Recent editorials from West Virginia newspapers:
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Oct. 24
Charleston Gazette on state Supreme Court elections:
As early voting for the Nov. 6 election begins…, West Virginia voters will face a dizzying array of choices on federal, state and local races, as well as two proposed amendments to the state Constitution.
But it’s likely that no race will have as wide-ranging consequences as those for two open seats on the West Virginia Supreme Court.
Republicans at the highest levels of state government have used every device available to them to get their preferred justices on the court, including a political overreach of an impeachment.
In August, two Republican career politicians, Evan Jenkins and Tim Armstead, were appointed to the court by Republican Gov. Jim Justice. The governor could have appointed two caretaker justices who weren’t running in this election. Instead, he tried to give the GOP’s preferred candidates a leg up.
The attempted political takeover of the Supreme Court must be stopped. West Virginia voters can do it in this election, by showing the politicians they’ll make their own choices, regardless of attempts to stack the deck.
Online: https://www.wvgazettemail.com/
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Oct. 24
The Intelligencer Wheeling News-Register on road salt price increases:
You may want to polish up your winter driving skills. Roads may be slipperier this winter than in the past.
That is because many local governments are being informed of gigantic price increases for the salt many use to treat icy and snowy streets and highways. Just a few days ago, trustees of Wells Township in Jefferson County were informed they will have to pay $96.66 per ton for salt this year. Last year’s low bid was just $58.37.
Other local government entities have received similar bids. Some are planning to cut back on salt and use more cinders to treat roads and streets.
Various factors, including a lengthy strike at a salt mine in Canada, are being blamed for the higher prices. Indeed, unforeseen circumstances can mean shortages and higher prices for many products.
Still, this one bears looking into, perhaps by some attorneys general in affected states.
Online: http://www.theintelligencer.net/
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Oct. 22
The Herald-Dispatch of Huntington on proposed state constitution amendments:
West Virginians who go to the polls in the Nov. 6 general election will be asked to vote on two proposed amendments to the state’s constitution.
One, labeled Amendment 1, seeks to clarify that nothing in the constitution secures or protects a right to abortion or requires the use of tax money to pay for abortions.
The other, Amendment 2, aims to give the state legislature authority over the state judiciary budget. Currently, the Legislature has no control over that budget, which is in the exclusive control of the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals.
In our view, Amendment 1 is an overreach and does not merit passage, while recent events involving spending by Supreme Court justices make a strong case for the merits of Amendment 2.
Amendment 1
Amendment 1 relates to a subject that elicits strong emotions from both pro-life advocates and pro-choice proponents. The proposal itself is worded this way: “Nothing in this Constitution secures or protects a right to abortion or requires the funding of abortion.”
Those opposed to the amendment have labeled Amendment 1 as “an unprecedented attack on women’s rights” that would take “away a woman’s ability to get safe and legal care in our state.” Some say it would make abortion illegal in West Virginia. Those contentions are overstated; the proposed amendment does not reach that far, although it could eventually lead to such ramifications.
However, the fact is that in the United States, abortion currently is legal, as established by the U.S. Supreme Court in the 1973 Roe v. Wade case. The passage of this constitutional amendment would not change that. It’s also the reason that passage of this constitutional amendment is unwarranted, particularly so because it relates to a deeply personal decision between a women and her doctor.
Those opposed to abortion have high hopes that the appointment of Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court may someday lead to the day that the Roe v. Wade decision is overturned, thus paving the way for states to outlaw abortion, at least elective abortions. If that occurs, then the West Virginia Legislature at that time can move to put more restrictions on abortion if a majority of lawmakers feel it is warranted. Meanwhile, this amendment to the constitution is unnecessary.
Amendment 2
Amendment 2, or the West Virginia Legislative Authority over Budgeting for State Judiciary Amendment, came about after revelations this year of what many considered extravagant spending by at least some Supreme Court justices. One, Allen Loughry, was convicted of 11 criminal counts in federal court this month, including using state cars and gas cards for his personal benefit, making false statements, mail fraud and witness tampering. Another, Menis Ketchum, pleaded guilty in August to a fraud charge related to his use of a state vehicle and gas card related to a 2014 golf trip to Virginia. The three other justices were impeached by the House of Delegates.
The Legislature now has final authority over the state budget except for budget items related to the state judiciary. West Virginia is the only state that prohibits its legislature from reducing the budget of the state judiciary, according to Steve Canterbury, former administrative director of the state Supreme Court.
Amendment 2 would change that. It would give the Legislature the authority to reduce the budget of the state judiciary or any item in the budget, provided that the overall budget of the state judiciary was reduced to no less than 85 percent of the judiciary’s budget in the previous fiscal year.
Supreme Court justices themselves, as well as other critics of the measure, argue that the proposal would undermine the separation of powers among the three branches of government and erode the judiciary’s independence.
However, there’s little evidence that has happened in other states. But there has been ample evidence of financial abuses in West Virginia.
Amendment 2 warrants a “for” vote.
Online: http://www.herald-dispatch.com/
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