Legislature 2008: Coal

While Gov. Joe Manchin touched on such topics as clean coal technology and climate change in Wednesday's State of the State, he detailed his goal to make "coal the centerpiece of national energy policy" at the 35th West Virginia Mining Symposium.

"Manchin said he envisions a plan that relies on technology to produce cleaner electricity as well as motor fuels and natural gas from coal," reports Tim Huber, business writer for The Associated Press. "Any plan also would need to include natural gas, crude oil and alternative fuels such as biomass, wind and solar."

(Huber also reports in a separate, related story that off-again, on-again federal mine safety chief Richard Stickler said at the Thursday forum in Charleston that his agency " is on track to carry out required quarterly inspections at all U.S. underground coal mines for the first time in years.")

But state environmental groups aren't buying into the governor's energy strategy, and "oppose Manchin's pursuit of coal-to-liquid technology as unproven and costly," AP reports.

The West Virginia Environmental Council unveiled its "Citizens' Energy Plan" at a Capitol event Thursday.

"Among other measures, it would make public buildings more efficient, promote conservation and link a vehicle's registration fee to its fuel efficiency instead of it value," AP reports. The plan also "would require power plants to tap renewables for 25 percent of their output, buying at least some of that from local producers, by 2025."

The Charleston Gazette focuses separate articles on the WVEC plan and Stickler's mine inspection comments. MetroNews also covered the symposium, and has audio of W.Va. Coal Association Vice President Chris Hamilton.

And in a coal-related issue, AP reports that Manchin has proposed a bill targeting air packs thefts. The measure "would add underground coal mines to homes, stores and other structures already protected by West Virginia's felony breaking and entering law."

Degree of Doubt Persists - 2nd Update

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette takes a step back from its coverage of the "Degree of Doubt" (seems snappier than DegreeGate or HeatherGate, but entries are still being accepted) with an editorial.

It seeks to keep the fire stoked through such observations as:

Although university records showed she was 22 credits short in the 48-credit-hour program, R. Stephen Sears, dean of the school's College of Business and Economics, reported that his school's records indicated (Heather) Bresch met all requirements. But on Tuesday, Provost Gerald Lang -- WVU's chief academic officer -- said those records don't even exist. Not only that, he said no other students have reported problems with their records since the Post-Gazette's first report last month.

MetroNews, meanwhile, quizzed Gov. Joe Manchin on the situation.

"We're all anxious for the facts to come out and I told them bring in Scotland Yards. Do whatever you have to, investigate, do it all, do it as quickly as possible," he told Talkline Host Hoppy Kercheval. Audio here.

Update: The Post-Gazette offers yet another new wrinkle to the story: "West Virginia University President Mike Garrison's chief of staff directed the university's initial investigation into whether West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin's daughter earned an M.B.A degree at the university, according to e-mails."

Update II: West Virginia Media has interviewed R. Stephen Sears, dean of WVU's business school and a key figure in the story, for its weekend Decision Makers program. Part of the Q&A has already been posted online.

Session Short Takes : Day 3

TAXES: Sen. John Yoder, R-Jefferson, tells The Journal of Martinsburg that he'll resume his push a bill "that would exempt certain aircraft from being taxed as personal property."

RULE-MAKING: As it does each session, the Legislature will approve rules the full range of state agencies and programs. The Charleston Gazette reports on a preliminary move by lawmakers, during the earlier interim meetings, that "gutted state Ethics Commission rules that would have effectively banned law enforcement associations from soliciting contributions."

Bring on the Brainiacs

The Charleston Gazette weighs the prospects of Gov. Joe Manchin's bid to start an endowment with $50 million for "hiring research scientists and funding new labs at West Virginia and Marshall universities to undertake research leading to patents, products and spinoff companies."

Legislature 2008: Gun Control

"West Virginia is one of about two dozen states that doesn't release mental health records to an FBI database used to screen prospective gun buyers," The Associated Press' Tom Breen reports, adding that Gov. Joe Manchin has a proposed a bill to change that.

"The impetus to change the law came after a shooting spree last April that left 33 dead on the Virginia Tech campus, including gunman Seung-Hui Cho," Breen explains. "He was able to buy a handgun in Virginia even though a judge had previously declared him mentally ill."

Combating Drugs in the Mountain State

The Herald-Dispatch, which profiled efforts to tackle drug addiction and related crime, reports that "Some substance abuse prevention officials are critical of Gov. Joe Manchin's plan for spending millions of dollars that the state will receive from a settlement with the pharmaceutical company that makes OxyContin."

The newspaper also details the governor's settlement spending proposal.

Legislature 2008: PROMISE (Updated)

The Charleston Gazette finds that the governor's proposed change to the merit-based scholarship program has precedent in West Virginia.

"Two state scholarship programs aimed at students in specific fields, the Underwood-Smith Teacher Scholarship Program and West Virginia Engineering, Science and Technology Scholarship Program, offer financial incentives to students in exchange for their agreement to work in the state for a set number of years after graduation," the newspaper reports.

The Gazette also finds more lawmakers questioning this Manchin agenda item, as does the Herald-Dispatch of Huntington.

Update: Former Gov. Bob Wise, who found funding for (corrected from "started;" sorry, my bad) PROMISE at the start of his term, weighs in on his successor's proposed changes to the Charleston Daily Mail.

"Wise said that would undermine the original intent of the Promise Scholarship program, which is to encourage students to excel in high school and go on to college, preferably in the state," the newspaper reported.

Stand Still, Laddy

"Memories of a three-hole paddle used to assure law and order in the classroom leave Sen. Shirley Love thinking corporal punishment needs to be restored in West Virginia," The (Beckley) Register-Herald reports.

Legislature 2008: Teachers

Lawmakers continue to weigh Gov. Joe Manchin's teacher pay proposals; he made a major pitch to fellow Democrats in the House and Senate when each caucus met behind closed doors Thursday afternoon.

But some legislators are launching their own bills as well. Associated Press education reporter Shaya Tayefe Mohajer follows up on her earlier report detailing a possible tax break for teachers with news of the bill's introduction.

The Richardson Factor in W.Va.

