DUI

The Associated Press's Tom Breen provides some context to last week's horrific drunken driving crash that killed five people and injured seven.

For "people with drunken driving convictions — even those with suspended licenses — getting behind the wheel is not an isolated phenomenon," Breen reports. "Many states have 'loopholes' in their laws that allow people convicted of drunken driving to regain their licenses fairly quickly."

They Voted For You: Immigration

U.S. Rep. Shelley Moore Capito, R-2nd, led the vote to recommit a housing-related bill to the House Committee on Financial Services, which amended the bill to require personal identification from all adults before they can receive rental housing assistance under section 8(o) of the United States Housing Act of 1937.

The motion to recommit passed 233-186. Reps. Alan Mollohan, D-1st, and Nick Rahall, D-3rd, voted against the motion.

Capito, Rahall and Mollohan all voted for passage of the bill, which aims to "reform the housing choice voucher program under section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937. It passed 333-83.

The Charleston Gazette has an article on the vote.

Table Games - Kanawha County

The Kanawha County Commission voted 2-1 Thursday to endorse table games for Nitro's Tr-State Racetrack and Gaming Center, in advance of the Aug. 11 special election.

The Associated Press was there, as was The Charleston Gazette and MetroNews (with audio).

As these press accounts reports, the lengthy evening meeting offered a showcase of the debate and the opposing forces. Supporters and foes helped pack the commission courtroom and also lined the street outside, replete with T-shirts and signs.

But among the 21 who chose to address the commissioners before the vote, pro-table games speakers outnumbered opponents 15-6. Nevertheless, both sides are expected to continue their campaigns as the election draws near. Early voting begins July 20.

They Voted For You: Iraq

U.S. Reps. Alan Mollohan, D-1st, and Nick Rahall, D-3rd, helped their party pass the "Responsible Redeployment from Iraq Act" Thursday.

Its goals include "To require the Secretary of Defense to commence the reduction of the number of United States Armed Forces in Iraq to a limited presence by April 1, 2008."

Rep. Shelley Moore Capito, R-2nd, voted against the measure, which prevailed 223-201 almost entirely along party lines.

The Associated Press has an audio report, as well as this article providing context to the vote and the day's other Iraq-related political developments.

W.Va. Figures in NRC Sting

Congressional investigators picked West Virginia as the home of a bogus company they used to get the necessary license from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission "to buy enough radioactive material for a small 'dirty bomb,' The Associated Press reports.

"Nobody at the NRC checked whether the company was legitimate and an agency official even helped the investigators fill out the application form," the AP article said, citing an interview with Sen. Norm Coleman, R-Minn.

Also of interest from the article: "The GAO also tried to get a license from the state of Maryland, one of 34 states that the NRC has given authority to handle such licensing. Unlike the NRC, the Maryland officials said they wanted to visit the company, so the investigators withdrew their application."

The AP's H. Josef Hebert, who once worked out of the Charleston bureau, wrote the story.

In its version, The Washington Post focuses on West Virginia's role in the lead paragraph, and then explains the sting operation's rationale:

"they focused the sting on West Virginia in part to show how close to the nation's capital a terrorist could build a bomb. Such proximity would reduce the chance of detection during transport to a target...In addition, by operating from West Virginia, the GAO undercover investigators were required to deal directly with the NRC. That's because West Virginia is one of more than a dozen states...that don't have their own system for issuing licenses for the handling of radioactive material and monitoring those who apply for them."

State Capitol Security

...should soon feature metal gates at all entrance roads and additional security cameras, The Charleston Gazette reports.

The Capitol Building Commission has approved measures that would extend the campus'
electronic access card access system to these new gates, which would be locked during off hours.

"Gates at main entrances will have surveillance cameras and intercoms to allow visitors to talk to security personnel," the Gazette reports.

The Gazette goes on to say that "Concerns about Capitol security were heightened this spring after two impaired drivers drove their cars onto the grounds — resulting in significant damage to the Veterans Memorial in one case." (Background here.)

Ireland Out in 2008

Secretary of State Betty Ireland will not be on the 2008 ballot, for her current office or any other, she announced earlier today.

The Associated Press has the story. I note that besides being the first woman elected to West Virginia's executive branch, Ireland had won praise from would-be '08 challengers and had been touted by national GOP figures as congressional material.

Others with the story include The Charleston Gazette, the Charleston Daily Mail, MetroNews (Ireland announced her decision on Talkline) and West Virginia Media.

A Question of Residency - UPDATED

The issue re-emerged (see below) earlier this month, with a passing reference in an article in The Register-Herald of Beckley.

While describing his plan to announce for secretary of state, Senate Majority Whip Billy Wayne Bailey, D-Wyoming, said he had moved to Beckley.

The article noted that the state bars more than one senator from residing in any given county (in a multi-county district), but Bailey said he could reside in Raleigh County "even though the county already has a senator — fellow Democrat Mike Green."

“Sure I can,” Bailey told the newspaper. “I just can’t run for senator again.”

The Register-Herald followed up this week, by citing provisions of the West Virginia Constitution that appear to raise questions about Bailey's ability to retain the seat from Raleigh County.

Bailey told the newspaper that he can claim residency in both counties.

“I’ve got a post office box in Pineville and I can claim a residence at my mother’s house in Alpoca,” Bailey told the newspaper, while also citing his job at Wyoming County's senior center.

But as The Associated Press reports today, Gov. Joe Manchin raised similar arguments while a delegate seeking to run for the state Senate in 1984. The state Supreme Court rejected his claims, and that of a second Senate candidate, before knocking them both off the ballot.

The justices concluded that Manchin and his family lived in the wrong district, and found that the deciding factor. That ruling also says that senators "must be residents of both the county and the district from which they are elected."

(Manchin changed his residency after the ruling, and won the Senate seat in the following election of 1986.)

Update: My apologies to Phil Kabler and The Charleston Gazette. He ran an item about Bailey's residency, "WYOMING DELEGATE IN NAME ONLY?", way back in January.

Kabler cited an August 2006 deed filing by Bailey and his wife for a $160,000 house in Beckley. He also reported that their children enrolled in Raleigh County schools that fall.

Bailey told Kabler that his family "moved there after they determined that the cost of the mortgage payment was less than the $900 a month his wife was spending for gas to commute from their home in Pineville to her job in Beckley."

Mollohan's Legal Bills Cited

Citing allegations that sparked an apparently ongoing FBI inquiry, The Politico web site found that "Rep. Alan B. Mollohan (D-W.Va.) paid a Washington law firm more than $22,000 during the past three months."

The Politico found the payments to Kellogg, Huber, Hansen, Todd, Evans & Figel in the 1st District congressman's latest campaign finance report.

Former Governor Slated For Honor

Former Gov. Gaston Caperton is in line to receive the "James Bryant Conant Award from the Education Commission of the States," which The Charleston Gazette describes as a prize granted for “significant contributions to the quality of education in the United States.”

