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Editorial

Special session could’ve been worse, could’ve been better

We have mixed feelings about the special session that ended Tuesday. It could have been worse (à la long, expensive ones of the past), but it could also have been better, considering some of things addressed should have been handled during the regular session. On the one hand, Gov. Jim Justice did the fiscally responsible thing by calling for the special session to mostly coincide with the already-scheduled interim meetings. Because lawmakers were set to gather anyway, there was minimal extra expense in calling the special session. (Special sessions and interim meetings involve ...

MPO should say no to WVDOT refund request

The West Virginia Department of Transportation wants to take back money that it promised for the Exit 155 reconstruction. The Morgantown Monongalia Metropolitan Planning Organization Policy Board should tell it no. For years, Exit 155 on Interstate 79 was the main — if not the sole — access point into northern Morgantown through Star City, and it has always been crowded. Then the University Town Centre started expanding. Then the Gateway, with all its businesses, was built up. Then Mylan Park out on Chaplin Hill Road became a hub for recreation, sports, events and even more ...

For better or worse, the first of this year’s elections is now behind us. And voter turnout was disappointingly low. We could throw a bunch of numbers at you, but here are the highlights: Statewide, 30.32% of registered voters cast ballots in the primary election, and no county had participation higher than 45%; in fact, most had turnout rates in the high 20s to mid 30s. In Monongalia County, 28.09% of registered voters cast ballots. In comparison, Preston County had an impressive 39.83%. So what does all that mean? It means that roughly one-third of voters decided who gets ...

The real cost of coal for West Virginia

When the Environmental Protection Agency announced its new carbon emission rules for coal-fired plants, there were a lot of numbers that got thrown around — and quite a few that didn’t. So here’s a closer look at some numbers. As Brad McElhinny reported, coal plants that plan to stay open beyond 2039 would have to cut or capture 90% of their carbon dioxide emissions by 2032. Plants that expect to retire by 2039 would face a less stringent standard but still would have to capture some emissions. Coal plants that are set to retire by 2032 would not be subject to the new rules. ...

Meanwhile, in Morgantown …

City takes panhandling law off the books Last week, the Morgantown City Council voted to repeal a 2005 panhandling law that is the basis for a federal lawsuit against the city brought by Mountain State Justice. City Code Section 371.10 is a true “panhandling” prohibition in a way that Monongalia County’s “safety” ordinance is not. As Ben Conley reported, the law in question states it’s illegal to ask for money or other objects of value by any means with the intention of the money or objects being transferred from an occupant of a vehicle within a public roadway at that ...

MCHD wants to know: What can it do better?

What more can the Mon County Health Department do — and what can it do better? That’s what the health department would like to know, and it’s hosting town hall meetings to find out. The first town hall was last night at Morgantown High School’s library and the second one will take place from 6-7 p.m. tonight at the Clay-Battelle High School auditorium. Members of the public are encouraged to come and ask questions, make suggestions and give feedback. MCHD already provides a wide variety of services: food handler training, health inspections, free clinics and testing, ...