Before pulling out of the Democrats' presidential race, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson had raised $7,900 from 20 West Virginians as of Sept. 30, according to the latest available Federal Election Commission filings.

Legislature 2008: Teacher Pensions

As The Associated Press reports, lawmakers will likely act this session after the state Supreme Court declined to review a circuit judge's ruling blocking the planned merger of West Virginia's two teacher retirement programs.

The ruling allows around 19,164 teachers and school officials with 401(k)-style retirement accounts to retain direct control of them. But figures show that the average account contains $33,944.

"Of the 1,100 account holders age 60 or older, 23 had more than $100,000 last year," AP reports. "The largest of those accounts had $157,000."

Had the merger gone through, the accounts would have become part of the Teachers' Retirement System, or TRS. Though the state continues to struggle to reduce a severe funding shortfall in TRS, its retirees "can count on between $200,000 and $400,000 in total benefits."

Lawmakers have studied options that include "allowing account holders to transfer voluntarily to TRS, which also requires its enrollees to contribute a higher percentage of their pay, the AP article said. "Lawmakers have debated whether to require these transfers to pay makeup amounts to resolve the difference in contribution rates."

MetroNews talks to Jim Lees, a lawyer for account holders who opposed the merger, as part of its coverage of Thursday's decision.

State of the State 2008: Reactions (Updated)

TEACHERS: Though largely left out of the speech, Manchin has proposed $81 million worth of pay raises, The Associated Press reports. More than half the money would go to teachers, who are also offered $20 million worth of signing bonuses.

But teachers seek more, as The Charleston Gazette and MetroNews report.

(Update: The Journal bounces the proposals off officials in the Eastern Panhandle, arguably the region most beset by teacher shortages. The story also notes Manchin's proposal to require counties to devote all free-up local share funds toward teacher salaries.)

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT: Manchin's emphasis on "funding work-force training won him praise from both business and labor," The Charleston Gazette reports.

Marion County, meanwhile, wants to land "one of the two state-of-the-art technical training centers that Gov. Joe Manchin wants to fill the needs of existing and new businesses," local lawmakers told the Times-West Virginian.

GOP REAX: "Republican leaders in the House and Senate say Governor Joe Manchin made some good proposals, but he didn't go far enough to put forth ideas that will improve the state's economy," MetroNews reports (with audio).

OTHER: Local delegations also chimed in to the Parkersburg News and (updated) The Journal of Martinsburg.

The Associated Press offers highlights of the agenda.

Manchin Keeps War on Drugs in View

The Herald-Dispatch and The Intelligencer both focus on Manchin's "comprehensive drug eradication program."

The governor's plan includes "prevention resource officers in schools, addiction training programs for health care professionals and drug courts," the Huntington paper reports. "The money also will be used by the State Police to hire more drug investigators and add training courses, among other things."

The Wheeling paper touts Manchin's drug court proposal, as his plan would expand a program begun in Ohio County across the state.

Update: The Charleston Daily Mail reports on the drug plan as well.

A $44 million from a U.S. Justice Department settlement with the makers of OxyContin fuels this element of Manchin's agenda.

The Price of PROMISE

"Several lawmakers, from both parties, withheld applause for Manchin's PROMISE proposal," The Associated Press reports.

The agenda item would require future PROMISE winners to remain in the state or pay back the scholarships as loans.

MetroNews also heard from legislators on the topic (with audio), as did Public Broadcasting (with audio as well).

The Manchin Agenda

The Associated Press details the governor's State of the State address _ which contained most but not all of his legislative agenda items _ and his proposed budget for 2008-2009.

Others with overviews include The Charleston Gazette, MetroNews (with audio), the Herald-Dispatch of Huntington, The Register-Herald of Beckley and The Intelligencer of Wheeling.

The governor's web site offers text of the speech, his office's budget presentation to lawmakers and details from his "Drug-Free West Virginia" plan.

State of the State 2008

Those with previews of Gov. Joe Manchin's speech and latest legislative agenda include The Associated Press and The Herald-Dispatch of Huntington

House Speaker Rick Thompson and Senate President Earl Ray Tomblin, meanwhile, each spoke to MetroNews about the upcoming 60-day session (Talkine audio here and here, respectively).

Others check in with local lawmakers, including The Times-West Virginian of Fairmont and the Bluefield Daily Telegraph.

Team Manchin plans to present streaming video, text of his State of the State and details from his proposed 2008-2009 state budget on a special section of the governor's web site.

Public Broadcasting will offer both on-air and streaming audio and video of the 7 p.m. speech as it kicks of its nightly program, "The Legislature Today."

Legislature 2008: Gambling

Gov. Joe Manchin has told The Intelligencer that he "wants each county to have its own say in whether limited video lottery machines remain at the corner shop."

"The next gambling issue in the state will be the limited video lottery machines found outside racetracks and at small businesses and organizations throughout West Virginia communities," the Wheeling newspaper reports. "The 10-year licenses for these machines are set to expire in 2011."

“The counties should have a say in whether they have LVLs in their communities — just like they did with table gambling,” Manchin told the paper.

The Power of Charts & Graphs

Setting the table for yet another fight during the legislative session, lawmakers Monday nearly doubled the list of West Virginia streams afforded protections under "Tier 2.5 status," The Associated Press reports.

AP's Tom Breen notes that the interim committee vote reverses a course set by Gov. Joe Manchin and his Department of Environmental Protection, who had been paring down the stream list.

"That likely means a fight with groups representing industry and property owners, who had hoped to reduce the number of protected streams to 38," Breen reports.

It had been whittled down to 156 before the successful amendment by Delegate Mike Burdiss, D-Wyoming.

But Burdiss "unfurled a huge map showing the state's more than 2,000 streams and carried it around the room to help make his point," the AP article said.

"Only 38 streams out of 2,000 and some? What are we doing?" it quotes Burdiss as asking.

The Charleston Gazette was also at the interim meeting, and recounts the multi-year battle over the stream list while predicting it could be "the biggest environmental issue of the 2008 session."

The Gazette also relays this color from the meeting:

Delegate Kelli Sobonya, R-Cabell, insisted that the committee allow anyone at Tuesday’s meeting who owned property along a listed stream be allowed to address lawmakers.