Caperton, a Democrat who was elected governor in 1988 and 1992, is president of the national College Board, "which administers SAT tests and Advanced Placement high school courses."

Early W.Va. Poll #s - Updated

A Republican-oriented polling outfit has surveyed 400 likely Mountain State voters to check the waters in advance of 2008. Host Hoppy Kercheval of MetroNews' Talkline presented some of the numbers in online columns Monday and today, and also talked about them on yesterday's show.

The May survey by Fabrizio, McLaughlin and Associates offers favorable and negative ratings for the major presidential hopefuls, and asked voters to choose between a generic Democrat and Republican for president.

It also quizzed respondents about their political leanings, and had them weigh hypothetical '08 matchups between specific presidential candidates.

In his follow-up column today, Kercheval shares numbers reflecting Iraq as an issue for would-be voters, and President Bush's approval rating.

Kercheval told his listeners Monday that the poll was commissioned by John Raese, his employer at MetroNews and the unsuccessful challenger to U.S. Sen. Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va., in 2006. The former state GOP chairman has been touted as a possible opponent to Sen. Jay Rockefeller in 2008.

Update: Though no results appear available, it seems that the poll did indeed ask about a potential Raese-Rockefeller match-up. Reader responses indicate the poll also sought opinions of Rep. Shelley Moore Capito, R-2nd, and asked about party registration, abortion, gun ownership, religion and church attendance.

The Wire

For my "Capital Focus" piece this week for The Associated Press, I took a crack at the most-debated ruling from the latest term of the state Supreme Court.

The 3-2 ruling in State v. Mullens concluded that the search and seizure protections in the West Virginia Constitution require a warrant for an informant to enter a suspect's home while wired for electronic surveillance.

Law enforcement object to the ruling, as it leaves them with only five circuit judges statewide with the power to issue the necessary warrants. Gov. Joe Manchin has been urged to add the issue to a special session agenda, and he's weighing his options.

I try to point out that the 50-page ruling reflects research into how the other states have approached electronic surveillance. Only a relative handful have statutes or court decision that speak to sending a wired informant into someone's home, this research found.

If they are inclined to react to it, the ruling offers lawmakers and Manchin several options. In Wisconsin, for instance, a similar decision prompted legislation to create an exception allowing wired informants into homes without warrants in felony drug investigations. Florida voters responded by amending that state's constitution.

I also note that this hot-potato decision overrules a previous Supreme Court opinion, an infrequent event. Interestingly, lawyers for both the defendant and prosecutors missed this 1986 opinion in presenting their arguments to the court. Each also cited only a few of the 15 or so court cases from other states that address the issue.

Representing Boone County prosecutors in the appeal, the attorney general's office did cite the severely critical dissents that rulings in some of these other states had sparked. The same proved true in West Virginia: Justices Brent Benjamin and Elliott "Spike" Maynard each lambasted the majority in separate dissents to the Mullens decision.

The Register-Herald of Beckley follows up by asking Manchin about the prospects for a special legislative session. And then there's this take by West Virginia Media.

Table Games: Kanawha County

Church groups made a major pitch to Kanawha County voters Sunday, urging them to deny casino table games for Tri-State Racetrack & Gaming in the Aug. 11 special election.

The Associated Press has a story, as does both The Charleston Gazette and Charleston Daily Mail.

The Wheeling News-Register, meanwhile, throws out some revenue figures to question whether the state's Northern Panhandle tracks are losing customers to the new slot machine casinos in neighboring Pennsylvania.

The threat of such competition helped fuel the drive for casino table games by the West Virginia tracks. But whether Keystone State casinos will remain open has become an issue amid a stalemate over that state's new budget.

As AP reports, the failure to break the deadlock forced the furlough of more than 24,000 public workers and the shutdown of non-essential state offices.

"At least gamblers and employees of the state's five slot-machine parlors got a reprieve when a judge late Sunday granted a request by the casino owners to remain open, at least until a Tuesday hearing," the AP story said.

Bringing the Capital City Online

Or, at least part of it. The Sunday Gazette-Mail reports this morning that Charleston's East End Main Street group has landed a grant to supply wireless Internet access to that neighborhood.

"Lara Ramsburg, spokeswoman for Gov. Joe Manchin, confirmed that he and other city leaders would be announcing on Monday 'a significant Wi-Fi project that will benefit Charleston and its visitors,'" the newspaper reports.

The So-Called Surplus

West Virginia state government has about $47.3 million to play with after the latest budget year ended with more general revenue than expected.

This is at least the third straight year when the array of taxes and fees that fund the state's main budget exceeded estimates by a sizable amount.

All told, the state ended the fiscal year June 30 with $95.6 million over projections. As I note, state law requires that half of such a surplus must be deposited in the state's "rainy day" account.

Gov. Joe Manchin's office says they have not yet decided what to do with the rest. Past surpluses have helped close the yawning funding gap in the state's main teachers fund. But lawmakers are also looking for funding for "Community Participation Projects," the successor vehicle to the fabled Budget Digest for delivering funding earmark to their home districts.

I also note that the administration's 5-year projection predicts that spending will soon eclipse revenues, thanks largely to health care costs. The fiscal year that began July 1 must also weather revenue changes caused by the modest cuts to the food, business franchise and corporate net income taxes.

I drew my story for The Associated Press from the latest collections report from the Department of Revenue. Manchin also issued a press release on the topic, which is quoted by both AP and The Charleston Gazette.

MetroNews, meanwhile, spoke to state Budget Director Mike McKown.

John McClane Comes to W.Va....Sort of

West Virginia plays a bit part in the plot of Live Free or Die Hard, the latest installment of the Bruce Willis action franchise.

The Charleston Daily Mail reports that that Willis' cap-busting cop drives into the Mountain State at one point, to investigate an East Coast power outage that's traced to a fictional W.Va. town.

Though actually filmed in California, the scene shows Willis driving past a "West Virginia Open for Business" sign. No word yet on whether this revives or influences the debate over the slogan. As best I can tell, Willis does not shoot or blow up the sign, so I guess that's good for Gov. Joe Manchin.

Kessler Adds Name to SupCo Maybe List

In the event of an open seat, Senate Judiciary Chairman Jeff Kessler, D-Marshall, tells the Wheeling News-Register that he might consider running for the Supreme Court in 2008.

The terms of Justices Elliott “Spike” Maynard and Larry Starcher are up next year, but the newspaper explains that while "Maynard has indicated he will seek re-election in 2008, Starcher has not."

Charleston lawyer Michael C. Allen and Robert Bastress Jr., a professor at West Virginia University's law school, have filed precandidacy papers for the court. Both are Democrats.

As noted here earlier, Delegate Tim Manchin, D-Marion and a cousin of Gov. Joe Manchin, told MetroNews' Talkline that he is in the same posture as Kessler regarding a possible run.

The Legislative Outing to Puerto Rico

Public Broadcasting spoke to those attended as well as to critics who deem the Council of State Governments conference a poor use of state tax dollars. Segment includes audio.

