The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

Editorials

August 14, 2011

Disservice

The Register-Herald

BECKLEY — Acting Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin had to veto a redistricting plan for West Virginia’s House of Delegates because of mapping errors.

Another brick in the wall in this flawed process that reeks of payback and cronyism.

And since Tomblin is calling the Legislature back to Charleston to address the shoddy redistricting work put forth by the House leadership earlier this month, state taxpayers will be forking out tens of thousands more for another special session.

But hey, they had to make sure they got the legislation passed, right or not, so numerous legislators and staff could get on the jet to San Antonio for a national conference. Cha-ching! The taxpayers footed that tab too.

If that isn’t enough to make you sick, the state, and yes the taxpayers, can also expect more expenses from lawsuits that certainly will be filed over the redistricting fiasco — even after they “fix” the map.

This clusterbomb should send a clear message to all West Virginians that those responsible for the snafus committed a tremendous disservice to the state.

If this were a private-sector business and mistakes like these were made, you can be darn sure that heads would roll.

Just when West Virginia seemed to be getting its act back together and putting the sins of the past behind us, something ugly like this pops up and reminds everyone of days gone by — those dark days of shady, backdoor deals that benefit the politicians while depriving the citizenry of adequate, fair and equal representation.

When’s the next election?

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