Minard asked if any landowners were present, and the only person who came to the podium was Roger Sherman, a lobbyist for Mead Westvaco.

Sherman said that while timber operations are exempt from the anti-degradation rules, his company might someday want to do something else on its land that required a permit that would be subject to the rules.

Sen. John Unger, D-Berkeley, asked Sherman to identify which streams on the DEP list Mead Westvaco owned property along.

“I can’t recall that,” Sherman said. “I was not prepared to speak today. I’m not sure which list we’re talking about.”

DegreeGate Update

The Associated Press is among those reporting on the latest development, a press release issued Tuesday by West Virginia University outlining the scope of the recently announced review.

"Specifically, the panel is to ascertain whether Ms. Bresch earned her eMBA degree in 1998," the statement from WVU Provost Gerald Lang said. "Were the records of all students handled appropriately in 1998 and 2007? Was Ms. Bresch treated differently than other similarly situated students in the eMBA program in 1998 or in 2007?"

In detailing the scope, Lang also addresses persisting questions about the independence of the three-member investigative panel.

"Since the accuracy of a WVU degree is at issue, it is only right that WVU faculty investigate the matter at their own institution as they do for any other curricular issues," Lang says in the release. "It is the faculty who know what to look for as they have a knowledge and history of administrative processes.”

Lang later elaborated to Vicki Smith, the AP's Morgantown correspondent, while promising the probe would be "fair and honest."

"I think everyone is very comfortable with these individuals and confident that a fair and honest review will occur," he told AP. "The people that have been appointed have been appointed with the support and endorsement of Faculty Senate leadership. I think they will do what they need to do."

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, which first questioned Bresch's degree, follows up today regarding whether any records exist to support the retroactive award.

"When asked what records showed Ms. Bresch completed her degree, Mr. Lang replied, 'I don't know,'" the Post-Gazette reports. "School officials said the degree was awarded 'after much research' by the business school."

The article then notes that those researchers would have included Dean R. Stephen Sears, whose chair as head of the College of Business and Economics is endowed by Milan Puskar. Besides being Bresch's boss at Mylan Inc., Puskar is a longtime ally and donor of her father, Gov. Joe Manchin.

No Need To Cue Beethoven's Fifth

Kanawha County students can continue to read Pat Conroy.

A panel has approved the use of "The Prince of Tides," following complaints about the book, The Charleston Gazette reports.

The panel earlier approved a second Conroy novel, “Beach Music,” after it was also targeted by parents. The tumult prompted a letter from Conroy to the Gazette in the fall.

Lottery Audit Echoes Whistleblower

Monday's interim legislative meetings also yielded an audit that concludes the Lottery Commission has interfered with the state's program for problem gamblers.

Lottery "sought to influence the advertising of the Problem Gamblers Help Network," The Associated Press reports, and "also tried to get the names of agency staff members who may have called the program's hot line."

The Charleston Gazette and The Register-Herald of Beckley also have stories on the audit.

The findings appear to validate allegations by Mia Moran-Cooper, who was ousted as the program's director last year. Lottery officials disagree with most of the audit's conclusions, and also objected to its reference to Moran-Cooper and her allegations.

Update: The Gazette article includes this tidbit from the audit: "West Virginia also is one of only three states where the group running the state lottery directly administers a publicly funded problem gambler program. That’s out of 42 states that operate lotteries, and out of 35 states that have publicly funded programs to assist compulsive gamblers."

Update II: Public Broadcasting also has a piece on the audit (with audio).

Legislature 2008: Healthy Starts

The Associated Press' Tom Breen highlights one bill destined for the upcoming regular session, which expands on a pet project of Gov. Joe Manchin.

The proposed ban on soft drinks and sugary snacks from all public schools responds to numerous reports of West Virginia's sorry state of oral health.

"About 20 counties have similar, voluntary guidelines in place, but the legislation would make it mandatory in all 55 counties.," Breen reports, "The bill would only allow the sale of water, fruit and vegetable juices, and some types of milk. It would also restrict snacks to fruits, vegetables, cheese, yogurt, nuts and seeds in servings of 200 calories or less."

Update: MetroNews hears from Sen. Ron Stollings, D-Boone and a physician who supports the draft bill, and critic Clinton Giles, who raises funds with such goods as principal of Capital High.

Legislature 2008: GOP Agenda

House Republicans outlined about two-dozen goals for the 60-day session that starts Wednesday.

Tax cuts top the list, and include immediately abolishing the business franchise tax and sales tax on groceries.

As The Associated Press reports, "Other goals include requiring a two-thirds majority to pass any future tax hikes, and a law to limit government growth to the rate of inflation."

Besides taxes, agenda topics include the court system and illegal immigration. The Register-Herald of Beckley and The Charleston Gazette also covered the GOP press conference. MetroNews (with audio) spoke to House Minority Leader Tim Armstead, R-Kanawha, beforehand.

Several of the items would require amending the state constitution, such as a proposed ban on same-sex marriage. Delegate Craig Blair, R-Berkeley, called the House Committee on Constitutional Revision an "absolute failure."

Team Manchin Rapped for Health Care Cuts

Legislators smacked around Health and Human Resources Secretary Martha Walker and one of her top aides Monday.

The lawmakers were reacting to a new audit that revisits the 2005 ruckus created when Walker's agency tried to downsize the Aged & Disabled Waiver program.

The program allows folks in those categories to stay in their homes while receiving care. At the time, DHHR said it was trying to make eligibility criteria more objective. The audit cites DHHR meeting minutes that show "officials spoke of saving money if they cut the number of people served," The Associated Press reports.

The audit also concludes that some of the reports exaggerated the fallout of the downsizing, particularly the number of West Virginians forced into costlier nursing homes or hospitals.

The Charleston Gazette also reports on some of the drubbing from Monday's interim meeting.

Update: Public Broadcasting has a piece on the audit as well (with audio).

Manchin's 2008 Agenda

Gov. Joe Manchin has offered a few hints at what he will propose to the Legislature during Wednesday's State of the State address.

