Sudafed & Prescription Drugs

Dear Delegate Kump;

 Thank you for the email outlining current legislative thoughts toward more restrictions on pharmaceutical purchases.  Please vote against any pharmaceutical  restrictions on Sudafed or anything else.

 Previously, when we got sick with common wintertime  ailments (cold, flu, bronchitis, coughing, etc.) we could call the family doctor and he would do a phone interview and promptly call in an antibiotic prescription, to be coupled with over the counter recommended pharmaceuticals (i.e. Sudafed).  Then the government thought they knew better what was good for us, so they prohibited prescriptions without an office visit and made the Sudafed and other OTC drugs hard to get and limited.  This destroyed a system that allowed us to quickly eliminate the disease, stay healthy and productive

 Now the procedure is that we call the doctor for an appointment, but he can't see us because there are a limited number of doctors and everybody gets sick at the same time (cold and flu season).  The doctor says go to the emergency room but that is an $ 800 out of pocket expense, so that is not going to happen unless we are dying, or you are on welfare where you never really have to pay the hospital.  Since we can't get antibiotics, the cold goes down into the chest and sets up an infection, so we develop a terrible cough, fever, and feel lousy.  This goes on for two to three weeks, instead of the previous few days.  We also get to stand in line for 20 minutes down at the rite aid because the druggist is very busy and filling out forms to buy Sudafed is not his first priority.  Those that have poor resistance continue to decline until they have to go to the emergency room for hospitalization or they die. 

 Legislatures are doing a magnificent job of taking a wonderful private health care system and pushing it backwards 100+  years.  Now we all sit around and shove warm salt water up our nose to kill infection like the ancient Romans used to do and try to figure out what homeopathic medicine we can take that will work best.  Those that work have to take off or make everybody else in the office sick (which doesn't work well when you are self employed, like my wife is), because you can't eliminate the fever quickly and you're infectious as long as you have one. 

 The elitist legislators that come up with such moron type ideas as restricting pharmaceutical treatment have no common sense and are nothing but a burden to the working class of people.  Unfortunately, they will never come to appreciate our problems because they have enough connections to get themselves and their family medically treated promptly. 

 Anyway, please vote against these Legislative "good idea fairies" and their stupid proposals.

Thanks.

Jim Slough

Berkeley Springs, West Virginia

Telephone Town Hall Survey Results

Here are the results of last Saturday's telephone issues survey of most likely 2014 Primary election voters in West Virginia House of Delegates District #59 (Berkeley & Morgan Counties):

*90% were for protecting our Constitutional (2nd Amendment) rights.

*85% were for requiring a court warrant before forcing anyone (when stopped by a law enforcement officer) to have their blood tested.

*95% were for protecting the property rights of current residential septic system owners and not forcing hook ups with the public sewer districts.

*85% were against requiring a doctor's prescription in order to purchase "Sudafed" cold medication.

*93% were against "Common Core" and for more local control of our schools.

*93% were for stopping the "Unaffordable Health Care Act" (Obamacare).

Still Sudafed Up?

 When  over-the-counter Sudafed is outlawed, will only outlaws have head colds?

 

 The evidence now is in- drug Kingpins prefer Mexico as their source of Sudafed. Click on the link below to read more about the legislative folly on Sudafed, in a recent Forbes magazine article:

http://www.forbes.com/sites/davidwhelan/2012/05/23/losing-the-war-on-meth-and-sudafed-at-the-same-time/

 

Pay Raises for Politicians?

While I serve on the West Virginia Legislature's Government Organization Interim Study Committee and this committee currently is reviewing a proposal to increase the salaries of county elected officials (see Martinsburg Journal newspaper article below), my previous position has not changed.
I adamantly oppose and will vote against any legislative committee recommendation to increase the salaries of elected officials.
The West Virginia Constitution requires the State Legislature to determine the salaries of county elected officials, but my preference is for "Home Rule" on these local issues.
Accordingly I will introduce Home Rule legislation in 2014.
My proposal will seek to amend the West Virginia Constitution, allowing county commissioners and councils to determine the salaries of elected official positions, but ONLY as long as these salary determinations are subject to a local voter referendum.
Delegate Larry D. Kump



MARTINSBURG - When asked for a group consensus, the Berkeley County Council members reiterated their consensus against supporting a pay increase for elected officials and council and commission members.

In Thursday's council meeting, members needed to provide a council representation to Vivian Parsons, executive director for the County Commissioners' Association of West Virginia, on supporting legislation for a salary increase for the 2014 legislative session.

All five council members opposed an increase in 2014.

"It's a budgetary issue for me. We're talking an increase for the council people plus the other electeds, it's a right healthy addition to our budget. Since I've been here, for the past five years, we've taken the approach to cut as much as we can; we haven't been able to give our employees raises because of that," said President Anthony Petrucci.

Most council members expressed the opinion to maintain the current pay level, $36,900, since members knew it was the salary when running for the council.

"We knew what we were getting into when we signed on. I'm perfectly content with my salary," said Jim Barnhart.

"We're still asking people to watch their budget. We're still not out of the tough economic times that we're in. When I decided to run for office, I knew what the pay was. Therefore, I feel that the pay that we get is what we committed to," Copenhaver said. "I feel everyone is entitled to more money, but at the present time, we just don't have the funds."

