Bright Shiny Objects

That's what Statehouse veterans call a peculiar strain of legislation that captivates lawmakers well beyond the scope of its potential impact.

Oftentimes, the bill is not on any agenda but somehow still manages to grab a higher profile than measures that are. Critics may consider them distractions, but they can end up changing the dynamic of a session.

Sometimes, they expose West Virginia to ridicule, regardless of their merits. An example; 1998's "Road Kill Bill," which proposed allowing motorists to keep wildlife felled by vehicles. It is now the law. Don Imus, among others, had a field day.

This session's Bright Shiny Object is the resolution urging Gov. Joe Manchin to change the greeting on state welcome signs from "Open for Business" to "Wild, Wonderful."

As I noted when The Associated Press reported on this last week, "Wild, Wonderful" has not been on highway welcome signs since the administration of Gov. Gaston Caperton (1989-1997).

Caperton had pushed to adopt a new slogan, "A Welcome Change," starting with the state license plate. The public was about as thrilled at that as they seem to be by "Open for Business."

Drawn from his 2004 campaign for governor, Manchin proposed it as a welcome slogan the following year. He then unveiled a revamped highway sign during his 2006 State of the State address.

Manchin's new signs were added to 114 crossings along major highways, according to state officials. These officials note that Caperton's successor, Gov. Cecil Underwood, restored "Wild, Wonderful" at about 80 other, minor border crossings.

All 11 Senate Republicans have co-sponsored the pending resolution. Democrats have proposed polling state residents on the topic. The resolution's supporters cite an online petition begun last year that targets "Open for Business," calling it "ridiculous."

The petition received some press in October, when it attracted 25,000 names within about a month. It has added nearly 4,000 more since then (it does contain duplicates). Both the petition and the resolution sum up the supporters' sentiments.

Team Manchin will likely respond as they have to other recent challenges: by pointing to the results of the November elections and the 83 percent approval rating the governor enjoyed among voters.

Other reports on the slogan slugout can be found here and here.