He mentioned locality pay for teachers and changes to the PROMISE scholarship during last week's forum hosted by The Associated Press.

MetroNews also previews possible Manchin agenda items.

The Herald-Dispatch of Huntington focused on Manchin's comments regarding teacher pay and other education issues. "The state's two teacher unions are calling for raises, though their proposals vary," that article notes.

Some expect little heavy lifting during the session. Manchin is up for re-election this year, as is the entire 100-seat House of Delegates and half the 34-member Senate.

AP also reports that as Manchin heads into the fourth and final session of his term, "slightly more than four out of every five bills that the former legislator has proposed since taking office in 2005 have become law."

Legislature 2008: Health Care Spending

West Virginia's doctors and hospitals may spend the upcoming session battling it out over the way the state regulates health care spending.

As The Associated Press' Tom Breen explains, the state now requires providers to obtain a "certificate of need" before they can expand services or facilities, or acquire new equipment.

The goal has been to "hold down health care costs while ensuring high quality and broad access to treatment," the article said. But some doctors argue the system unfairly favors hospitals, as in the case of the recent fight over CT scanners.

In their corner, the doctors have Sen. Evan Jenkins, D-Cabell, and executive director of their medical association.

‘‘So much of what we do as legislators in general is look to see if we’re out of step,’’ Jenkins told Breen. ‘‘Right now, we are in a minority of states with a very restrictive and comprehensive regulatory environment.’’

Breen also found that "36 states and the District of Columbia have some form of certificate of need process, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures, although they vary widely in how far they go in regulation."

Defenders of the system include the state Hospital Association. ‘‘In spite of our poor health status, we are the 44th lowest in the country in terms of hospital expenses,’’ its legislative affairs director, Tony Gregory, told AP

Legislature 2008: Asbestos

An ongoing push for legislation targeting asbestos lawsuits suffered a major blow Sunday when an authority on the topic called the draft bill "a mistake" and "unnecessary," The Associated Press reports.

Retired Kanawha Circuit Judge Andrew MacQueen presided over thousands of asbestos claims during his 22 years on the bench. He also helped West Virginia's court system develop a management plan for these complicated cases that has resolved tens of thousands of additional claims.

"There's no reason for it,'' MacQueen told lawmakers. "None of the players in the asbestos litigation are coming to you asking for changes to this arrangement.''

Advocates of the bill include insurers and the state Chamber of Commerce, which has included it on its 2008 agenda.

Legislature 2008: Workers' Compensation

Legislators are pressing ahead with a bid to more closely scrutinize West Virginia's workers' compensation system as it rolls toward full privatization.

The state's insurance commissioner is fleshing out the rules, policies and guidelines through which this form of insurance would operate in a free market.

The Associated Press reports on the latest stab to fashion a bill that would have lawmakers ride herd during that process.

Critics include Insurance Commissioner Jane Cline, who warns of a potential "chilling effect" on privatization efforts.

And Gov. Joe Manchin wants the Legislature instead to wait a year or two before making any such changes, The Register-Herald reports.

The Beckley newspaper also covered Sunday's interim action on the topic.

Low-Vision Driving in W.Va.

A simple technology would allow West Virginians with severely impaired vision to drive safely _ if the state would consider granting them special, restricted licenses, advocates for the disabled say.

The Legislature will be asked to allow for such licenses during the regular session that begins Wednesday. Tom Breen, who covers health care issues for The Associated Press, has the details.

"Similar programs have been adopted in 39 other states, and West Virginia was actually the first in the country to try the program as a pilot in the 1980s," Breen reports. "But the program ended in 1998, and attempts to revive it in the Legislature have fallen short in the face of concerns from the Division of Motor Vehicles."

Lawmakers reviewed the issue as part of the ongoing series of interim meetings. The Register-Herald of Beckley has a story as well.

GOP Convention Update

Seven GOP presidential candidates remain in the running to lock up 18 of West Virginia's delegates to the Republican National Convention.

Rudy Giuliani, Mike Huckabee, Duncan Hunter, John McCain, Ron Paul, Mitt Romney and Fred Thompson have all filed final registration papers for the Feb. 5 state convention, and submitted slates of the 18 each wants to send to Minneapolis-St. Paul in September.

Of the remaining candidates who missed the Dec. 31 deadline, only Alan Keyes had state convention delegates pledged to him. All six face contested races for their at-large seats, however.

The slates, meanwhile, show that several delegates pledged to no candidate at the state convention have committed to representing one at the national convention. Mitt Romney has the most of those, at six.

Online voting has begun to resolve contested at-large seats in 30 counties, though it's unclear how many state GOP members have registered to cast ballots that way. Counties can also hold local conventions to settle their at-large slots. Five _ Berkeley, Marion, Morgan, Pleasants and Woods, have already held theirs. Conventions are scheduled in eight others: Fayette, Harrison, Jefferson, Mineral, Monongalia, Nicholas (underway), Ohio and Tucker.

The Parkersburg News and The Intelligencer of Wheeling each have stories on the local voting in those areas.

Legislature 2008: W.Va.'s Economy

As they gear up for the 2008 regular session of the Legislature, reporters and editors from around West Virginia attended a Friday "lookahead" forum hosted by The Associated Press.

As AP reports, the conference kicked off with a panel discussion of whether the Mountain State is "Open for Business." The discussion focused on Unleashing Capitalism, the book published last year and edited by West Virginia University economics professor Russ Sobel.

Rather than debate the merits of the book, the panelists instead differed over how quickly to implement its libertarian proposals.

The book was published by the West Virginia Public Policy Foundation, one of a string of conservative, free-market think tanks begun in numerous states nationwide within the last several years. It was bankrolled by WVU donor Ken Kendrick (yes, that Ken Kendrick.)

Though the panel, selected by editors and publishers of AP's newspaper members, included no critic of the book, questions have been raised about its contents. Some have come from Sobel's colleagues at WVU's College of Business and Economics.

The CB&E's Clifford Hawley, for instance, blasted the book last year in an op-ed to The State Journal (no link available).

More recently, researchers at WVU's Institute for Public Affairs dismissed some of the book's findings in its most recent Public Affairs Reporter.