Both Sen. Don Cookman, D-Hampshire and Delegate Larry Kump, R-Berkeley, will be part of proposals meant to change the legislation concerning a counties' constitutional officials' salaries, although proposals do not mean it will be introduced during the 2014 legislative session.

Kump will propose a constitutional amendment to allow county commissions and councils to determine the salaries of county elected officials subject to a voter referendum approved at the next general election.

Through the Government Organization subcommittee, of which Cookman is a member, the legislation will include a 12 percent increase to elected officials' salaries and a statutory increase of three percent on July 1, 2016, and every two years afterwards.

From My Neighbor & Friend

To my fellow voters,

I'd like to encourage you to vote. It still is one of the great freedoms we're allowed in this country.

And, I'd like to encourage you to vote for Mr. Larry D. Kump.

There is a lot of things going on this country that just doesn't make sense. Voting for someone who sells lies and then goes rogue once elected into office is one of them. If a man isn't good for his word, he ain't much good for anything.

I encouraged Mr. Kump to run the first time because I've been his neighbor and have known him for a long time. His character is spot on. I knew he could & would make a difference.

Big government is slowing sucking the life out of our once great country. We're seen as a laughing stock now amongst our creditors. This country was founded on Biblical principles, designed to make us free. Now, as they are being stripped away, we the people are becoming slaves.

We need a good man who is rooted and grounded in the principles of moral conscience and liberty.

It's time to take back this land from the thieves and robbers pillaging us taxpayers.

So as an encouragement to vote - vote Mr. Larry D. Kump for the West Virginia House of Delegates...

For Freedom! ...For Liberty!... For Good Governance!

Greg Dash,
Falling Waters, West Virginia

Fixing the Unaffordable Care Act

The following was written by a Morgan County concerned citizen and shared with his permission:

While there are serious problems with our healthcare system, the "Affordable Care Act" (ACA) is not the solution. Republicans are correct to oppose it. I served several years on the State Board of our professional insurance association. We learned that, in working with the Legislature, you can't merely oppose legislation. You must offer a possible solution. The Romney campaign's failure to do so was costly.

Permit me to outline some ideas that could help address the issues of cost and also
help the involuntarily uninsured.

Allow individuals to deduct insurance premiums on their tax returns.

Allow a person to keep their health care policy when they move from one state to another.

Allow a person who loses group benefits to have an individual policy with the insurer covering the group. Allow alternative benefits that a person losing a job can afford, rather than just the same and temporary benefits under COBRA.

We need tort reform, not tort elimination. Limit malpractice lawsuits. Establish medical courts. The medical community needs to do much more to police their profession regarding malpractice.

Strengthen Medical Savings accounts so that the insured has a stake in the cost of their care. Consumers need to be able to shop for health care and know the costs of what different providers offer. Note the effects in the laser eye surgery market.

Have pre-existing open enrollment periods, as offered by Medicare, rather than enrollment after the event, like the ACA allows.

Withdraw mandatory free care in hospital emergency rooms for non life threatening situations. This is the biggest and costliest abuse.

Allow insurance companies to offer a variety of programs for consumers to choose, not just coverage mandated by the government (such as maternity coverage). Competition drives down prices. Provide liability protection for insurance companies and agents regarding consumers who claim ignorance after signing state approved contracts. Consumers must be responsible for their decisions.

Open subsidized clinics for the poor and those on Medicaid. Give Medicaid folks spending accounts so that they are responsible for how the money is spent.

I understand that some in Congress are working on these ideas. None of the above ideas require a massive increase in bureaucracy, regulations or the costs associated with complying. The ACA simply is a massive wage and price control project. In the 70's, Nixon tried wage and price controls and, of course, they didn't work. The Soviet Union and its former satellites were the premier laboratory
for wage and price controls. Human nature will find a way around them. Individuals need to be allowed to make their own decisions, not government planners. The free market works.

Like the system before it, the ACA is full of special deals and benefits for the politically connected. We need solutions that benefit everyone equally. If we can offer solutions and show the public how they can work, people will listen and accept. That will be a refreshing change from the snake oil that has been peddled for the last four years.

David Hansen
Berkeley Springs, West Virginia

Term Limits?

Some sincere citizens in Morgan County have written letters to the editor and also have contacted me, asking me to sponsor legislation to allow West Virginia unilaterally to impose term limits on our federal legislators.

Although I support term limits on all elected officials and have responded in great detail to those inquirers, it probably also is prudent to point out that, among other judicial findings of fact in multiple other jurisdictions, the United States Supreme Court ruled in 1995, that, in the absence of a Constitutional amendment, neither the States nor Congress may impose term limits on elected federal officials.

This decision upheld a 1994 ruling by the Arkansas Supreme Court on the same issue.

Those who wish further information on this issue may do their own research.

Meanwhile, as a state legislator, I have introduced legislation and will continue to advocate on behalf of term limits for our elected state officials.


Footnote: Contributions for the re-election of Delegate Kump should be mailed to "Friends of Larry D. Kump". P.O. Box 1131, Falling Waters, West Virginia 25419-1131.

