West Virginia editorial roundup

Recent editorials from West Virginia newspapers:

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April 18

The Charleston Daily Mail on the West Virginia Supreme Court:

The more we learn about the goings on at the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals, the worse it seems to get.

The latest is from a state government audit that shows more evidence of questionable spending by justices of the court. The Legislative Auditor reported on vehicle use by justices Allen Loughry and Menis Ketchum.

“The Legislative Auditor finds that the instances documented in this report, taken together with media reports, show a complete lack of regard for the principles of fiscal prudence and responsibility,” auditors wrote in the report released Monday morning, MetroNews reported.

So, in addition to previously reported space-age renovations of Justice Robin Davis’ office costing taxpayers half a million dollars, in addition to Loughry’s $32,000 couch and $7,500 inlaid floor, now we hear that Loughry and Ketchum are spending taxpayer money on personal vehicle use.

“The Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia provides the five justices with exclusive access to three Buicks,” the auditor’s report says. “While the most likely intention for use of the vehicles is for business purposes, such as attending meetings and conferences, visiting circuit courts, or speaking to groups, the Legislative Auditor has found that at least two of the justices have used the vehicles for significant personal use.”

The report goes on to say that Ketchum used a vehicle for more than four years to commute from his home in Huntington and for golf outings in Virginia. Loughry, the report says, used two vehicles, along with additional court vehicles and rental cars on out-of-town trips, for multiple periods of undocumented use.

“The Legislative Auditor questions whether Justice Loughry’s use of the state provided vehicles was all for business purposes. Justice Ketchum’s and Justice Loughry’s use of the vehicles should have been, but was not, included in their respective IRS W-2s as a taxable fringe benefit, although there is evidence to suggest that the justices and their staff knew that the personal use should have been included,” the report says.

To his credit, Ketchum has reimbursed the state more than $1,600 for incorrect travel reimbursements, but that surely does not cover the cost of four years worth of taxpayer-paid commutes.

Loughry has offered no reimbursement and no explanation as to why he used state vehicles over Christmas recesses for multiple years, or why he charged state taxpayers for 2,874 additional travel miles on rental cars during out-of-town trips. “I disagree with the factual and legal assumptions made, the standards and definitions applied, and the conclusions ultimately reached in the draft audit report,” Loughry wrote in a memo.

In the November 2018 general election, there will be a constitutional amendment on the ballot to make the state Supreme Court’s budget, now with no oversight, subject to legislative purview. Actions by the justices revealed in recent news reports are providing strong campaign material in favour of such oversight.

Online: https://www.wvgazettemail.com/

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April 18

The Intelligencer on policy changes to restrict the flow of opioids:

No one wants to deny relief from pain to West Virginians who truly need opioid prescription drugs. So there is a line between limiting their access and shutting down the notorious pill mills that have helped to create the substance abuse crisis in our state.

Clearly, however, that line is nowhere near what had been tolerated, even encouraged, for years. It is nowhere near the 10 million doses of opioid painkillers that were dispensed during an 11-year period by a pharmacy in Boone County, population 22,349.

Fed up with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s lackadaisical attitude toward controlling the flow of prescription opioids into our state and others, W.Va. Attorney General Patrick Morrisey filed a lawsuit against the agency earlier this year.

On Tuesday, U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions, whose jurisdiction includes the DEA, in effect surrendered. Just hours before an important deadline in processing the lawsuit was to occur, Sessions called a press conference to make an important announcement.

Let it be noted that Sessions himself is no bystander when it comes to cracking down on drug abuse. But change comes slowly to the gigantic federal bureaucracy, even when someone as determined to make it happen as Sessions is involved.

Sessions’ announcement involved critical DEA policy changes. In the future, the agency is adopting some of the demands Morrisey made in his lawsuit. By cracking down on pharmaceutical companies that dump enormous amounts of opioids in our state, the new policy should make a difference.

Clearly, Morrisey exerted the kind of pressure understood by the federal bureaucrats. Was it needed? Absolutely.

It was just this week that another lawsuit filed by Morrisey’s office — against the Boone County pharmacy — was settled, for more than $500,000.

Online: http://www.theintelligencer.net/

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April 15

The Exponent Telegram on pipeline projects:

While the Mountain Valley Pipeline will span 303 miles and pass through 11 West Virginia counties on its way to Virginia, much of the recent focus has been in Monroe County.

That’s where a handful of protesters tried to slow progress with tree-cutting efforts needed to clear the pipeline’s pathway. The protesters took to living in trees to keep the development at bay.

While that makes for great theatrics, its gives the perception that the pipeline faces a huge amount of protest. The exact opposite is quite true in most regions, and even in Monroe County, the pipeline has its supporters.

As The State Journal’s Rusty Marks reveals in his story, the pipeline, which remains on schedule, is benefiting Monroe County, just as it is the other counties it passes through.

As Bill Shiflet, a Monroe County real estate agent and farm owner, explains, the protesters don’t really represent the full picture in the rural community.

He sees the value of the pipeline in providing revenue for the county, as well as an economic shot-in-the-arm for those property owners being well paid for easements.

But he understands the concern that some folks have for the pipeline’s impact, especially apprehension about groundwater contamination.

“I would hope, in 2018, they would be able to figure out a way to do it without damaging the water,” Shiflet said.

From all accounts from government agencies that regulate interstate pipeline projects, as well as state and federal officials who oversee various industries’ environmental impacts, the Mountain Valley, as well as the Atlantic Coast pipeline, meets regulations and standards.

And the companies involved in Mountain Valley, led by EQT Midstream Partners, have shown a commitment to doing the projects right, with the goal of being good corporate citizens, as well as successful businesses.

Likewise, the same is true with the Dominion-led Atlantic Coast Pipeline, which received good news on Thursday with Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approval to begin construction in two areas, including Upshur County.

Moving forward, we hope all parties can find a way to bridge differences and work together. Environmentalists and land libertarians have a place to advocate for their positions and work for the best possible solutions.

But it is foolhardy to think there is no need or place for the pipelines in the Mountain State. We are sitting on enough natural gas to power the country for decades to come.

We must find a way to move it to marketplaces that need the gas and we must continue to play a vital role in the country’s energy security, just as we’ve done in the past with coal.

There is no doubt the pipelines will serve to generate thousands of construction jobs, be a huge boost to tax revenues and serve to jumpstart the natural gas companies to resume drilling activity, leading to thousands more jobs.

Every step must be taken to allay environmental concerns and to treat landowners fairly. But the pipelines must proceed. The sooner, the better.

Online: https://www.wvnews.com/