The Charleston Gazette reported earlier that West Virginia sent the largest delegation to the conference _ larger than even that of the host.

Table Games Update

The Charleston Gazette reports on the state's first big coup from the approval of casino table games by voters in Hancock and Ohio counties.

Mountaineer Racetrack and Gaming Resort in Chester and the Wheeling Island Racetrack and Gaming Center each paid the $1.5 million license fee required for operating such games. All fee revenue _ tracks must also pay $2.5 million annually for license renewals _ go to fund in-home care for seniors.

Both tracks sought table games to blunt competition from slot machine casinos opening in neighboring Pennsylvania. Mountaineer's owner, MTR Gaming Group Inc., also owns one of those Keystone State establishments, Presque Isle Downs near Erie.

But a budget stalemate pitting Gov. Ed Rendell, a Democrat, against the GOP-controlled state Senate threatens to shutter it and Pennsylvania's four other slot operations, The Associated Press reports.

"The fiscal year began Sunday without a new state budget in place, meaning that the government loses its authority to spend money on services it deems to be not essential to the health, safety and welfare of the state’s residents," the AP explains. "Rendell has said casinos would be shut down Monday with the rest of the state’s nonessential services, a scenario that Republican legislators say can be avoided."

Bush, W.Va. & the 4th of July - Updated

(Update: The White House supplied this photo from this morning's speech. Familiar faces include: U.S. Rep. Shelley Moore Capito, R-2nd, and her husband Charles, far left; Adjutant General Allen E. Tacket of the W.Va. National Guard, right of the Capitos; and Delegate Jonathan Miller, R-Berkeley, second row behind the podium, far right)

President Bush marked Independence Day in West Virginia for the fourth time since taking office in 2001, addressing a crowd at the National Guard's 167th Airlift Wing in Martinsburg.

The Associated Press covered the event, and also spoke to those in attendance. Several AP members are also hosting AP Video from the morning speech (sites also here, here & here).

The Journal of Martinsburg has also posted its story from the visit. MetroNews has a story as well as audio.

The AP has an article as well on a planned protest to coincide with the president's appearance. The White House, meanwhile, has a transcript of his Martinsburg speech.

The Charleston Gazette helps celebrate the 4th with a package of interviews with some of our newer citizens. "(N)ot all Americans are born American," the Gazette notes. "For some, the fireworks and festivities on the Fourth of July are the mark of a new life in a new country."

The package also includes video of the interviews.

Others with Independence Day coverage include MetroNews, the Charleston Daily Mail and the Bluefield Daily Telegraph.

Six Months Old, And An Award

Lincoln Walks At Midnight hits the half-year mark this month, and I could not be more pleased. I believe it has kept its intended focus, as reflected on the masthead, while adding features and adapting over time.

I am also humbly grateful for the continuing comments and feedback from my peers and mentors in the blogosphere. I still have much to learn, but folks out there have been very kind.

And this milestone is marked by a pleasant surprise: an award.



The generous gang at Hillbilly Savants recommended Lincoln Walks At Midnight for a"Thinking Blogger Award," which "works on the principle that good bloggers know other good bloggers when they see'm."

Having been tapped for the award itself, Hillbilly Savants was asked to pick five other blogs for the honor and included Lincoln Walks At Midnight in its list.

The award originated here, and the rules are simple:

1. If, and only if, you get tagged, write a post with links to 5 blogs that make you think,

2. Link to this post so that people can easily find the exact origin of the meme,

3. Optional: Proudly display the 'Thinking Blogger Award' with a link to the post that you wrote.

And in keeping with the rules, I nominate the following:

1. Hillbilly Savants. A well-rounded blog devoted to all things Appalachia, with a deep bench to boot. I gladly return the favor (and not surprisingly, am not the only one);

2. The Goat Rope. Perhaps the best-written, best-footnoted site on my blogroll. A whimsical dash of Aesop sets the tone;

3. The Republican Gazette. Faithfully updated, rich in nuggets of political dish and inside skinny. Often laugh-out-loud funny as well;

4.Mighty Max Update. As heart-wrenching as it is life-affirming, the online diary of a brave little boy with CHARGE syndrome;

5. On Location With Rick Lee. A blog devoted to photography, one of the most visually pleasant corners of cyberspace.

Note: As always, I express no opinions as to the points of view or political bents of any of these blogs. Rather, as the creator of the award put it, I chose blogs "with real merits, i.e. relative content, and above all - blogs that really get you thinking!"

Quote of the Day

"We believe we can win a more appropriate and favorable decision on appeal."

-- Don Blankenship, president, CEO and chairman of Massey Energy Co., responding to The Associated Press about the nearly $220 million verdict reached against the company Monday in a contract dispute with Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel Corp.

Hillary To Hit Up W.Va.?

Citing unnamed sources, MetroNews reports today that Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., will visit West Virginia on July 27 to raise money for her presidential campaign at a Charleston luncheon.

Manchin Family Eyes W.Va.'s Remaining Branch

Delegate Tim Manchin, D-Fairmont and a cousin to Gov. Joe Manchin, is considering a 2008 bid for the state Supreme Court, the Charleston Daily Mail reports.

Manchin also told host Hoppy Kercheval on MetroNews Talkline today that he was "thinking pretty seriously" about running.

The President's Visit

Amid lawsuits alleging the Bush administration goes too far in trying to thwart protestors, real and potential, at public events, the president plans to spend part of his Fourth of July morning in West Virginia.

The Associated Press story looks at filings in a lawsuit arising from a previous Bush trip to the state for Independence Day: his 2004 appearance at the state Capitol, where a Texas couple was arrested and charged with trespassing (charges later dropped) after refusing to remove or conceal anti-Bush t-shirts.

The key document is a "Presidential Advance Manual." Though heavily redacted, the released excerpts detail a policy for deploying volunteers both to screen event crowds for "potential problems" and to counteract any demonstrations.

The manual also recommends recruiting "rally squads" from such groups as young Republican chapters, fraternities and sororities, and athletic teams.

While relevant to the upcoming stop in Martinsburg, the manual is also news because it has fueled a new lawsuit alleging First Amendment violations. The Texas couple, Nicole and Jeffrey Rank, have joined with a Denver couple who allege similar mistreatment at a 2005 event there to file suit in federal court in Washington, D.C.

The American Civil Liberties Union represents the couples in this latest lawsuit, filed last week, and has posted information about it on its web site.

Bush returns to West Virginia at a time of dismal approval ratings. As pollster.com recently observed:

"The question remains one of how long the current slide can continue. Historically, presidential approval has rarely fallen into the 20s. While some polls are still giving readings in the 30s, the trend remains sharply downward. However, we are now approaching historic lows. "

(This, of course, was before the president commuted the prison term of Scooter Libby.)

But Bush ran strong in Berkeley County in both 2000 (59% of the vote) and 2004 (63%). In fact, he nearly doubled his margin of victory over his Democratic opponent between the two elections (4,822 votes vs. 8,836 votes).

