Opinion

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

As Congress bypassed, courts must check abuses

An editorial from The Intelligencer/Wheeling News-Register WHEELING, W.Va. — Federal agencies are supposed to evaluate the potential effects of new rules before implementing them. But the Environmental Protection Agency, goaded on by President Barack Obama, has refused – not failed, in a passive sense, but actively refused – to consider[Read More…]

Governor’s budget cuts reveal wrong priorities

An editorial from The Charleston Gazette CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin on Thursday scratched out of the state budget $67 million worth of spending, including funds to help children and families and to prevent domestic violence, and then signed a nice new tax break into law. There was[Read More…]

Governor exercised prudence in cutting budget

An editorial from  The Register-Herald BECKLEY, W.Va. — Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin approved the state budget last week, but not before exercising his power of the veto to slash $67 million from the Legislature’s budget for the next year. Among those cuts was $100,000 that was intended to go to[Read More…]

Let the sun shine in on public’s business

Editor’s note: Sunshine Week, March 16-22, 2014, is a national initiative to promote a dialogue about the importance of open government and freedom of information. An editorial from The Inter-Mountain ELKINS, W.Va. — Openness in government is not a liberal, conservative, Republican, Democrat, Independent, TEA party or Libertarian issue. The[Read More…]

The push for more open government is constant

Editor’s note: Sunshine Week, March 16-22, 2014, is a national initiative to promote a dialogue about the importance of open government and freedom of information. An editorial from the Charleston Daily Mail CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Sunday marked the 263rd anniversary of the birth of James Madison, the father of the[Read More…]

Freedom of speech has consequences

An editorial from the Parkersburg News and Sentinel PARKERSBURG, W.Va. — Many who are upset that Parkersburg South High School science teacher David Foggin has been suspended over comments posted on his Facebook page are using the First Amendment as part of their argument. These folks must realize, however, those[Read More…]

Timely information about money in politics a must

Editor’s note: Sunshine Week, March 16-22, 2014, is a national initiative to promote a dialogue about the importance of open government and freedom of information. This column was published by the Logan Banner. In the McCutcheon v. Federal Election Commission decision likely to be announced soon, the Supreme Court is[Read More…]

Breaking the law — intentionally or otherwise

Editor’s note: Sunshine Week, March 16-22, 2014, is a national initiative to promote a dialogue about the importance of open government and freedom of information. An editorial from The Inter-Mountain ELKINS, W.Va. — When elected officials intentionally refuse to release public information, do they realize they are breaking the law?[Read More…]

W.Va. official’s support of contractor out of line

An editorial from The Herald-Dispatch HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Public officials who have a cloudy understanding about how cozy relationships can raise questions of impropriety should take a lesson from the case of a West Virginia official. Joe Gonzalez, communications director at the state Office of Emergency Medical Services, has been[Read More…]

Keep sunshine on the government

An editorial from The Dominion Post MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — There was a time not so long ago last winter when if you heard mention of Sunshine Week, it got your attention. We ’re hoping it still does today as the sun rises on spring. But more specifically, the Sunshine Week[Read More…]

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