The Right Thing

The following letter to the editor recently was published in a local newspaper:

Dear Editor,
Larry currently represents District #59 (Berkeley & Morgan counties) in the West Virginia House of Delegates. I know him and trust him to continue to do the right thing for West Virginia and the Eastern Panhandle. He understands the U.S. and state constitutions and believes laws must conform to them. He favors smaller, responsive and responsible government at all levels. The Panhandle needs Larry's intelligent, temperate and experienced vote in Charleston.
Charles A. Aston
Hedgesville,West Virginia


Footnote: Contributions for the re-election of Delegate Kump should be sent to "Friends of Larry D. Kump", P.O. Box 1131, Falling Waters, West Virginia 25419-1131.

The Death Penalty Dilemma

Mike,

   The almost overwhelming grief and anger, directed against those who wantonly abuse and even snuff out  the lives of others, wreaks a terrible toll on all of us. It even is akin to an emotional cancer.

 

 Similar events have happened in my life, inasmuch as I also have lost both family members and others dear to me from vile acts of abuse and murder.

 

 In one case, Jeffrey Wroten was one of those victims. Jeff was a correctional officer coworker at the prison where I previously worked. He was a close friend, a loving Father, and a brother in my faith. His agonizing murder at the hands of a violent criminal in his custody continues to haunt my heart.

 

 Further, as a former prison case manager, part of my duties and responsibilities also was to endure court and open parole hearings, wherein the families of victims testified and were forced therein to re-live the memories of those awful acts.

 

 Even so, my opposition to capital punishment remains and for the reasons outlined in my original email  (see below).

 

 More simply put, supporting the death penalty is a dark place to which I refuse to go.

 

To me, this is  not just a matter of my personal faith. It also is a profound position of my political policy principles.

 

Larry

 

 

Larry
I replied to this email last month when you sent it originally but just discovered that you never received it. I'm trying again. Hope you get it.
Mike H.


Larry
Regarding your three sobering observations;
1. It's hard to restore a murder victims life.
2. We'll never have to worry about our wives/daughters being raped and murdered by Ted Bundy.
3. Looking at the government money spent on programs like planned parenthood that murder more children in a year than we'll execute in a thousand, it's money well spent.

Respectfully,
Mike 

 

 Original email from West Virginia Delegate Larry D. Kump ("More Horrendous than Halloween"):

With Halloween arriving soon, there already are too many scary and dangerous folks on the prowl (not counting a few of our elected and wannabe elected leaders).
A number of these scary and dangerous folks even commit crimes, and end up serving time in prison.
While some sincere folks favor the death penalty for those who are convicted of heinous crimes, the morality of authorizing our government to take the lives of others for criminal convictions simply is a hurdle that just is too high for me and my personal faith.
Moreover, my seventeen year servitude in the bowels of a high security lock-up, working as a prison case manager, taught me three other sobering lessons about the death penalty:
* It does not provide restorative justice.
* It is not a deterrent to the commission of crime by others.
* It costs taxpayers more to execute convicted felons than to imprison them for life. (This may seem counter-intuitive and contrary to conventional wisdom for many, but this is due to the tremendously expensive and lengthy appeal provisions guaranteed by the 8th Amendment of our United States Constitution.)
Nonetheless. it is a sad and sobering fact of life that it is necessary to imprison many convicted criminals, in order to protect public safety on behalf of us and our families.
Further, I also frankly favor the lack of parole eligibility for horrendous offenses.
However, some good people have asked me, "But, what about parole for those who are falsely imprisoned?". The answer to that concern is that: Parole consideration for convicted felons is not about their guilt or innocence. That is determined by the courts. Those who feel that they are wrongly convicted have the right to appeal their sentences in our judicial system.
And so, the bottom line for me on the question of the death penalty is that, giving our government the authority to deprive citizens of our most fundamental right (to be able to breathe in and breathe out), simply scares the screaming bejeebers out of me, much more so than innocent Halloween frighteners.

A Message from Dick & Jane

Dear Mr. Kump,

As voters in your West Virginia House of Delegates legislative district, my wife and I visited your website and began reading it aloud.

We found ourselves nodding our heads after each point, something that is rare in our house regarding politicians.

These are trying times, and our Constitution is "hanging by a thread".

Best wishes in the election - our state and nation need leaders such as you.

We look forward to voting for you and encouraging all of our friends and neighbors to do the same.

Dick and Jane

P.S.: Your website's "Of Mice & Men" entry and video-link gave us a chuckle, but also made us think.

The Power of Persistent Prayer

Dear Barry,
Thank you ever so much. There is tremendous power in heartfelt and persistent prayer, as you already know.
 May God bless all of you and yours real good!
Larry

West Virginia Delegate Larry D. Kump, District #59 (Berkeley-Morgan counties)
www.LarryKump.us & www.LarryKump.com

Barry's Original Letter:


"Dear Delegate Kump,
I just want to thank you for your service to our great State, and let you know that I prayed for you this morning.
Sincerely,
Barry Stone"

Dave's Deposition

The following excerpt of a letter to a local newspaper has been reprinted below, with the permission of the author:

"To the Editor,

...(Delegate) Kump is well-educated, highly experienced and widely respected for his wisdom, fairness and thoughtfulness.