Ted Boettner, the newly minted executive director of the West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy, called the book into question in a 2007 opinion piece. Dim views of the book have also been expressed by the liberal-leaning Economic Policy Institute and blogger Rick Wilson of the West Virginia Economic Justice Project.

The critics also include legislators from both parties, who took to the floor of the House of Delegates last year to denounce its chapter on West Virginia's coal mining industry as unsupported historical revisionism.

And Public Broadcasting sought to provide context to the book's allegations _ and to the argument conveyed by its contrasting cover photos _ in a piece last year that featured a testy exchange with Sobel.

Besides the editors and publishers who helped assemble Friday's panel, fans of the book includes West Virginia Media. Besides favorable coverage in its State Journal, the organization has hosted Sobel several times on its weekend morning television show.

The state Republican Party, meanwhile, has distributed free copies of the book and embraced its message as the foundation for its 2008 election strategy.

Sobel has decried allegations of partisan leanings. He has also appeared at GOP functions to declare that “The ideas put forth in my book are more consistent with those of the Republican Party than those of the Democratic party.”

The Register-Herald of Beckley also has a story on the Friday panel session.

One Year Later

THOMAS MORE: Why not be a teacher? You'd be a fine teacher. Perhaps even a great one.

RICHARD RICH: And if I was, who would know it?

MORE: You, your pupils, your friends, God. Not a bad public, that . . .

-- A Man For All Seasons, Act One.

W.Va.'s Stickler Back In at MSHA - Updated

The White House announced Friday that President Bush intends to designate Richard Stickler as acting assistant secretary of Labor for Mine Safety and Health.

Stickler, a West Virginia native, had held a recess appointment to that post. But that expired Dec. 31 as his MSHA bio page notes.

Update: The Associated Press clarifies the situation. "Stickler could have been limited to a 210-day stay starting from Bush's designation Friday," AP reports. "But since his latest nomination is still pending in the Senate, the White House says, the time limit does not apply and Stickler will likely serve until the end of the Bush administration."

The Democratic-controlled Senate has so far refused to approve his nomination, AP also noted.

The Charleston Gazette reported earlier that agency staffer John Pallasch had been named acting assistant secretary, and has a bulletin on the latest development.

"The initial article noted that "it’s not clear how long Pallasch will be running the $340 million agency or if President Bush plans to submit a different nominee to Congress."

"Amy Louviere, an MSHA spokeswoman, declined to answer such questions. Louviere referred a reporter to David James, the top spokesman for Labor Secretary Elaine Chao," the article said. "James did not return repeated phone calls. In an e-mail response, James said that, under the federal Vacancies Act, Pallasch took over immediately upon Stickler's departure. James did not elaborate on what Chao's plans are for MSHA leadership through the rest of Bush's term."

Iowa & W.Va. (Updated)

Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., raised about $2,300 from West Virginians before dropping out of the Democratic race for president, according to the most recent Federal Election Commission filings.

The other departing Democrat, Sen. Chris Dodd of Connecticut, had received a $20 donation from the Mountain State that was then refunded.

All told, West Virginians contributed more than $584,000 to presidential contenders by the end of September. Figures from the final quarter of 2007 are expected later this month.

Of Iowa's winners, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., has attracted nearly $23,000 from the state. Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee has received $100 for his GOP bid.

Huckabee also has 144 delegates pledged to him for the Republican Party's state convention, the latest roster shows. With counties deciding contested at-large seats this month, Huckabee can count on at least 28 delegates for Feb. 5.

W.Va.'s Stickler Out at MSHA

West Virginia native Richard Stickler is apparently no longer the nation's mine safety chief, The Charleston Gazette reports.

"Earlier this week, Stickler’s biography was removed from the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration’s Web site," the article said. "And on Thursday, MSHA officials revealed that agency staffer John Pallasch had been named to Stickler’s job — assistant labor secretary for mine safety and health — on an acting basis."

The article also observes that Stickler's presidential appointment as head of MSHA expired Monday, "and the Democratic-controlled Senate had refused to approve a renomination proposed by Bush."

W.Va. Sticking With E-Voting Machines

West Virginia will not follow the lead of other states and decertify its electronic voting machines, The Associated Press reports.

The Secretary of State's office affirmed its reliance on the devices "just weeks after top officials in Ohio and Colorado declared such machines unfit for elections," the AP article said. "Thirty-four West Virginia counties use Election Systems and Software's iVotronic touch-screen machines."

The article also notes that "There are no documented cases of actual election tampering involving electronic voting machines across the United States. But in tests, researchers in Ohio and Colorado found they could be corrupted with magnets or Treos and other similar handheld devices."

HeatherGate Goes National

The Chronicle of Higher Education has picked up on the HeatherGate story (aka DegreeGate, MBA Mystery and Mylan-Manchin-Mike G. Morass).

A subscription is required, but here's the teaser:

"Michael S. Garrison was controversial at West Virginia University even before his arrival in September as president. Now he is linked to a developing scandal that raises questions about the ties between the university and the state's power brokers in politics and business."

Update: As The Associated Press and others have noted, the program at issue is an Executive Master of Business Administration, described by AP as "designed for people who continue to work full time while pursuing a degree, primarily through evening classes."

HeatherGate Probe Team Picked

Two West Virginia University professors and a state education official will review the school's awarding of an MBA degree to Heather Bresch, a daughter of Gov. Joe Manchin and Mylan Inc.'s chief operating officer.

The Charleston Daily Mail has the story. Roy Nutter, a computer science and electrical engineering professor, and French professor Michael Lastinger will be joined on the panel by Bruce Flack, vice chancellor for academic affairs for the state's Higher Education Policy Commission.

Nutter is on WVU's Faculty Senate, while both he and Lastinger have chaired that body.

"Lastinger was the lone board member to oppose the appointment of Mike Garrison as David Hardesty's replacement" as WVU's president, the Daily Mail reported. "Flack was appointed vice chancellor of the Higher Education Policy Commission in October 2005. Flack had previously held several positions with the commission and was also a professor of history, vice president for academic affairs and interim president at Glenville State College."

The Associated Press also has a version of the story.