Organizers of tomorrow's visit expect a crowd of about 1,500 from the 167th Airlift Wing of the West Virginia National Guard, their families and some VIPs.

Quote of the Day

"I am an academic, and I feel like you're accusing me of a political bias, and I am getting upset."

-- West Virginia University economics professor Russell Sobel, during a Public Broadcasting interview about his new book, Unleashing Capitalism.

Getting Beyond The Buzz

Public Broadcasting looks into the hub-bub surrounding Unleashing Capitalism, a new book edited by West Virginia University economics professor Russell Sobel.

"Many West Virginia business leaders, policymakers and media reports are gushing over" the book, Public Radio's Scott Finn reports. "But there are critics who say the book’s findings are fueled by a conservative agenda."

Besides the audio segment, Public Radio offers the entire interview with Sobel.

Other perspectives on Sobel and his work have come from The Charleston Gazette and West Virginia Media News.

West Virginia's Mr. Casino

The Associated Press profiles Ted Arneault, the CEO of MTR gaming group and most visible proponent of allowing casino table games at West Virginia's racetracks.

"The diminutive, dapper man with the expensive suits and shiny shoes has become the bane of those in West Virginia who fear and fight the expansion of gambling," the AP's Vicki Smith reports. "But the president of Mountaineer Racetrack and Gaming Resort says his work to expand gambling the past 15 years has been about much more."

Arneault cheered on voters in Mountaineer's home county of Hancock when they OK'd table games Saturday, 59 percent to 41 percent.

Pre-Candidates A-Go-Go

With a little more than 10 months before the May primary, The Associated Press looks at the sprawling field of pre-candidates for the 2008 ballot.

The situation somewhat mirrors the national political scene, where 19 declared presidential candidates are already off and running. But this is not necessarily a good thing, says political science professor Robert Rupp of West Virginia Wesleyan College.

"The candidates are running and the media is covering but the public isn't paying attention," Rupp tells AP. "I am not at all happy. It tires out the candidates, and the public is not engaged."

Rupp also advises "let's give the voters a rest. These people have day jobs."

W.Va. Makes Most of Learning Opportunity

I guess that's the best spin the Legislature can put on the recent Council of State Governments meeting in Puerto Rico: Phil Kabler of The Charleston Gazette reports that the Mountain State fielded the largest delegation at the El Conquistador resort, with 29 attendees.

"The host, Puerto Rico, was second, with 23 representatives," Kabler reports. "At the other extreme, nine states had no representatives, and nine states...each sent only one delegate."

Hancock County Approves Table Games

Though not by the margin seen in nearby Ohio County earlier this month.

MetroNews has the final tally as 5,022 votes in favor, or 59%, and 41% against, or 3,503 votes.

The Associated Press also offers details.

Mountaineer Race Track and Gaming Resort in Chester had been perhaps the biggest proponent of casino table games, " as a way to create new jobs and preserve existing ones as competition for gamblers grows from neighboring states," the AP reports.

But gambling foes made a stand in Hancock County, AP continues, and "erected billboards along state Route 2 warning voters, 'A lie well told and stuck to is easier believed than the truth.'"

Ohio County voters OK'd the games for Wheeling Island Racetrack and Gaming Center in one of two special elections June 9, 66% to 34%.

Jefferson County rejected table games on that date, 56% to 44%.

Kanawha County votes Aug. 11.

Capito in Crosshairs

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is including U.S. Rep. Shelley Moore Capito, W.Va.-2nd, among 14 House GOP incumbents it plans to attack next week in a sort of Independence Day salvo.

As The Associated Press reports, the DCCC plans to launch this radio ad and pepper Capito's district with "robo-calls" to allege that she has voted against the interests of the troops and veterans.

But as I point out in the AP story, FactCheck.org has criticized at least one of the allegations leveled in the ad.

The Politico also has a story on the DCCC effort, as does The Hill.

The Charleston Gazette, meanwhile, reports that Anne Barth has decided not to consider challenging Capito in 2008. A longtime aide to Sen. Robert C. Byrd, Barth had been touted as a candidate for a field that already includes state Sen. John Unger, D-Berkeley.

Table Games

Slightly more than 1,600 Hancock County voters cast early ballots in advance of Saturday's special election on table games, County Clerk Eleanor Straight tells The Associated Press. The early voting turnout equaled about 7.5 percent of registered voters.

MetroNews also has a story on the upcoming election. In semi-related news, AP reports on the planned sale of Binion’s Gambling Hall and Hotel in Las Vegas by MTR Gaming Group Inc. MTR owns Chester's Mountaineer Race Track and Gaming Resort, the intended beneficiary of Saturday's vote.

And Public Broadcasting finds few takers for new casino jobs in Ohio County, which approved table games earlier this month. "Classes started on Monday at WV Northern Community College to train dealers for casino jobs in Wheeling, but racetrack officials are disappointed in the low turnout,"Public Broadcasting reports.

Byrd Responds To Age Questions

U.S Sen. Robert C. Byrd gave a 20-minute floor speech this morning addressing recent media report that have scrutinized his age and health.

"I have had some time to become accustomed to the increasing distance between the year of my birth and the current date," the 89-year-old told colleagues.

The Associated Press has the story. Besides the earlier-referenced quote from the speech, Byrd also targeted today's youth-obsessed society.

""In a culture of botox, wrinkle cream and hair dye, we cannot imagine that becoming older is a good thing, an experience to look forward to and a state worthy of respect," he said.


MetroNews also has a story, with audio. I offer some background here.

Quote of the Day

My only adversity is age... I will continue to do this work until this old body just gives out and drops. Just don't expect that to be any time soon."

-- U.S. Sen. Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va., during a Thursday floor speech addressing recent press scrutiny of his age and health.

They Voted For You: Immigration

U.S. Sens. Robert C. Byrd and Jay Rockefeller, both D-W.Va., helped reject a bid to revive pending immigration legislation.

The 46-53 vote marks the second time this month that a majority of senators _ including Byrd and Rockefeller, helped derail the bill.

The Associated Press has a story on the latest.

They Voted For...Themselves?

U.S. Reps. Nick Rahall, D-3rd, and Alan Mollohan, D-1st, both voted to increase Congressional pay by about $4,400, to nearly $170,000 annually, according to The Associated Press.

Rep. Shelley Moore Capito, R-2nd, voted against the necessarily procedural question in the 244-181 roll call.

As AP reports, "Democrats and Republicans alike killed a bid by Reps. Jim Matheson, D-Utah, and Lee Terry, R-Neb., to get a direct vote to block the (cost of living allowance) _ , which is automatically awarded unless lawmakers vote to block it. "

AP also reports that the annual increase stalled the previous two years, partly because of partisan squabbling and partly because "Democrats last year fulfilled a campaign promise to deny themselves a pay hike until Congress raised the minimum wage. Delays in the minimum wage bill cost every lawmaker about $3,100 this year."

Mark Your Calendars

The West Virginia GOP will host Republican National Committee Chairman Mike Duncan at the annual summer conference of its state executive committee July 14 in Huntington. Details here.

