Hearing their concerns: Justice weighs in on current state of public employees in Eastern Panhandle

Justice held public forums across the state Monday to speak with teachers and state personnel; stops included Spring Mills, Wheeling and Morgantown.

“I know you are underpaid … I got it,” Justice said. “I’m the guy that ran in with the flag when things got tough and said education should be the centerpiece. A year ago, I said ‘we need to give our teachers a 2 percent pay raise.’ What legislator stood beside me and made sure we got that done? There were hardly any — Democrat or Republican. There’s 2-1-1 pay raise on the table. If you look at the books, and you are a business guy, you would believe as I believe that is the best we can do right now.”