AG McGraw Under Fire Over Settlements

Public Broadcasting examines the dual moves by federal officials to withhold Medicaid funds from West Virginia because of Attorney General Darrell McGraw's handling of a pair of related settlements.

"The federal government has a problem with how the settlement money has been spent," the report said. "But McGraw’s office says the federal government has no claim on the money, and the threats to collect are politically motivated."

Milestones, 2007

• Mark Coyle, 42, former Statehouse reporter for MetroNews and longtime GOP political operative.

• Claude "Big Daddy" Ellis, 81, Logan County politico and figure in West Virginia's 1960 Democratic Presidential primary.

• Kenneth Ervin, 45, advocate for West Virginians with disabilities.

• Simon Hirsch "Si" Galperin Jr., 75, lobbyist and former Kanawha County legislator.

• Robert James Gould, 48, veteran Republican activist.

• Lawson W. Hamilton Jr., 84, coal operator, philanthropist and GOP donor.

• Margarette Leach, 81, former veteran Cabell County legislator.

• Martha Wehrle, 81, former longtime Kanawha County legislator and Democratic activist.

Questions Persist About Manchin's Daughter's WVU Degree

The Charleston Gazette is among those reporting that West Virginia University will appoint a panel "to look into a disputed master’s degree for Gov. Joe Manchin’s daughter, Mylan Pharmaceuticals executive Heather Bresch."

After breaking the story, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette also examines this latest development. It observes that the three-member investigative committee will include someone from the Higher Education Policy Commission, and that Manchin appoints seven of that body's 10 members.

WBOY-TV asked WVU President Mike Garrison about the controversy during an interview earlier this week. Specific video clips are here and here. (The first clip touches on Bresch about two-thirds of the way though, just as the camera zooms in on Garrison's hands.)

Others reporting on the story include The Associated Press and Public Broadcasting, which also relays a Mylan statement in support of its chief operating officer. "Rather than relying on anonymous and unsubstantiated sources, Mylan has received confirmation from West Virginia University that Ms. Bresch received her MBA in December 1998," the statement said.

The head of the agency that gives final accreditation to the WVU program that awarded the degree, meanwhile, tells the Charleston Daily Mail that the controversy "has no affect" on its accreditation.

Update: The Sunday Gazette-Mail takes a step back to offer context to the story, by examining the role such a degree plays in the business world.

"If, for instance, Bresch lacked the skills implicit in an MBA, she would simply be at a loss to do her job as chief operating officer of a global, multibillion-dollar corporation like Mylan," the article said, citing comments from an authority on the topic.

Census Estimates Slight Growth in W.Va.

The Charleston Daily Mail mines the latest Census Bureau estimates to report that "West Virginia has gained population for the sixth consecutive year."

But with a growth rate of 0.2%, the 2006-2007 increase (of 3,336 residents) "puts it among the nation's slow-growth states," the newspaper found. " Nevada is the fastest growing, with an estimated population increase of 2.9 percent this year," the article said, while " Michigan and Rhode Island lost population this year."

The article also compares the Mountain State's estimate with its neighbors, and offers a graphic as well.

Legislature 2008: Teachers

After years as the House Education Committee's vice chairman, Delegate Larry Williams outlines a proposal to The Associated Press for recruiting and keeping teachers in West Virginia.

The Preston County Democrat plans to propose a bill next month "that would exempt qualifying teachers from paying state income taxes when they work in areas of critical need," AP education writer Shaya Tayefe Mohajer reports.

"Williams says he prefers the idea to college tuition rebates and loan forgiveness programs," the article continues, "because similar efforts other states, 'had the problem with people leaving. And collecting the tuition money back can be quite difficult once they’re gone.'"

PETA Likes This Byrd

The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals has named U.S. Sen. Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va., its 2007 Person of the Year "for his passionate defense of animals throughout six decades of public service."

Noting that the 90-year-old "was a meat cutter in his youth," the group said that Byrd "has evolved into a tireless advocate for improving legal protection for animals, including animals who are slaughtered for food."

PETA notes Byrd's floor speech earlier this year denouncing dogfighting, and his co-authoring of the "American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act" that recently earned him a visit from Bo Derek.

The Associated Press has a story, as does MetroNews.

"PETA does not support or oppose any candidate for public office or any political party," the group noted in its release.

Margarette Leach, 1926-2007

Former longtime Cabell County legislator Margarette Leach died Sunday at age 81.

The Herald-Dispatch of Huntington has an article as well as photo gallery and her obituary.

Elected to seven terms in the House of Delegates, Leach's health had been failing for some time. She relied on a motorized scooter to get around the Capitol, and fellow delegates to help her to and from her seat on the House floor. Her health sidelined her during the 2006 campaign, and she became the only incumbent Democrat to lose that November.

Gov. Joe Manchin issued a brief statement on Leach's passing.

The Tancredo Factor in W.Va. (updated)

Rep. Tom Tancredo, R-Colo., raised about $2,000 from seven West Virginians for his GOP presidential bid, but but had not registered for the upcoming state convention before dropping out of the race last week.

(Earlier post corrected to reflect that Tancredo's not filing as a candidate in the convention explains his lack of delegates.)

Red Flags Raised Over W.Va. E-Voting Machines

Secretary of State Betty Ireland is reviewing electronic voting machines relied upon by 34 of West Virginia's 55 counties, after Colorado officials decertified the devices there.

The Associated Press article, drawn from the Clarksburg Exponent-Telegram, said that the Election Systems and Software's iVotronic touch-screens "have been barred from Colorado elections unless upgrades can be made to the software."

AP also has a story out of Colorado that details the decision by election officials there.

Ireland's officials has an online roster of each county's voting system.

WVU, Manchin's Daughter Under Fire Over MBA Degree

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette is questioning whether a daughter of Gov. Joe Manchin earned the master's degree in business administration that West Virginia University has awarded her.

Heather Bresch, now the chief operating officer at drug maker Mylan Inc., "completed only about half the credits needed to earn the degree," the newspaper reports.

But WVU revised its records to reflect that she completed her degree in December 1998, the article said.

