Recent editorials from West Virginia newspapers:
May 17
Herald-Dispatch, Huntington, W.Va., on preparing for changing job market:
The issues related to West Virginia's prison overcrowding problem keep piling up, and the state simply can't wait to invest at least some extra money if it wants to solve one of them.
Otherwise, the overcrowding will just get worse.
In recent years, as prisons managed by the Division of Corrections reached capacity, more and more inmates under the state's auspices have been placed in the state's 10 regional jails, which were meant to hold people who committed lesser crimes or were awaiting trial.
At this point, nearly 1,800 Division of Corrections prisoners are in regional jails, most of them considered lower risk. The regional jails now house nearly 2,000 more prisoners than intended, leading to placing two prisoners in cells designed for only one person.
The complication is that many of those Corrections prisoners in the jails could work toward parole and release from incarceration if only they completed treatment and rehabilitation programs. Trouble is they can't, because the various programs aren't available at the regional jails.
The situation was spelled out to lawmakers twice recently. The first time was to the legislative Oversight Commission on Regional Jails and Corrections during the Legislature's interim meetings. The second was while about 30 legislators and their aides toured the South Central Regional Jail in South Charleston.
The tour was informative to participants, who saw first-hand how cramped the conditions are, according to a report in the Charleston Daily Mail. That's worth noting, because some officials have warned that if the state doesn't relieve the crowding, federal courts could step in and order a remedy, such as widespread early release of prisoners.
The state and counties have instituted alternative sentencing programs, and lawmakers are split on whether construction of a new prison at a cost of $120 million to $200 million is needed. But a new prison alone wouldn't be a complete solution.
Meanwhile, the state should pursue every available option to combat the problem. An obvious one is devising a way to get the needed treatment and rehabilitation programs to inmates in the jail so they can become eligible for parole. ...
Online:
http://www.herald-dispatch.net
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May 18
The Charleston (W.Va.) Daily Mail on corporate welfare backed by ratepayers:
Everyone wants Century Aluminum to restart its aluminum smelter at Ravenwood. Hundreds of people would go back to work, and the surrounding area would recover economically.
But West Virginians should not be forced to subsidize Century's power bills to make it happen.
The state Public Service Commission should reject the company's proposal.
Century, a heavy power user, already stands to receive not only a subsidy from other taxpayers, but a subsidy from Appalachian Power Co.'s other industrial, business and residential power customers as well.
During the ceremony, he said, "With this scholarship we are investing in you, and in a few years, with your degree in hand, I hope that you will invest in us here for our future."
Century wants to preserve the option of dumping its power costs on other ratepayers.
In fact, Century wants the powers that be in West Virginia to guarantee that it can make a profit if it restarts the smelter.
How's that for brass?
As Daily Mail Business Editor George Hohmann reported, Century benefited starting in 2006 from a rate structure that let it smooth out its power bills. It paid more when the price of aluminum was high, and less when the price dipped low.
The overpayments in flush times were "banked" in a special account to offset the lower revenue available in lean times.
The company shut down the smelter in 2009. It has subsequently racked up a $22.7 million bill for power.
Under the 2006 agreement approved by the PSC, the power company now has little choice but to seek to recover that money from other customers.
But it gets worse. ...
It seeks a new cost-smoothing rate structure that could again force other customers — including residential customers — to subsidize its business.
In the end, West Virginians who do not have company-provided health benefits in retirement could be asked to pay higher power bills so Century retirees can have them.
Online:
http://www.dailymail.com
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May 19
The Inter-Mountain, Elkins, W.Va., on the jobs for graduates in the state:
This week marked the 10th year of PROMISE Scholarships - the $4,750 financial aid package to West Virginia students who attain certain academic achievements and plan to further their education at an in-state school.
At Elkins High School, Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin personally presented 45 students with the awards. During the ceremony, he said, "With this scholarship we are investing in you, and in a few years, with your degree in hand, I hope that you will invest in us here for our future."
In the coming week, scores of other students throughout the region will be among the 3,200 statewide PROMISE Scholarship recipients. That amounts to $15.2 million West Virginia is putting toward students' education. The return could be invaluable.
The knowledge and skills these students can put to work for their home state can make us stronger and more competitive.
It is our hope that when the students complete their educations, jobs will be available and together they can help West Virginia prosper.
Online:
http://www.theintermountain.com