As for the Democrats, I'm told that such heavy hitters as U.S. Rep. Artur Davis, D-Ala., and Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairman Chris Van Hollen (also a U.S. Rep., D-Md.) are co-sponsoring a Washington, D.C., fundraiser this evening for state Sen. John Unger. The Berkeley County Democrat plans to run against Rep. Shelley Moore Capito, R-2nd., in 2008.

Gov. Joe Manchin, meanwhile, headlined a fundraiser for Kentucky's Democratic Party last night in Louisville, according to this redoubtable blog from the Lexington Herald-Leader.

Secretary of State Strikes a Different Sort of Gold

Here's a neat story that nicely coincides with West Virginia's birthday and the Fourth of July: a review of documents in a fire-proof vault at the Secretary of State's office revealed previously overlooked records from the state's founding and other historic events.

As The Associated Press reports, the trove includes the state's first executive journal (which begins with the first governor's 1863 oath of office), minutes of the 1872 State Constitutional Convention, and the 1936 certificate of announcement for the candidacy for Franklin D. Roosevelt.

"So many times we get wrapped up in the business of the office, we don't realize some of the treasures that are here," chief of staff Ben Beakes told AP.

The Register-Herald of Beckley also has the story, as does Public Broadcasting, offering this audio interview.

Secretary of State Betty Ireland also issued a release on the discovery.

Absent Lawmaker Responds

Delegate Ron Thompson, D-Raleigh, spoke to The Register-Herald of Beckley about his continued absence from the Legislature (background here).

Still under a doctor's care, Thompson said he does not know when he will be able to return but that “I am working myself back to be able to attend the interims."

The Associated Press has also picked up the story.

Tobacco Bonds

In this story from The Associated Press, I tried to provide some context to the recent $807 million tobacco bond deal that was made final Tuesday. I consulted the National Association of State Retirement Administrators to see how the influx of cash would improve the funding ranking of the teacher pension plan.

I also spoke to Attorney General Darrell McGraw, who made West Virginia just the third state to file the sort of lawsuit that resulted in the historic, multibillion-dollar settlement with the tobacco industry.

MetroNews covered the Tuesday event as well, as did The Charleston Gazette.

They Voted For You: Unions

West Virginia's Democratic U.S. Senators, Robert C. Byrd and Jay Rockefeller, voted for the motion to advance the Employee Free Choice Act of 2007 toward a Senate vote on passage.

The 51-48 vote fell short of the 60-vote margin needed for the cloture motion to prevail.

The Associated Press has a story on the vote, and also offers this sidebar that looks at at how unions have fared in recent organizing elections.

They Voted For You: Immigration Cloture

U.S. Sens. Robert C. Byrd and Jay Rockefeller, both D-W.Va., voted against today's motion bringing the pending immigration bill back to the Senate floor.

The motion prevailed, 64-35.

The Associated Press is tracking the resurfacing of the legislation.

Table Games: Hancock County

The Wheeling newspapers have been tracking early voting in advance of Hancock County's special election Saturday on the table games question.

About 1,000 residents have already cast ballots, or about 4.6 percent of registered voters. Early voting ends Wednesday.

"One of the reasons behind the increase in early voters in Hancock County is the bus service Mountaineer (Race Track and Gaming Resort in Chester) is providing to the community," the Sunday News-Register reported. "The track is not only providing a shuttle service for its employees, but also for community members who don’t have a method of transportation."

Jefferson and nearby Ohio counties both saw early voting by more than 10 percent of their registered voters before the split decisions in their June 9 special elections.

Kanawha County also plans to hold early voting before its special balloting on Aug. 11.

The Associated Press, meanwhile reports that slot machines _ like the video lottery terminals hosted by West Virginia's four tracks _ "have done nothing to attract more people to horse racing" (and I suppose that would apply to dog racing as well).

This Just In: Byrd Old

In this story today from The Associated Press, I try to provide context to the latest conjecture brought on by the advanced age of U.S. Sen. Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va.

I talked to Larry Sabato, who contrasted Byrd's recent appearances with that of the late Strom Thurmond, in the years before the South Carolina Republican left the Senate in 2003.

Sabato also cited history to opine that governors court voter wrath by arranging to have themselves appointed to open Senate seats.

This scenario has been bandied about regarding Byrd's seat since at least 1993, when Gaston Caperton was governor and I had a brief stint covering the statehouse.

I noted earlier the wave of stories spurred by Byrd's age. I should also note that his age was an issue before voters re-elected him to a record ninth term last year with 64 percent of the vote.

The first TV ad anywhere during the 2006 election cycle was an anti-Byrd spot from the Republican National Senatorial Committee, in an apparent effort to shake Byrd's resolve to run. His GOP opponent, John Raese, also played the age card by seizing on a radio interview Byrd did during the campaign.

Festivall

The Charleston Gazette offers this colorful interactive map for this weekend's Festivall 2007.

Its animated features include Gov. Joe Manchin and the first lady roaring off on a motorcycle.

Also, keep your eyes on the Veterans' Memorial and the University of Charleston tower.

Ireland's Office Responds to Tennant

If she is elected secretary of state in 2008, Democrat Natalie Tennant may not have to worry about addressing the balloting snafu that marked the 2004 party primary, according to information provided to The Register-Herald of Beckley by incumbent Secretary of State Betty Ireland's office.

Tennant expressed concern to The Associated Press at her Wednesday candidacy announcement that neither Ireland nor the Legislature have taken steps to address the improper formatting of ballots that occurred during her unsuccessful 2004 bid for the office.

But Ireland Chief of Staff Ben Beakes tells the Beckley paper that 1) state law "bars the type of ballot design that plagued the 2004 race," 2) "the advent of electronic voting machines" make such formatting a moot point, and 3) the Legislature passed Senate Bill 616 earlier this year "that changed a lot of the ballot design."

They Voted For You: Energy

U.S. Sens. Robert C. Byrd and Jay Rockefeller, both D-W.Va., helped pass the CLEAN Energy Act of 2007 in a 65-27 vote early this morning.

The Associated Press reports on the early-hours vote and the latest version of the bill.

They Voted For You: Contraception & Abortion

U.S. Rep. Shelley Moore Capito, R-2nd, helped amend a foreign aid spending bill "to reverse a ban on contraception aid to groups overseas that offer abortions," as The Associated Press reports.

U.S. Reps. Alan Mollohan and Nick Rahall, D-1st and D-3rd, voted against the amendment from Rep. Nita Lowery, D-N.Y.

They were among only 24 House Democrats to do so in the 223-201 vote, while Capito was among only 16 GOP members to support the amendment.

Mollohan, Capito and Rahall all voted against passage of the bill, which prevailed 241-178. Each again bucked the partly line on that vote.

Manchin Expands Drug Testing of W.Va. Hires

Gov. Joe Manchin had proposed drug screens for all prospective state employees in his keynote speech to the Legislature earlier this year. He followed up with an executive order Thursday directing the state Division of Personnel to draw up the necessary policy.