"An Oct. 22 letter advising the admissions and records office to award Ms. Bresch the degree retroactively was signed by R. Stephen Sears, the Milan Puskar Dean of WVU's business school," the article said. "As a result, six classes were added to her record and grades were awarded for two other classes for which she had received 'incompletes,' according to sources inside the university."

(Update: A WVU spokeswoman tells The Associated Press that "Bresch's records were corrected, but only after an investigation showed that information contained in the College of Business and Economics files was not properly recorded in WVU's admission's office a decade ago." Also, " similar problems were discovered in the records of a couple of other students," spokeswoman Amy Neil said.)

The newspaper said it began researching the school record of Bresch, 38, when she was promoted earlier that month at Mylan. It notes that the company is chaired by Puskar, considered WVU's most generous donor and a supporter of Manchin.

The research "suggests high-ranking officials revised her university records despite a lack of solid evidence to support the reconstruction," the Post-Gazette reports. "Moreover, it suggests officials did so in a way that violated WVU's internal procedures and those used by other accredited universities."

The article's cast of characters includes WVU President Mike Garrison, who took office Sept. 1 and is described as "a high school classmate of Ms. Bresch and longtime friend of the Manchin family."

Quote of the Day

"I just want West Virginia to get the $4 million. If someone is generous enough to pay it, that's fine."

- Gov. Joe Manchin, to The Associated Press regarding the buyout clause in the contract of now-former WVU head football coach (and lifelong friend) Rich Rodriguez.

School officials argue that Rodriguez triggered that clause by leaving for Michigan, but "several wealthy donors to the school have alleged WVU let down its coach," AP reports.

This Week in W.Va. Gambling

The Associated Press reports on the debut of more casino table games at West Virginia's two Northern Panhandle racetracks. Roulette and blackjack have joined the poker games that began there in October.

The Intelligencer of Wheeling marks the expansion of legalized gambling in that city, at the redubbed Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack, and in nearby Hancock County with the additional games launched at Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack & Resort.

The tracks pursued table games to blunt the loss of gamblers to the slot machine venues opening in Pennsylvania. The poker tables at Wheeling Island and Mountaineer "brought in a better-than-expected $1.39 million of revenue in November," The Charleston Gazette reports.

The Gazette also reports that after endorsing table games for its local track (by a 2-1 vote) , the Kanawha County Commission plans to ask the Legislature next month "to put a stop to neighborhood gambling parlors."

Home Rule in the Mountain State

Huntington's city council plans to vote Friday whether to move forward under a "home rule" pilot project that would allow it greater tax-levying and other powers.

The Herald-Dispatch has the details. Among its components, the home rule plan would "overhaul the city's tax structure by implementing a sales tax and/or occupation tax and repealing the $2-a-week user fee and reducing the business and occupation tax," the newspaper reports.

Wheeling, meanwhile, submitted its plan to take part in the five-year pilot program earlier this week, The Intelligencer reports. Public Broadcasting examines that city's proposal as well (with audio).

Up to five municipalities can participate. Bridgeport has also approved a plan, Weirton's was defeated by its city council and Fairmont's foundered over constitutional concerns, the Herald-Dispatch reports.

Starcher Out in '08

Supreme Court Justice Larry Starcher will not seek another 12-year term next year, the court announced Thursday.

"By the end of next year, I will have served the West Virginia judiciary for 32 years. It has been an honor to have worked for the people of our State for so long," Starcher, a former circuit judge, said in the release. "I am making this announcement because there are several very good candidates who have expressed interest in running for the Court in 2008. They need to know my intentions."

The Associated Press has coverage, as does MetroNews and The Charleston Gazette.

Starcher explained to the latter that his statement in the release meant “Don’t elect any incumbents." Justice Elliott "Spike" Maynard, who like Starcher won his high court seat in 1996, is running for re-election.

They Voted For You: Iraq & Federal Spending II

U.S. Reps. Alan Mollohan, D-1st, and Shelley Moore Capito, R-2nd, voted for the $555 billion spending measure that includes $70 billion for Iraq and Afghanistan operations.

Rep. Nick Rahall, D-3rd, voted against the bill, which prevailed 272-142.

The vote sends the measure to the president, and ends a failed effort by some Democrats "to use war spending legislation to force a change in Bush's Iraq policy," The Associated Press reports.

"But Bush and Republicans held a powerful hand. They knew Democrats would not let money lapse for troops overseas," the article continues. "That allowed a Bush veto in May and GOP stalling tactics to determine the outcome."

Some of that conflict was on display when the bill passed the Senate earlier this week.

Battling Tobacco in the Mountain State

While it labors with one of the highest percentage of smokers and "dippers" in the country, West Virginia reports inroads in reducing tobacco use, The Associated Press' Tom Breen reports.

"State data shows a decline in the adult smoking rate for four consecutive years, the first time such a drop has been recorded," Breen found. "The drop in underage smoking has been more dramatic. From 2000 to 2005, the smoking rate among high school students dropped from 38.5 percent to 27.8 percent."

This "despite a roughly $21 million gap between what the state spends on prevention and what the federal government recommends," Breen reports.

"Roughly 4,000 West Virginians die every year from tobacco-related causes, while direct health costs stemming from tobacco annually cost the state roughly $1 billion, according to figures from the state Department of Health and Human Resources," the AP article said.

W.Va.'s Sporting Economy

Both The Register-Herald of Beckley and the News and Sentinel of Parkersburg have takes on a new report that ranks West Virginia 16th for the hunting and fishing component of its economy.

"More than 25,000 jobs are directly supported by West Virginia hunters and anglers, the report said, which produced $491 million in paychecks," the Beckley article said. "This also results in big benefits to state and local coffers with another $172 million generated through taxes."

The Parkersburg paper noted the report's comparison that "Sportsmen support twice as many jobs in West Virginia as the Ruby Day Surgery Center in Morgantown and the Charleston Area Medical Center combined (25,000 jobs vs. 11,000)."

State Trims Jail Fees

Counties across the state are reacting to a move by the regional jail authority to whittle down the daily per-inmate fee it charges them by two percent.

