Recent editorials from West Virginia newspapers:
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April 14
The Exponent-Telegram on the probability of the state Legislature going into a special session:
We won’t know until the rules are released later this week or next just how much money West Virginia will receive from the federal stimulus package, but one thing is clear: A special session of the Legislature is probably a sure bet.
Gov. Jim Justice said current projections show the state running a deficit of anywhere between $350 million to $375 million for the fiscal year.
“If you look at it from a purely economic standpoint, West Virginia is going to run a deficit in this year of … somewhere north of $350 million if we continue to be completely shut down for the balance of the (fiscal) year,” he said. “Meaning that revenues that were going to come in, well, they’re not going to come in. That’s all there is to it because all of our businesses, everybody is shut down.”
Justice said he thinks the federal stimulus can plug the state’s budget gap, but he said a special session is possible if lawmakers have to transfer money from the rainy-day fund.
Senate Minority Leader Roman Prezioso, D-Marion, said a special session is “inevitable.”
“We’re going to have to have a special session to either transfer money, appropriate money, to get money out of the rainy-day fund,” Prezioso said. “The problem is getting everybody together. We’d like to see if we would do some kind of call-in or a vote from home or something like that.”
When the budget for the next fiscal year was completed at the end of the regular session, lawmakers included $2 million to be put away in anticipation of the pandemic and its possible effects on the economy. It was not obvious then just how bad the situation would turn out.
The big issue now is how can the Legislature meet in special session without actually gathering at the Capitol.
House Majority Leader Amy Summers, R-Taylor, said House of Delegates staff members are already working on a plan for how to hold a special session while still observing social distancing.
“We’re just going to have to wait another week and see if we are going to need to come in session,” she said. “We are trying to not go in unless it is absolutely necessary.”
Obviously, lawmakers are wary of large groups gathering in the House and Senate chambers.
“I can’t imagine anything more risky at this point in time, when we need to really double down on our efforts to stop this virus in its tracks, than bringing together 134 legislators for a special session,” said Sen. Mike Romano, D-Harrison. “A virtual special session is something we feel could be done and it could be done effectively and successfully.”
The U.S. Supreme Court has plans next month to hear oral arguments over the phone. And if late-night TV talk show hosts can do their shows from home, certainly the Legislature can figure a way to use the latest technology to work remotely.
With the billions of dollars being doled out to the states in the next few weeks, it is imperative that the Legislature gather - even if it’s in cyberspace - to make sure the funds are directed to the right agencies and are spent in a prudent manner.
We have a chance to see that our finances are righted even in the midst of a global pandemic.
Our lawmakers and our governor have an obligation to do just that, even if they have to do it from home.
Online: https://www.wvnews.com
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April 13
The Bluefield Daily Telegraph on continuing Social Security payments amid the coronavirus pandemic:
A frequently asked question among area residents is whether the COVID-19 emergency will cause an interruption in Social Security payments. It won’t. In fact, many area seniors should have already received their April check in the mail.
Social Security Commissioner Andrew Saul released a statement last week assuring recipients all their benefits will continue and on time.
“Social Security will pay monthly benefits on time and these payments will not be affected by the COVID-19 pandemic,” Saul said, adding it also includes SSI (Social Security Income) disability payments.
But Saul is warning area senior citizens to be on the lookout for Social Security related scams during the coronavirus pandemic. He says Social Security recipients should never provide personal information or respond to any offer related to payments via gift cards, wire transfers, internet currency or mailing cash.
“I want our beneficiaries to be aware that scammers may try to trick you into thinking the pandemic is stopping or somehow changing your Social Security payments, but that is not true,” Saul said. “Don’t be fooled.”
Another common question among area residents is whether Social Security recipients will have to take extra steps in order to qualify for the virus stimulus payments being issued by Washington. Individuals who make less than $75,000 a year will receive $1,200 and a couple with an income under $150,000 will receive $2,400. The stimulus funding is designed to help with expenses incurred during the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., Social Security recipients will not need to file an abbreviated tax return and “cash payments will be automatically deposited into their bank accounts.” Others will receive checks in the mails.
“In this global pandemic, the last thing seniors should be worried about is more government bureaucracy keeping them from the assistance they need,” Capito said. “I’m glad Treasury listened to the bipartisan concerns on this issue. West Virginia seniors can rest a little easier knowing their assistance will be in their bank accounts soon.”
Area residents could start receiving the stimulus payments via their direct deposit checking accounts as early as this week.
These, and other steps, are designed to provide some financial relief to seniors, working citizens and families who are struggling due to the COVID-19 crisis. Many workers have been temporarily furloughed after their businesses had to close to comply with “Stay at Home” orders issued in both West Virginia and Virginia. Both states are trying to slow the spread of this highly contagious virus.
The good news is that Social Security payments will continue as normal without interruption. And additional financial help will soon be on the way once the federal stimulus payments arrive.
Online: https://www.bdtonline.com
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April 10
The Charleston Gazette-Mail on possible funding cuts to programs benefitting miners and those at risk for black lung disease:
Black lung is a terrible disease that afflicts coal miners, and case numbers recently hit a 25-year high.
A buildup of deposits in the lungs - in more recent cases, mostly from unregulated levels of silica dust spread through the air as miners cut through sandstone to reach depleted coal seams - shuts down the ability to breathe, essentially suffocating miners to death over a period of years. Physical activity becomes exhausting. Some, eventually, can’t even walk far without having to sit. They cough up bits of lung in fits. They go on oxygen. They die before their time.
The federal fund that provides benefits for the men and women who do dangerous work underground in states such as West Virginia has been in danger of becoming insolvent. The fund is already $4 billion in debt to the U.S. Treasury, having to borrow money to stay alive. A heap of recent coal company bankruptcies has seen executives attempting to ditch their responsibilities to the miners in other ways, by trying to shave promised health benefits and pensions.
Now, as the coronavirus swallows the United States, coal operators are lobbying the Senate to lower the tax they pay to help fund black lung benefits, according to The Washington Post.
The National Mining Association, including the six largest coal operators not currently in bankruptcy and smaller companies, last month called on Congress to slash the excise tax for the fund by 55%. The group says other industries are asking government for a break amid the pandemic and benefits and health care for retired miners would be unaffected.
But miners’ advocates argue that the fund already is in financial peril, and doctors warn that people with impaired lung function are more vulnerable to COVID-19.
This effort to wriggle out of paying about $1.10 per ton of coal extracted from underground (55 cents for surface coal) shouldn’t surprise anyone - in good times and bad, coal companies are always looking to shed taxes - but it’s still a callous and opportunistic exercise. Trying to get the federal government to bail out coal operators’ contribution to the fund again shows misplaced priorities. It undervalues the coal miner and the absolute agony and horror of black lung.
Even in a time of pandemic, coal operators know this is a political game. While Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., has been leading opposition to the coal companies’ distasteful gambit, the decider will be Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. As The Post piece points out, McConnell has to weigh the interests of the miners who are his constituents against those of coal companies that have helped bankroll him throughout his political career.
It shouldn’t be like this. Miners have made sacrifices to their health that have taken years off their lives to earn a check while stuffing the bank accounts of corporate entities and executives. The least those corporations could do is honor their end of the bargain.
Online: https://www.wvgazettemail.com
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