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…]
Opinion
The Editorial category is a roundup of links to editorials and columns from West Virginia newspapers.
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…]
Legislature flops
An editorial from The Charleston Gazette CHARLESTON, W.Va. — After two months of struggle, the 2015 Legislature ended Saturday night with many proposals slipping down the drain. Here are some losers: ■ CHARTER SCHOOLS — A plan for private-run public schools died after a House committee voted to let the[Read More…]
Legislature improves state’s business climate
An editorial from the Charleston Daily Mail CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Expectations were high for the first session of the 82nd Legislature. After 83 years of the state being controlled by a Democratic majority, was it reasonable for observers to expect that everything that ails the state business climate to be fixed[Read More…]
State should stand firm on 180-day school rule
An editorial from The Herald-Dispatch HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — West Virginia has long had a law on the books that its public schools should provide 180 days of instruction each school year. But, as it often turned out, that seemed to be more of a suggestion than a mandate. Restrictions on[Read More…]
Remembering the life of Shaggy the dog
A column and obituary by Beth Sergent of The Point Pleasant Register POINT PLEASANT, W.Va. — A dog’s life, like that of a human’s, can take many twists and turns in our search for what, and who, we truly call home. A friend recently told me dogs should live as long[Read More…]
Americans’ right to receive information vital
An editorial from The Times-West Virginian FAIRMONT, W.Va. — “Open government is good government” is again the theme for Sunshine Week, which runs through Saturday. It was launched in 2005, and the focus is on the importance of access to public information and what it means to the providers of this[Read More…]
State board’s 180-day waiver process a mistake
An editorial from The Dominion Post MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Ah, spring, when a school board’s fancy turns to … vacations and summer? At least that’s what appears to be on the minds of the state Board of Education (BOE). This week the state BOE approved a waiver process that gives county school districts[Read More…]