As The Associated Press reports, the policy will apply to anyone hired at an executive branch agency that reports to the governor's office. Several departments _ the State Police and the Division of Corrections, for instance _ already require drug testing of new hires.

But as AP also reports, state worker groups offer mixed reactions. Those aligned with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees approve of the new policy. They also herald Manchin's inclusion of contract workers. But a separate group representing state employees say drug testing will hurt morale.

The Charleston Daily Mail has articles on both Manchin's new policy and reactions among state workers. MetroNews also has the story.

Mollohan Reminded of Federal Scrutiny

The Politico includes U.S. Rep. Alan Mollohan in an article today, which highlights pending allegations against four key Capitol Hill "appropriators" to ask "if there is something endemic to the culture of the appropriations committees."

Chairman of the Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies Subcommittee on House Appropriations, Mollohan "is under investigation for steering money to nonprofits he was linked to, although he denies any wrongdoing," the article said. "Mollohan has recused himself from any matter related to the Justice Department, although Republicans continue to hit the Democrats over the Mollohan allegations, arguing that he should no longer chair the subcommittee."

The 1st District Democrat is grouped with Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, and fellow Reps. John Doolittle and Jerry Lewis, both R-Calif.

They Voted For You: Power Lines

As The Associated Press reports, "The House rejected an attempt Wednesday to block the government from imposing major new power lines in areas where states or local communities oppose them."

U.S. Reps. Alan Mollohan, D-1st, and Nick Rahall, D-3rd, helped block the amendment in the 174-257 vote.

Rep. Shelley Moore Capito, R-2nd., voted for the amendment by Rep. Maurice Hinchey, D-N.Y., which aimed to "assure that no funds be made available to designate any geographic area as a national interest electric transmission corridor under the Federal Power Act by the Secretary of Energy."

The amendment was one of several proposed for a pending energy and water development spending bill.

Tennant Launches Secretary of State Bid

Democrat Natalie Tennant marked West Virginia Day -- and her 9th wedding anniversary -- by formally launching her 2008 campaign for secretary of state today outside the state Capitol.

The Associated Press was on hand for the announcement, as was MetroNews (with audio).

In Report's Wake, Capito Discloses Earmarks

U.S. Rep. Shelley Moore Capito today released a list of nearly $93 million worth of earmarks that she plans to pursue for her 2nd House District as Congress crafts the 2008 federal budget.

Capito, R-W.Va., posted the list on her House web site, while the Charleston Daily Mail also has an article.

The listing comes one day after CNN reported that all three West Virginia House members had failed to respond to requests for earmark information.

"Projects included on this list are not guaranteed funding at the amount requested or any funding at all," Capito's office noted in today's press release. "These projects propose no new spending, as they seek to be included through the budgeted appropriations process."

They Voted For You: Coal-to-Liquids

U.S. Sens. Robert C. Byrd and Jay Rockefeller, both D-W.Va., voted for the "Tester Amendment" to the CLEAN Energy Act of 2007, but the amendment was rejected 33-61.

Byrd and Rockefeller also voted against the "Bunning Amendment" to the bill. That measure was rejected 39-55.

Byrd and Rockefeller signed on as co-sponsors to the amendment from Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., which aimed "To establish a program to provide loans for projects to produce syngas from coal and other feedstocks while simultaneously reducing greenhouse gas emissions and reliance of the United States on petroleum and natural gas."

The amendment from Sen. Jim Bunning, R-Ky., proposed "To provide standards for clean coal-derived fuels."

Those with coverage of the issue include The Charleston Gazette, MetroNews (with audio from Byrd's floor speech), The Register-Herald of Beckley

West Virginia Turns 144 - Updated

The Charleston Gazette offers this special section front to mark West Virginia Day. Among others marking the Mountain State's birthday: MetroNews and The Register-Herald of Beckley.

DeLong Outlines Bid For Secretary of State

Having gained his legislative leadership post just five months ago, House Majority Leader Joe DeLong held Wheeling and Charleston press conferences Monday to announce his candidacy for secretary of state.

The Associated Press covered the latter appearance. I focused on how DeLong, D-Hancock, called for giving the secretary of state the power to investigate corporate fraud _ and how he plans to help create that power during his remaining time in the Legislature.

At least three fellow Democratic House members _ Lidella Hrutkay of Logan County, Dale Martin of Putnam County and Locke Wysong of Jefferson County _ were on hand for the Charleston announcement. Before that press conference, DeLong had mentioned that four or five Northern Panhandle-area delegates showed up for his Wheeling appearance.

Kanawha County School Board Member Pete Thaw also attended the Charleston appearance.

MetroNews also covered the state Capitol press conference, as did West Virginia Media. The Wheeling newspapers were on hand for his announcement there.

The Register-Herald of Beckley, meanwhile, spoke to Senate Majority Leader Billy Wayne Bailey about his plans to run for secretary of state.

The Wyoming County Democrat has filed precandidacy papers for an undeclared office, while both DeLong and fellow Democrat Natalie Tennant have both filed as precandidates for secretary of state.

(Incumbent Secretary of State Betty Ireland, a Republican, has not announced her 2008 election plans.)

I have noted that the precandidate filings are free and non-binding. The official candidate filings aren't until January.

I also note that Delegate Richard Browning, D-Wyoming, has filed precandidacy papers for Bailey's seat.

And finally, DeLong has set up a web site for his campaign.

The Struggle For Earmark Transparency

All three of West Virginia's U.S. House members flunked a recent survey by CNN that asked for their "earmark" requests for the upcoming fiscal year, the network reports.

They were in good company: "Staffers for only 31 of the 435 members of the House contacted by CNN between Wednesday and Friday of last week supplied a list of their earmark requests for Fiscal Year 2008, which begins on October 1, or pointed callers to Web sites where those earmark requests were posted," CNN reported.

A state-by-state pull-down menu notes that 68 members' offices declined the requests outright, while 329 did not respond (all three W.Va. members fall in the latter category). The article also said that "Seven members of the House said they had no earmark requests."

CNN contrasted its results with "the new Democratic congressional leadership's promise of "openness and transparency" in the budget process."

The full listing of responses is here.

Gambling Remains The Hot Topic In W.Va.

The Associated Press provides context to the ongoing tumult over the state's problem gambler help program, with this article by Tom Breen.

"A look at gambling programs around the country suggests it’s difficult to make generalizations about a type of state aid that is still, in many places, in its infancy," the article said.

The Charleston Gazette's Phil Kabler, meanwhile, devoted part of his Sunday column to the print/cyber back-and-forth he's had on the topic with state Sen. Vic Sprouse, R-Kanawha.

Last week, Kabler also interviewed Mia Moran-Cooper, the help program's former director, who's become something of a lightning rod.

The Gazette also assesses the financial impact of Jefferson County's rejection of the June 9 table games referendum, by weighing the potential contribution of Hancock County. Voters there will decide the table games question on June 30.