"While the difference is only 97 cents per inmate each day, it represents an estimated $100,000 annual savings for Kanawha County alone," The Associated Press reports.

Those gauging local reaction, to an issue that prompted a Supreme Court fight, include The Register-Herald of Beckley, the Bluefield Daily Telegraph, the Charleston Daily Mail, the Herald-Dispatch of Huntington, and MetroNews.

They Voted For You: Iraq & Federal Spending

In the end, Sens. Robert C. Byrd and Jay Rockefeller, both D-W.Va., joined the majority in passing a massive, $555 billion spending bill Tuesday.

But the final 76-17 vote followed a series of other roll calls that focused on a provision "to provide $70 billion for U.S. military efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan," as The Associated Press reports.

The final vote on that provision was 70-25, with Rockefeller in the majority by Byrd voting "nay."

The Democratic leadership's approach to Iraq war funding had required at least 60 votes to proceed, but failed 48-46 with Byrd and Rockefeller both on the losing side.

Aided by as many as 21 Democrats and by Sen. Joe Lieberman, I-Conn., Senate Republicans turned back several other related measures:

• By 50-45, an amendment "to express the sense of Congress on the transition of the missions of United States Forces in Iraq to a more limited set of missions as specified by the President on September 13, 2007." Rockefeller and Byrd both supported the measure;

• By 24-71, an amendment "to provide for the safe redeployment of United States troops from Iraq." Rockefeller and Byrd both supported the measure.

Not All is Rosy for W.Va. Tracks

With its Northern Panhandle sisters expanding their casino table game offerings this week, Tri-State Racetrack & Gaming Center has "hit a snag and delayed starting poker games until next year," The Associated Press reports.

"Officials had hoped to begin offering poker games at the first of the year," the article said. "But officials at the Nitro track said there have been problems with getting classes for poker dealers up and running."

Meanwhile, officials at one of the panhandle tracks tell The Intelligencer of Wheeling that an indoor smoking ban "would have as much a negative effect on the track’s bottom line as competition from Pennsylvania slot machines."

As the Kanawha County Health Department expanded its ban on smoking to include all areas of Tri-State last month, "this move has sparked some interest among Ohio County health officials to stop smoking in all areas of Wheeling Island’s track," that newspaper reported.

Sharpton Shows Up

The Rev. Al Sharpton, activist and 2004 presidential candidate, highlighted a Tuesday rally meant to drum up support for hate crimes charges in the Megan Williams case.

"If the federal government can intervene to protect dogs from Michael Vick in Virginia then they can do something to protect Megan Williams in West Virginia," Sharpton told The Associated Press' Shaya Tayefe Mohajer.

Sharpton addressed a crowd of about 100 at First Baptist Church in Charleston. "Sharpton pledged to talk about the case every day on his syndicated radio talk show, and presented Megan Williams' mother, Carmen, with a $1,000 cash gift," AP reported. "Megan Williams did not attend the event."

Others who covered the rally include The Charleston Gazette and MetroNews (with audio of Sharpton and of fellow activist Malik Shabazz).

WSAZ-TV has raw video of Sharpton's entire remarks. WOWK-TV has video as well, while WCHS-TV has a preview segment.

Senate Dems Byrd Hunting?

The Politico reports today that "A group of Senate Democrats has begun quietly exploring ways to replace the venerable Sen. Robert Byrd (D-W.Va.) as chairman of the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee."

But a figure in one scenario of the alleged conspiracy, U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., "denied any plan to replace Byrd, adding that she has not been approached by any colleague with such a proposal," The Associated Press reports.

The Politico article said that while "Democratic insiders caution, though, that no decision has been made," there is "is broad discontent among committee members over the way Byrd has run the panel this year and the resulting problems in completing work on the fiscal 2008 spending bills."

"His physical condition has been slowly deteriorating for years, and he cannot walk now without the assistance of aides," that article continues. "Byrd has difficultly running committee hearings, and he relies heavily on staffers for guidance."

Byrd staffers told The Politico that "they had not heard any proposals to oust the senator," and "defended the job he has done under difficult circumstances."

Murray, meanwhile, told AP, "As far as I'm concerned, there is no truth to this story. I will continue to work with Chairman Byrd and other members of leadership to pass spending bills that reflect the priorities of the American people."

Questions about Byrd's age and health circulated earlier this year.

2007 has also been marked by the senior senator's denunciation of dogfighting, his quizzing of Iraq war planners, his handling of both administration officials and hecklers at a committee hearing, and his speech before President Clinton's at a Democratic Party dinner.

He also recently celebrated his 90th birthday, as well as the unveiling of his portrait on Capitol Hill. And, he met Bo Derek.

Update: Byrd gave one of several Senate floor speeches earlier this afternoon honoring a departing Sen. Trent Lott, and the Mississippi Republican returned the favor in thanking his colleagues for their kind words.

Prompt Ruling Urged in Manor Care Case

A national nursing home chain does not want to wait until January to hear whether West Virginia health care regulators will allow the sale of its Mountain State facilities to proceed.

Manor Care argues the delay is costing its investors $1 million a day, its officials told The Associated Press' Tom Breen.

Those investors include the state, which holds about 161,000 shares of Manor Care stock with funds from state pension programs, AP reports.

The Health Care Authority does not expect to rule until after New Year's Day on a request to reconsider its earlier approval of The Carlyle Group's buyout bid.

The authority has placed a stay on that earlier decision, and AP reported on Friday's rehearing in the case.

The labor union that has pushed for the reconsideration told Breen that "slowing down the process is the right way to ensure that any questions about changes to patient care and staffing levels are adequately addressed."

W.Va. Governor Weighs in on Coach's Exit

Gov. Joe Manchin wants his longtime friend, departing WVU football coach Rich Rodriguez, held to the clause that would require him to pay $4 million to get out of his contract.

The Charleston Gazette, among others, have reported on Manchin's comments in the wake of Rodriquez's decision to leave for the University of Michigan's program.

Amid its thorough coverage of the move, MetroNews has a lengthy interview with the governor on the topic (with audio).

Manchin has issued a statement on the coach's resignation, and is also urging fans to not let that loss deter them from attending the Fiesta Bowl.