He has over 40 years of prior legislative and public administration skills and experience. These skills and experience include management expertise in managing large budgets and payrolls. This expertise is both on the management and employees' side of the table in multiple jurisdictions throughout our nation. He has drafted and gotten legislation passed into law, often against formidable opposition. He also has experienced both adversity and success in his life. Kump brings to his position an insightful knowledgeable, mature and decisive personality.

He is a strong believer in rock-solid fiscal discipline, enhancing traditional family values, strengthening individual liberty and encouraging personal responsibilities. The citizens of Berkeley and Morgan counties are fortunate to share Kump's services, and the Legislature is especially benefited by his presence.

David Michael Myers"


Footnote: Contributions for Delegate Kump's re-election may be mailed to "Friends of Larry D. Kump", P.O. Box 1131, Falling Waters, West Virginia 25419-1131

The Price is Right

The following is an excerpt from a recent letter to the editor of a local newspaper, shared with the permission of the author:

"Mr. Kump made it clear from the start that he would err on the side of liberty, rule of law and the Constitutions of West Virginia and the United States. As far as I can see, he has lived up to his statements.

Thomas B.B. Price"


Footnote: Contributions for the re-election of Delegate Kump may be sent to "Friends of Larry D. Kump", P.O. Box 1131, Falling Waters, West Virginia 25419-1131.

Hamming It Up with Dr. Seuss

I do not like this President man.

I do not like this health care scam.

I do not like these dirty crooks,

or how they lie and cook the books.

I do not like when Congress steals.

I do not like their secret deals.

I do not like this spending spree.

I do not think this stuff is free.

I do not like their smug replies,

when I complain about their lies.

I do not like this lack of hope.

I do not like it: Nope! Nope! Nope!

I do like "Horton Hears a Who". I do! I do!

Postscriptum: One wise wag once made an observation that also applies to some of our elected leaders and wannabe elected leaders, "If we had some ham, we could have ham and eggs - if we only had some eggs!"

Do your part to make your voice heard. Send your contributions to "Friends of Larry D. Kump", P.O. Box 1131, Falling Waters, WV 25419

Follow-up Request to Criminal Investigation

C. Joan Parker, West Virginia Ethics Commission:
Please advise me if the West Virginia Ethics Commission has jurisdiction over the ongoing findings of the West Virginia Legislative Audit regarding the issue of the shady communications expenditures and process, wherein the West Virginia Senate President and the Speaker of the West Virginia House of Delegates now also have authorized a report on these findings to the federal prosecutor.

If so, I herewith request that the West Virginia Ethics Commission also investigate and take appropriate action on any ethics violations.

Delegate Larry D. Kump

Criminal Investigation Requested

Click on the "blue type" link below to read this Associated Press story about shady dealings in the Mountaineer State:

	W.Va. lawmaker requests review of tower audit Source: register-herald.com A West Virginia lawmaker wants federal, state and local prosecutors to review an audit of a statewide microwave communications network. A legislative

The Wright Stuff!

I want to add my voice to what I expect to become a crescendo of support for Larry Kump's candidacy as Delegate.

I've know Larry for the better part of the last two years through the monthly meetings of the Berkeley County Republican Party, his emails about his stance on issues and comments on my earlier letters to various newspapers and his web page.  (Larry has no peer when it comes to timely communication!).

Without fail, I've know Larry to focus on issues most meaningful to me as a retired and disabled Senior, father and grandfather!  Larry always conducts himself with integrity and humility.

I know some might ask, "Sam, why are you commenting, you're not in Berkeley County anymore."  The answer is simple.  I do this out of concern for the many friends and family I've left behind.  I have two adult children and three grandchildren still living in the Eastern Panhandle.  I can think of no greater champion for friends and family than Larry Kump!

I believe so strongly in Larry's candidacy that I made a contribution to his current campaign as my final act while departing Berkeley County.  Yes, I really do think that much of Larry Kump's candidacy.  As should you!

 Sam Wright

Footnote: Campaign contributions for the re-election of Delegate Kump will be put to prudent use on behalf of good governance. Send them to

Friends of Larry D. Kump
P.O. Box 1131
Falling Waters, West Virginia 25419-1131

From a Concerned Mountaineer Citizen

The following letter to a local newspaper has been edited and reprinted herein, with the permission of the author:

 

Dear Editor,

 

 Delegate Larry D. Kump is probably one of the most, if not most, trustworthy Delegates I have ever come across.

 

 He stands up for his constituents, stands up for our personal liberties and freedoms, stands up for our 2nd Amendment rights, and votes with a clear conscience. 

 

 He is a firm believer in  transparent governmen,t and has an "Open Door" Policy for anyone (from any district) who wishes to discuss legislation in our State House.  I have never known him to turn down any request. 

 

  His voting record is impeccable.

 

 In fact, I don't know anyone who would have a bad word to say about him. 

 

  Right now he is facing a challenger for his seat. 

 

  Delegate Kump, the independent voice of the people, is a Constitutionalist at heart,  and he refuses to bow down to the establishment of any poltical party, although he is willing to make compromising choices if  that is what is best for  good government. 

 

 There are those who fear this independent  "Voice of the People".

 

  Delegate  Kump was first elected to the West Virginia  Legislature in 2010. He currently serves on the House of Delegates'  Constitutional Revision, Government Organization, and  Pensions & Retirement  Committees. He also serves on the Legislature's Select Committee on Minority Issues. He has over forty years of prior legislative and public administration skills and experience. 