And in another development sure to spice up the gambling debate in West Virginia, the owner of the Jefferson County track has agreed to be purchased by Fortress Investment Group LLC and Centerbridge Partners LP in an $8.9 billion deal.

AP has a story on the announced acquisition plans, while track parent Penn National Gaming issued a press release.

Yes, W.Va. Has a Libertarian Party

But you wouldn't know it from recent election races. The Register-Herald of Beckley has a story about the party's efforts to regain ballot status, which it enjoyed earlier this decade.

Si Galperin, 1932-2007

Simon Hirsch "Si" Galperin Jr., 75, died Sunday after a career that included several terms in the Legislature and, most recently, as a lobbyist.

The Charleston Gazette has an article as well as the obituary.

Galperin represented Citizens for Clean Elections during the most recent legislative session.

W.Va. Resurfaces in U.S. Atty Firings Story

This time because its southern federal district is among nearly two dozen where temporary U.S. attorneys face time in office "now limited under a law signed last week by President Bush," The Washington Post reports today.

As has been reported earlier, Kasey Warner was fired as the district's U.S. attorney in August 2005. Warner has questioned whether politics played a role in his ouster. U.S. Justice Department officials have countered by offering to explain why he was canned -- if Warner waives confidentiality (which he apparently has yet to do).

Chuck Miller was tapped to replace Warner, though not by the president. A career prosecutor in the office with a stellar reputation, was named U.S. attorney most recently by a federal judge in the district.

Though that step by the district court may suffice in Miller's case, "The Justice Department has signaled that it might seek to extend the terms of those U.S. attorneys appointed under a legal provision known as the Vacancies Act by reappointing them under another provision that would give them an additional four months on the job," the article also said.

"The developments add to growing personnel problems at the Justice Department in the wake of last year's firings of nine U.S. attorneys," the Post reports. "A quarter of all federal prosecutors are now on the job on an interim or acting basis -- reflecting a vacancy rate that is much higher than normal, according to department statistics."

Manchin Co-Signs China Letter

Gov. Joe Manchin is among 10 southern governors urging U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary Peters to approve a request by Delta Air Lines to offer nonstop flights from Atlanta to China.

The Associated Press has the story.

Delta wants to start flying nonstop to Shanghai in March, the article said. "Delta CEO Gerald Grinstein said the route is needed to serve the growing population in the Southeast as well as the region's booming trade with China."

Embedded W.Va. Reporters Return

Martin Staunton of West Virginia Media and Public Broadcasting's Anna Sale have flown back to West Virginia with some members of the 130th Airlift Wing after covering its most recent mission to Afghanistan.

Staunton offers a final report here, with links to video as well as previous posts from the trip.

Sale spoke about her coverage to Public Broadcasting's Greg Collard (transcript here), and also filed daily reports and postings during her nearly two weeks with the Air National Guard unit.

Raleigh Delegate Continues Absence Streak

After his MIA status created a constitutional tumult during the year's regular session, Delegate Ron Thompson has missed each of the three interim sessions since, The Register-Herald of Beckley reports.

Seeking treatment for what he and his psychiatrist describe as a bipolar disorder, the Raleigh County Democrat "appeared in the final week of the 2007 legislative session to take his oath with a pledge that he would complete his duties in the remaining days," the article said. "But he never returned to the House chamber as the winter session wound down."

Background info can be found here, here and here.

Congressional Financial Disclosures

I haven't had a chance yet to crunch the numbers, but The Associated Press has this overview of the latest financial disclosure reports from West Virginia's Congressional delegation.

The highlights from the AP article:

* As one of Congress' wealthiest members, Sen. Jay Rockefeller has assets including 3 blind trusts worth between $80 million and $125 million, which generate between $2.1 million and $11 million in annual income;

* Sen. Robert C. Byrd lists an IRA worth between $100,000 and $200,000 as the largest of 3 investments;

* Rep. Alan Mollohan listed real estate in North Carolina, as well as rental properties in Fairmont, Canaan Valley and Washington, D.C. that yielded between $35,000 and $115,000 in income;

* Rep. Shelley Moore Capito has a number of investments, inc.luding two worth between $65,000 and $150,000;

* Rep. Nick Rahall disclosed 10 acres in North Carolina as well as a time share in South Carolina that generated between $1,000 and $2,500.

A national sidebar to the AP's coverage of the reports notes that "Mollohan, formerly the top Democrat on the House ethics committee, has acknowledged in the past that he filed inaccurate financial statements and asked the House Clerk's office to correct or amend more than a dozen items on his reports dating back to 2000. The Justice Department also is investigating whether he has benefited from directing federal funds to nonprofit groups he helped start."

You can download PDF copies of both Senate and House reports from PoliticalMoneyLine, a service of Congressional Quarterly (it did not appear to have Rahall's report scanned in as of Friday morning, however).

Drug Council Tinkers With Gift Disclosure Rules

Drug companies would have to list gifts and payments to doctors "in $2,500 increments, with no limit on the maximum amount to be reported," an article in The Charleston Gazette today said.

The Gazette reports on the latest meeting of the state Pharmaceutical Cost Management Council, which had heard from an array of consumer-oriented groups who opposed a $10,000 cap on disclosures that the council had previously proposed.

West Virginia's Senior Senator

The Associated Press is the latest to assess how age is bearing down on U.S. Sen. Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va., "in the winter of his 54-year career in Congress."

The article recounts recent episodes on Capitol Hill when the 89-year-old appeared to forget a colleague's name, needed prompting from an aide and delegated some of his duties to others.

It also offers the recent dedication at Shepherd University of a nursing building named after his late wife. Erma Ora Byrd died last year, about two months before their 69th wedding anniversary.

"The senator told the audience his wife was in heaven, adding: 'I'm going to meet her there,'" the article said.

W.Va. Completes Tobacco Bond Deal for $807m

West Virginia will get $807 million in up-front cash by issuing bonds, promising investors future annual payments from the state's multibillion-dollar settlement with major tobacco companies, The Associated Press reported late today.

(Update: The AP article is drawn from this story from The Charleston Gazette.)

"This landmark deal is the single-largest West Virginia bond issue and the largest taxable tobacco securitization in the United States to date, said officials from Citigroup, the lead bookrunning manager on the transaction," Manchin's office said in a statement.

The successful deal follows several near misses, including a $524 million deal proposed in 2002, in which the state sought to securitize proceeds from the landmark 1998 tobacco settlement to generate cash.

But James F. Haddon, managing director for Citigroup's Municipal Securities Division, noted in today's statement that “amid challenging market conditions due to rising interest rates, it is remarkable that the state was able to accomplish its goal."

Volatile market conditions had been reported earlier by The Charleston Gazette and MetroNews, among others.

But there appears to be at least one declaration that today's bond deal "fell through."

LeRose Falls Short in Comeback Bid

Among Tuesday's numerous municipal election races statewide, Former state Republican Party Chairman Steve LeRose failed in his campaign to retake the mayor's office in Summersville.

