An editorial from The Exponent Telegram
CLARKSBURG, W.Va. — With the announcement of 16 additional cities — including five in North Central West Virginia — allowed to participate in the Home Rule program, it will be interesting to see where this experiment in government leads.
With the goal of improving government and making it more responsive to citizens, Home Rule is designed to give elected officials closest to the citizenry more authority.
And we applaud the 16 new cities that join with the original four that have had Home Rule capability for the past five years and will continue in the program.
Bridgeport was among the original four, with Clarksburg, Shinnston, Buckhannon, Fairmont and Morgantown now among the 20.
In theory, Home Rule makes sense. If residents don’t like something local council members are doing, they know where to find them to voice their displeasure.
So it will be interesting to see how some of the cities with increased authority handle the controversial topic of sales tax increases…