 

 He serves to benefit the people and not  his own self-interest or the status quo. 

 

 Without Delegate Kump at the helm of his district,  we all would suffer greatly , and justice would not be served.

 

  Let's continue to support  the "True and Honest" voice of the people.

 

Sincerely,

 Just another concerned Mountaineer citizen.

I-81 Highway News

The Quad-State Conference of State Legislators from neighboring portions of Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia met on Wednesday, September 11th for their annual brainstorming session at the Parlor House restaurant in Waynesboro, Pennsylvania.

Among multiple issues discussed of parallel problems and proposed solutions at the state legislative level, there was major discussion and an action item approved regarding the traffic bottlenecks and public safety problems on Interstate 81.

The conference unanimously endorsed a resolution for the state legislators to jointly petition federal legislators and leadership on behalf of prioritizing federal funding to make improvements in I-81.

Pennsylvania State Senator Richard Alloway was chosen to coordinate these multi-state state legislator efforts.

This Quad State meeting was not conducted at taxpayer expense.

Footnote: Unlike state and county roads, our national Interstate highways are fedrally funded and subject to federal regulation.

FREE ICE CREAM!

The Presidential election was heating up, and  some grade school children were showing an interest.

The teacher decided that having an election for a class president would be a good civics lesson.

The students would choose the nominees.

The nominees would make campaign speeches, and the class then would vote.

There were many nominations. Sam and Sadie were picked as finalists. Both were good kids.

The day arrived for them to make their speeches.

Sam went first. He had specific ideas about how to make the class a better place, and promised to do his very best. Everyone applauded.

Then Sadie spoke. He said, "If you will vote for me, I will give everybody ice cream."

The class went wild, screaming, "Yes! Yes! We want ice cream!".

Sam didn't say anything more. He didn't have to.

A discussion followed. How did she plan to pay for the ice cream? Sadie didn't know.

Would her parents buy it, or would the class pay for it? Sadie didn't know.

The class really didn't care. They just wanted ice cream.

Sam was forgotten.

Sadie won by a landslide.

Sometimes, elections are like that.

So, when we vote, let's  do so on the basis of positive principles and not on puffed-up promises and platitudes.

What about Local Elections?

Click on the link below more of this about that:

Matching city elections with state’s could save money

The changes in municipal elections proposed for consideration by the City Council of West Virginia's State Capitol make so much sense that other Mountaineer municipalities also should consider going and doing likewise.

In point of fact, I previously have been asking voters about this very issue for several years now and am mulling the introduction of legislation to bring about this good effect.

Delegate Larry D. Kump

A Voice for Independence

The complete newspaper article can be viewed at:

http://www.herald-mail.com/opinion/hm-letters-to-the-editor-aug-20-20130819,0,3665390.story

Minority Issues

Click on the link below to view this news article:

http://shar.es/yQGiW

Robinson on Rights

A Letter to the Editor:

 

The election for our delegates and representatives in 2014 is probably the most important election for American and Americans.  Check out the candidates before you vote.

 

Do we want to shut down our coal industry?   Do we want the EPA and Obama mandating such harsh regulations that small businesses have to close down and let go their valued employees? 

 

Do we want government surveillance of and intrusion into our lives? 

 

Do we accept the inexorable and exorbitant taxes (i.e. the new 19.5% water/sewer tax hike)?  

 

Do we want to lose our 2^nd Amendment right to bear arms?   

 

This is why I highly recommend Larry D. Kump for Delegate.  I will be voting for him.  He is a man of his word, a man of honor.  Our issues are his issues.  He submits bills that support us, supports lowering taxes, supports small businesses, and he works to protect our Constitutional rights and liberties.

 

 

Stephanie Robinson

Stark News on Tax Hikes

Click on the link below for this news, and also visit the "Folk Wisdom" and other entries at this website for more of this about that:

http://www.herald-mail.com/opinion/hm-letters-to-the-editor-aug-13-20130812,0,4451817.story

Another Opportunity to Pursue Liberty

West Virginia House of Delegates Speaker Timothy R. Miley has made a surprise appointment of Delegate Larry D. Kump to the Select Committee on Minority Issues.

In accepting this unexpected appointment to the Select Committee on Minority Issues, The Eastern Panhandle Delegate promised Speaker Miley that, "I swear to strive to shield and secure the Constitutional and God given rights and responsibilities of all Mountaineers, without regard to special interest or circumstance."

Kump went on to point out that, "In doing so, I will seek equal opportunity, not equal outcome, for all of us through the passionate pursuit of individual liberty and personal accountability and empowerment."

Cell Phone Cacaphony

I previously voted and spoke against West Virginia's cell phone regulations, and , in addition to other concerns, pointed out that the legislation would not solve the serious problem of distracted drivers. The following report shines even more light on this dimly understood issue:

It's not the device, it's the distraction

New study confirms that hands-free is not risk-free 

Wayne Northey
President, AAA West Virginia

 

Driver distraction is not a recent phenomenon. It's been around since 1903 when an inventor named Mary Anderson created the windshield wiper. Critics feared the rhythmic motion would lull drivers into a trance but by 1913, windshield wipers were standard equipment on most cars.

