week is shorthand for the right of, not just the media, but any American citizen to demand transparency from both our elected officials and our unelected bureaucrats. The tool we use[Read More…]

Unnecessary Freedom of Information Act fees

Editor’s note: Sunshine Week, March 15-21, 2015, is a national initiative to promote a dialogue about the importance of open government and freedom of information. Last year, a FOIA requester filed a Freedom of Information Act request with the Drug Enforcement Administration asking for information about the DEA’s role in the search[Read More…]

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

And get our latest content in your inbox

Invalid email address