By Dr. Tracy Pellett President of Glenville State College The teacher shortage in West Virginia has reached the “crisis” stage. There are now more than 1,000 teacher vacancies across the state. The sad fact is that many West Virginia students will not receive the quality education they deserve by[Read More…]
Opinion
The Editorial category is a roundup of links to editorials and columns from West Virginia newspapers.
Opinion: Fighting to keep public notices in newspapers
The public loses out when government makes it harder to find out what it’s doing By Maryanne Reed Dean of WVU Reed College of Media For Nieman Reports at Harvard University Reading public notice ads in the classifieds is about exciting as watching paint dry, but it’s necessary reading for some.[Read More…]
Opinion: W.Va. Senate omnibus education bill draws attention
By Phil Kabler For the West Virginia Press Association Week three of the 60-day regular session saw the unveiling of a massive, 144-page omnibus education bill, whose release had been anticipated since the start of the session. While it includes a second round of 5 percent on average pay raises[Read More…]
Opinion: Senate President Carmichael says data indicates W.Va. public education system needs reform.
By Mitch B. Carmichael West Virginia Senate President There is no greater responsibility of state government than to provide a thorough education for our children. Thomas Jefferson felt so strongly about the importance of public education that he wrote the following: “I think by far the most important bill in[Read More…]
Opinion: Senate Democrats issue statement on Education Reform Plan
Rushed Education Bill Insults the Democratic Process From the Senate Minority Caucus: On Thursday, the Republican caucus of the West Virginia Senate revealed its education reform plan. Less than 24 hours later, members of the Education Committee were asked to vote on it. Instead of introducing the bill through the[Read More…]
Editorial: W.Va. sports betting tax too low?
From the Weirton Daily Times: Last year, West Virginia legislators made a multi-million-dollar wager. They bet gambling interests would not be inclined to offer sports betting in states with high tax rates on the business. They lost. Lawmakers were told last week that it is too early to say with[Read More…]
Editorial: Legal notices vital for an informed W.Va. citizenry
From The Herald Dispatch of Huntington: If someone living just down the street planned to open a business that might change the nature of your neighborhood, you would want to know about that. The same is likely true if a government entity planned to build a road through your property[Read More…]
OPINION: Free community college bill shouldn’t be a pissing contest
The Daily Athenaeum The West Virginia Senate unanimously passed a free community and technical college bill on Thursday. While the bill would still need to pass the House and get signed by the governor, it’s a big step for the state’s youth. West Virginia has a graduation rate of 90[Read More…]
EDITORIAL: Martin Luther King Jr. Day: Hate incident shows how much work remains
The Parkersburg News and Sentinel “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” Today we remember the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., and events last week show the need to reflect on his mission and ministry is[Read More…]
OPINION: Marijuana: Agency flexibility needed for finances
The Parkersburg News and Sentinel Two marijuana issues are on the agenda for West Virginia legislators this winter. One — whether to legalize the drug for recreational use — is and should be controversial. The other, regarding use of the plant’s active ingredient for medicinal purposes, is not open to[Read More…]