 

Ten years ago, smart phones were rare; today about 234 million Americans use mobile devices. Now a brave, new world of integrated voice-driven communications is transforming your vehicle into a rolling portal for voice, data and social media. The challenge facing motorists, regulators and automakers, is thinking more intelligently about their benefits and risks.

 

Educating motorists about responsible use will be crucial. Hands-free technologies have been shown to cause dangerous levels of cognitive distraction — even when drivers keep both hands on the wheel and their eyes on the road.

 

A new study commissioned by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that driver reaction time slows as the mental workload and distractions increase. Brain function is compromised and less time is spent scanning the road ahead. As a result, visual cues are missed and drivers may not see objects directly in front of them.

 

University of Utah researcher David Strayer, a nationally recognized expert in cognitive distraction, used cameras, a "detection-response-task" device and an electroencephalographic-configured skull cap to measure brainwaves, and eye movement to examine the mental workload on drivers attempting to multitask. Using established aviation psychology and performance metrics research protocols, drivers engaged in common behind-the-wheel tasks ranging from listening to an audio book or talking on the phone, to listening and responding to voice-activated emails. Voice-to-text devices for example, were found to be a greater driver distraction than talking on a hand held cell phone.

 

His findings support a growing body of evidence that hands-free is not risk free. Increased mental workload and cognitive distractions can lead to a type of tunnel vision or "inattention blindness" where motorists don't see potential hazards directly in their path.

 

Based on this research, which constitutes the most in-depth analysis to date of mental distractions behind the wheel, AAA wants to limit the use of voice-activated technology to core driving-related tasks until their effects are more clearly understood.

 

In April, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), released distraction guidelines encouraging automobile manufacturers to limit the distraction risk connected to integrated, hands-free and voice-driven communications systems.

 

The guidelines establish specific criteria for devices requiring drivers to take their hands off the wheel or eyes off the road. Among their recommendations are limiting the time a driver must take his or her eyes off the road to perform any task to two seconds at a time and twelve seconds total. Functions like text messaging and Internet browsing would be disabled unless the vehicle is stopped and in park.

 

These guidelines are strictly voluntary, but carmakers almost always comply with them because they tend to signal the government's intentions for future rule making.

 

AAA wants lawmakers and industry to strike the right balance between high-tech innovation and public safety. Without a sophisticated understanding of seemingly helpful technological advances, we may find ourselves facing significant public safety issues down the road.

Tax Credits for Emergency Power

The West Virginia Legislative Interim Committee on Government Organization is reviewing the possibility of proposing tax credits for emergency power generation. Click on the link below for a news article about the first committee hearing on this issue:
	Subcommittee looks at availability of emergency power

 

Further Feedback on Highway Taxes

Dear Carol,

 Thanks.

 Although the Commission repeatedly claimed last night that they were not campaigning for more taxes and were open to all ideas, that assertion was questioned by citizens at the meeting.

 The Commission also used a fun and fascinating, yet flawed and faux "focus group" polling of meeting participants, using high tech individual "clickers" and instant power point displays of the results to each question.

 I pointed out, in my testimony, and based of previous years of administrative experience with statistical analysis and polling protocols, that last night's polling was not a scientific sampling of all voters, and that some of the language and scope of the poll questions was troublesome.

 Even so, the meeting participants still did not "buy in" to the idea of more taxes, and expressed a strong desire for much better management of our tax dollars.

 Larry


Dear Larry,

 You make too much sense.

Carol
 (Delegate Carol Miller - Huntington)

Footnote: Please see the news stories and entries posted at this website; "Avoid Rush of Highway Tax Hikes",  "Voters Resist Road Taxes" and "WV Leaders Ponder Tax  Hikes"

Voters Resist Road Taxes

The complete news article can be viewed at:
http://www.herald-mail.com/news/tristate/hm-wva-department-of-transportation-hears-opposition-to-road-taxes-20130711,0,4719445.story

 

Avoid "Rush" for Highway Tax Hikes

	Lawmaker wants to avoid 'rush' to tax for roads

 

WV Leaders Ponder Tax Hikes

West Virginia Delegate Larry D. Kump's testimony at the "Blue Ribbon Commission" public hearing regarding taxation for highways and bridges, held on Thursday, July 11th, 2013, at the Comfort Suites in Kearneysville (unexpectedly moved from theHoliday Inn in Martinsburg):

Here we go again!

After years of legislative trench warfare, and nipping right on the heels of at long last abolishing West Virginia's  cruel and regressive grocery tax, it truly is troubling that one of the first agenda issues of our government leadership is to parade a smorgasbord menu of ways for more taxing and spending, followed by an anticipated special session of the Legislature, to consider putting tax increases into law.

It is true that different states use somewhat different mechanisms to fund roads and bridges. It also is true that West Virginia is among a minority of states that manages both state and county roads and bridges. However, even with Maryland's increase of their gasoline taxes, just days ago, West Virginia still has the region's highest gasoline taxes, bar none.

Another fact is that there is a growing consensus realization that West Virginia is challenged with a need for better maintenance of roads and bridges, as well as for improvements to our transportation network.

