Discussion: West Virginia Gov. Vetoes Budget Next To Pile Of 'Bull-You-Know-What' (VIDEO)

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Yep. A pro-Trumpp tidal wave hit WV and this guy won the governor’s race as a Democrat. This guy gives me hope that Manchin can hold his Senate seat in 2018, though my hope is tempered by the fact that a Democratic governor is more the rule than the exception in WV (Dems have held the office since 2001).

The GOP legislature wanted to rely almost entirely on spending cuts to fix a shortfall of about $500 million in a $4 billion general fund budget. Cuts like that create a downward spiral in the quality of infrastructure and human capital. WV has been losing population every year since 2013, so the last thing it needs is to make it even easier for people to make the decision to leave the state.

If he can sell the populace on the benefits of government investment, and can do it in a way that dodges the usual charge that government spending can only be a drag on an economy, I’m for it. Even better if he hijacks the appeal of Trumpp (make WV great again) and paints the GOP as obstacles to the dream of a better economy.

I don’t know beans about Jim Justice or about WV politics, but I liked a couple things I read:

Later Wednesday, during his State of the State speech, Justice apologized for the proposed tax increases.

“I truly, from the bottom of my heart, hate tax increases,” he said, adding it’s “the most painless way I think you can get out of this mess. If you don’t do this, you’re dead. You’re dead beyond belief.”

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Justice said he felt actions to make West Virginia more attractive have come up short, including reducing the corporate income tax.

“Has it worked? Are things better?” he said.

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The question that popped into my mind was if his staff could tell the difference between a bull, a steer, or a cow?

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When he’s done being the Governor of West Virginia, I hope Mr Justice moves to Arizona becomes governor and straightens out our legislature.

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All I’m really saying is that certain people in certain states don’t like being perceived as hicks and resent people they think are strengthening the stereotype. Not really a political observation—I’m hesitant to characterize whole states anyway, always have been.

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the most confusing commenting system I’ve ever seen… sounds to me the like the government of West Virginia is confusing also… the legislature the PEOPLE selected at odds with the governor the people selected… the people need a lesson in voting for their SELF INTEREST… one way or the other…

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No wonder trump’s so full of it!

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Well, yes. People do need a lesson in voting in their self-interest, but before that can be done they need help to figure out what that self-interest is. As to the legislature being at odds with the governor, allow me to point out:

  • Incumbency is a powerful thing.
  • The state legislative districts in West Virginia are almost sure as gerrymandered as the congressional districts.
  • As long as we allow politicians to choose their constituencies rather
    than voters choosing elected officials, we are going to have this
    problem in districted offices.
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Can you imagine Obama doing that? No.

He’s needs better writers.

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Reminds me of Stallone in “Demolition Man” “Take this job… and shovel it. Close enough.”

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Is that Michelle Fiore?

Surely not ! not a gun in sight …