As the Register-Herald of Beckley reports, LeRose placed third among four candidates. Newcomer Bob Shafer, a newcomer, won with 504 votes.

I noted earlier in the campaign that LeRose had been mayor since 1985 when he lost his 1999 re-election bid. Just days later, "LeRose pleaded guilty to federal bank fraud and tax evasion charges stemming from a $3.3 million check-kiting scheme."

Sentenced to 27 months in federal prison, the 57-year-old was released in November 2001.

Ross Eyeing '08 Senate Rematch

Former state Sen. Mike Ross, D-Randolph, hopes water conservation will prove the issue that helps return him to the Legislature in 2008, according to the (Beckley) Register-Herald.

"A veteran businessman in the oil and gas industries, Ross is involved in the creation of a 65-acre impoundment, just south of Huttonsville, capable of providing sufficient water to serve Tygart Valley up to half a year," the newspaper reports.

As the article notes, Ross was seeking a fourth Senate term in 2004 when he fell to Republican Clark Barnes, a political newcomer and also a business owner.

They Voted For You: Stem Cell Research

U.S. Rep. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., voted with the majority June 7 to pass the "Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act."

The state's other House members, Democratic Reps. Alan Mollohan and Nick Rahall, voted against the bill.

As the Charleston Daily Mail reported today, "Capito was one of just 37 House Republicans to support the bill in the 247-176 vote," while Mollohan and Rahall were among only 16 Democrats who opposed it.

The Daily Mail also noted that U.S. Sens. Robert C. Byrd and Jay Rockefeller, both D-W.Va., both helped pass the bill from the Senate to the House in April.

The bill would "amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for human embryonic stem cell research."

(Thanks to the Daily Mail for outpointing last week's vote. It also reports that President Bush is expected to veto the bill.)

DEP Stream List Battle Boils Over

Gov. Joe Manchin has waded into a regulatory fight that roiled mostly backstage during the year's regular legislative session, The Charleston Gazette reports.

Manchin has ordered the Department of Environmental Protection to pare down a proposed list of semi-protected West Virginia streams to 156, the Gazette quotes spokeswoman Lara Ramsburg as saying.

That was the potential size of the list when negotiations broke down, during the session, between DEP and industry and other interested parties. As the Gazette article notes, those parties include the West Virginia Forestry Association and the state Farm Bureau.

But that's nearly half of the streams that DEP wants in the state's "Tier 2.5" category of streams, which the Gazette ranks "among a series of compromises with regulated industries."

"Under the state’s policy, streams in this category could not be degraded more than 10 percent," the Gazette explains. "The Tier 2.5 category was created to keep many state streams from ending up classified as Tier 3, a category that allows no degradation at all."

The article also includes this DEP link with info about the stream list and other proposed regulatory rules.

"A public hearing is scheduled for mid-July, and the DEP hopes to submit the new list for legislative consideration during the 2008 session," the article said.

Table Games: The Jefferson County Vote - Updated

Jefferson County has released unofficial precinct tallies from Saturday's defeat of the casino table games referendum.

It appears that the measure fared best in precincts within the 58th House District, represented by Delegate Locke Wysong, which includes the home of Charles Town Races & Slots. But even there, the precinct level-margin was never greater than 96 votes (or 62 percent).

Perhaps not surprisingly, the results tanked on the other end of the county, in the 57th District, represented by avowed referendum foe Delegate John Doyle. (Both Doyle and Wysong are Democrats, and the unofficial totals are 4,429 to 5,626 votes.)

The margins of defeat were as wide as 165 votes in those counties, with table games supporters combining for as little as one-fourth of the ballots cast.

MetroNews continues the table games post-mortem by examining how a key group declined to endorse the measure. The Journal of Martinsburg also weighs the impact of the measure's loss, while Public Broadcasting follows up both in Jefferson and Ohio counties (with audio link).

Update: The Charleston Daily Mail focuses on Tri-State Racetrack & Gaming Center's plans if Kanawha County approves table games (with graphic).

And... The Hagerstown Herald-Mail reported the back and forth between a Charles Town official and Delegate Doyle over the election outcome in Jefferson County (thanks to West Virginia Blue for outpointing the article).

Paper Is Beautiful

So says election officials in Ohio and Jefferson counties who recently handled the special elections addressing table games, The Associated Press reports.

"Counting the votes may take longer, but officials say it's easier than programming electronic machines or preparing scanned bubble sheets for a single yes or no question," the AP's Tom Breen writes.

They Voted For You: Alberto Gonzales

Sens. Robert C. Byrd and Jay Rockefeller, both Democrats, voted with 51 other senators to advance for consideration a resolution expressing "no confidence" in U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales.

Requiring three-fifths of the Senate's approval, or 60 votes, the motion was rejected 53-38.

The Associated Press has the details.

Tennant: Trying Again for Sec. of State

Former broadcaster Natalie Tennant has joined the field of 2008 precandidates, announcing plans this week to run for secretary of state.

The Democrat and former West Virginia University mascot told The Associated Press on Monday that she planned to kick off her campaign officially on June 20, West Virginia Day.

Tennant previously sought her party's nod for the statewide office in 2004. Amid a field of seven candidates, she finished second with 25 percent of the vote. But those 65,947 votes put her within 1,118 votes of the nominee, Ken Hechler.

This time around, Tennant is joining House Majority Leader Joe DeLong, D-Hancock, and Mountain Party member David Rao among the announced precandidates for Secretary of State. DeLong played football for WVU, while Tennant was its first (and to date only) female Mountaineer mascot. Tennant is also married to fellow broadcasting alumnus and freshman state Sen. Erik Wells, D-Kanawha.

Mineral County Hijinks

All is not peaceful in the Mineral County town of Ridgeley: from jail, "Mayor Mitchell Reeves fired two town employees who may have helped land the five-term mayor in the lockup for the second time in a month," The Associated Press reports.

W.Va. Sifts Through Special Election Split

The Associated Press' Tom Breen adopts a Dickensian view in following up to the weekend's table games referenda in Ohio and Jefferson counties.

Wheeling Island Racetrack and Gaming Center "began construction Monday morning on a poker room scheduled to open by Labor Day weekend," Breen reports. "Wheeling Island hopes to have other table games, like roulette and blackjack, up and running by Oct. 1."

Officials at Charles Town Races & Slots told AP not to expect downsizing in the wake of Saturday's defeat -- but the situation could change if nearby Maryland legalizes slot machines.

In the wake of the Saturday voting, the Charleston Daily Mail reports that the state United Methodist conference on Sunday "approved a resolution urging the defeat of local referendums that would allow table games at the state's casinos."

The Wheeling News-Register also focuses on reaction to the Ohio County result with news of job fairs for casino workers. The Charleston Gazette, meanwhile, looks ahead to the upcoming special elections in Hancock and Kanawha counties.

The AP's Breen and Vicki Smith provided election night coverage that was picked up widely. MetroNews interviewed key players on both sides after the voting. Talkline host Hoppy Kercheval also opines on the Jefferson County outcome.