In addition to the need for road improvements in just about every local area throughout West Virginia, two  specific examples that immediately come to mind for me is the long delayed completion of "Corridor H", as well as improvements to Route 9 West of Martinsburg. In point of fact, I recently observed one bumper sticker, that proclaimed "I pray every day. I drive Route 9!".

West Virginia's road wish list is a long one.

However, let's not rush to surrender to an anxious clamor for increased taxes and spending, while merely giving lip service to vigorously investigating ways to reform our current practices and procedures.  

All of this reminds me of me and my sister when we were children. Before every Christmas, we eagerly would go through the "Wish Book" (Sears & Roebuck catalog), circling all the toys we wanted for Christmas. Even so, we children were well aware that Mom and Dad couldn't afford to grant all of our childish wishes out of their almost empty pockets.

That also reminds me of a modern fable, illustrative of the perils of large bureaucracies, that was recently told to me by my friend and colleague, Delegate Marty Gearheart of Bluefield, WV.

As the story goes, there were two highway employees working on a median strip. One was digging holes. The other was following him and filling those holes back up. When asked what they were doing, both replied that they were dutifully doing their jobs, but admitted that there used to be three of them. One dug the hole, one planted the tree, and the other filled in the hole around the tree, but the tree planter was assigned to another job and nobody told the other two to do anything differently.

How does all of this apply to all of us  taxpayers here and now?

If we are to maximize the efficient use of our highway tax dollars, now is the time to first consider and do things better, much better.

One good place to start is to ask rank and file highway employees, the ones who know most about field operations, for their analysis and suggestions, and to receive these ideas without filtering this honest feedback through various levels of management. Taxpayers also should be encouraged to chime in with their suggestions. Hopefully, this hearing today will only be the first step in an expanded and much intensified process to do just that.

Another recommendation is to begin a comprehensive and truly independent review of current West Virginia (and even federal) laws, procedures, and staffing by a team of accomplished management analysts. Their assignment should be to come up with a matrix of what is absolutely necessary for reasonably safe highway transportation, as opposed to what would be nice but just too much Champagne for our beer budget.

To do these things only would be prudent and practical, but, in closing, let me mention just three more of a multitude of suggestions that merit serious review.

Our current practice of government mandated and inflated salaries for private contractors' employees costs Mountaineers mountains of wasted tax money, not only for roads and bridges, but also for other public projects, such as libraries and such.

Also, the State of West Virginia is forfeiting a big bundle of revenue from far too many West Virginia residents, who drive vehicles with out of state tags and use out of state drivers' licenses. Not only does the West Virginia Department of Transportation lose lots of revenue from these unpaid tags and licenses under already established law, but our other government agencies also lose loads of personal property tax revenue. Accordingly, it would be helpful if the West Virginia Department of Transportation helped coordinate information about these scofflaws with our local county sheriffs and assessors, for follow-up action by them. For those who doubt that this is a problem in our area, I invite you to just stop by one of our local elementary schools  during school days and count the out of state license tags of parents dropping off and picking up their kids from school.

Finally, with the boom of Marcellus shale and oil revenue in West Virginia, let's consider dedicating a fixed percentage of that new state income to our roads and bridges, and, although ithis does not relate to our roads and bridges, let's also investigate the Alaska example of returning a fixed percentage of this income directly to taxpayers.

You know, I've never much liked  that West Virgina slogan of "Open for Business". To me, it sent the message, "Open for Business...as Usual".

West Virginia's many years of doing business as usual in regard to our system of taxes and regulation is what puts us in competition with Mississippi for the dubious distiction of  the State with the poorest people in the nation.

We deserve better, much better.

Chuck Chimes In

Dear Larry,

Thanks for devoting so much of your time and energy to preserving what so many gave their lives for.

I'll be pleased to vote for you again!

Chuck Aston

Byrd Whisperings

Dear Delegate Kump,

Ah, well, I hope and pray that you decide to be a candidate for re-election in 2014 to the West Virginia House of Delegates.

I also hope that my experiences with other legislators are as informative (really hard to come by) and communicative (even harder) as mine have been with you.

It gives me warm fuzzies knowing for sure that at least one of my representatives actually is listening.

If I had a say-so, I'd keep you around just for that.

...
Ed Byrd

Electrifying News...

I have filed a class action "complaint" yesterday (Friday, June 7th, 2013) with the West Virginia Public Service Commission (PSC).

It is a duplication of my original May 23rd suggestion to First Energy (parent company of Potomac Edison and Monogahela Power), also posted  on this website, ("Inquiry to the Power Company" entry of May 23rd, 3013).


Delegate Larry D. Kump
 

Investigation of Power Companies

In recent correspondence to me, West Virginia Public Service Commission (PSC) General Counsel Richard E. Hitt ,advised me that the PSC is continuing to "aggressively process individual formal and formal complaints. He also explained that "we have determined that a general investigation should be initiated into the practices and procedures of both Potomac Edison Company and Monongahela Power Company as it relates to meter reading, billing and practices involving estimated bills" and that this investigation "will also allow the Commission Staff, as well as other parties, to investigate and analyze these practices and make recommendations on future improvements".

For more information on how to file a complaint with the West Virginia Public Service Commision, telephone 1-800-642-8544.

Delegate Larry D. Kump

Inquiry to the Power Company

Dear First Energy/Potomac Edison:

Having intently monitored the public pandemonium regarding the recent residential electricity billing snafu, but also wanting to avoid meaningless political posturing, there nevertheless are two issues of concern to me regarding this dilemma on which your feedback would be appreciated.

First, while I believe I have a basic understanding of some of the problems that have been inherent in billing cycles and the lack of physical meter readings, could you please advise me of the underlying cause as to why so many have reported estimated billings of such egregiously elevated amounts? It simply seems to me, as a non-expert in this field, that there has yet been put forth an easily understandable cause by First Energy/Potomac Edison as to why some of these estimated billings have been elevated much more than a prudent person can fathom. Can you shed further light on this conundrum?

Secondly and in regard to the actual reading of the meters, would it be prudent and possible for both your company and the consumers to initiate a more expanded voluntary consumer meter reading program, wherein consumers could  be given more encouragement, regularly could self-report their meter readings, and perhaps even be given a discounted electric rate for their participation?


Delegate Larry D. Kump
West Virginia House of Delegates District #59
Berkeley-Morgan Counties (Eastern Panhandle)


Footnote: Although there currently is a place on electric bills wherein customers are instructed how to make their own meter readings, there is no financial incentive for them to do so.

Contractors Commend Kump

May 8, 2013

Dear Delegate Kump,

On behalf of the Contractors Association of West Virginia, I want to commend you for your work in this year's legislative session.

We especially appreciate your willingness to give me and our members the opportunity to share our thoughts and concerns on legislation affecting the construction industry in West Virginia.

You can be proud of the investment you have made to provide a brighter future for West Virginia.

Again, thank you for your efforts...

Sincerely,
Mike
(Michael L. Clowser)
Executive Director
Contractors Association of West Virginia (CAWV)

 

More 2013 Session Afterthoughts

Despite the attempts by some partisans to gin up lots of hoopla about the recently concluded legislative session(s), major issues affecting the prosperity of all of us in the Mountain State sadly were allowed to lie unaddressed on the legislative table.

Even with a reconvened "special" session of the Legislature by the Governor, he mandated that the business of that session be restricted to just a scant handful of non-emergency and narrowly focused proposals, that previously failed to pass the just adjourned regular legislative session.

The prison legislation was helpful in that it expanded the drug courts, but it also failed to address the major issues of sentencing and prison overcrowding that gives West Virginia the highest rate of incarceration in the country.

The education legislation included some good stuff, but mostly nibbled around the edges of our ongoing education crisis and did not take much of a bite out of our problem of too much bureaucratic control over our local schools by the State Department of Education. It simply did not empower local school boards and parents to be more engaged on behalf of our children.

Municipal Home Rule legislation was a step forward, and it also included some important protections of our Constitutional 2nd Amendment rights. A further step forward would be to further encourage voter participation, by requiring municipal elections to be held at the same time as state and federal elections. This also would save tax dollars.

However, little progress was made in improving our judicial process and reforming our state government taxing and regulation.

We should and must stem the flight of West Virginians to other areas, as they desperately search for good jobs and prosperity for themselves and their families.

Here We Go Again

Again, I'm here at the West Virginia State House, in yet another taxpayer funded special legislative session, called by the Governor to revisit a handful of non-emergency issues that simply failed to win passage during our just concluded regular legislative session.

Meanwhile, major economic issues, affecting the prosperity of all of us here in the Mountain State, continue to lie on the legislative table and remain unaddressed.

For more of this about that, read the other entries at this website.

Pondering the Possibility of a Special Session

If a special  West Virginia legislative session is called, I'm struggling between the duty to participate that stems from my oath of office and a strong personal aversion to  participating in a reconvened  session, merely to revisit issues which  simply failed  to win passage during  our just concluded legislative session.

2013 Legislative Session Afterthoughts

The 2013 Regular Session of the West Virginia Legislature ended a few minutes past Midnight on Saturday night, and the Session on the Governor's state budget proposal is scheduled to be completed this week.

To that end, it's important to note that the ability of our state government to make ends meet will be affected more and more by what is going on in Washington, D.C..

While many Mountaineer citizens are unhappy with some forced cutbacks in services and frustrated with the lack of new and expanded programs, we also must be prepared to deal with what some are calling "the most predictable economic crisis in our history".

According to our "numbers crunchers" down here in the State Capitol, approximately four billion out of the eleven billion dollars in our state budget now is dependent on federal funding (over 36%).

However, the most recent report of the Government Accountability Office and the Comptroller General of the United States warns us that, "...comprehensive long-term fiscal projections show that- absent policy changes - the federal government continues to face an unsustainable fiscal path.".

What that means is, when necessary and painful budget changes inevitably are made in our federal government spending and programming, that also will mean that the already diminishing federal funding available to us here in West Virginia also will continue to decline, and not just by small amounts.

During this session of the West Virginia Legislature, we had to make some cuts in order to meet West Virginia state government's growing financial challenge, but that only took care of this year's coming budget.

What about the following years?

Just as we citizens have to prudently manage our personal family incomes, we also have an obligation to make sure that elected officials are wise stewards on behalf of all of us taxpayers and our families.

During this legislative session, I ruefully saw numerous groups and organizations persistently plead (and sometimes demand) more programs and services. Some even unabashedly asked for tax increases on all of us. Many, if not most, of them paint heart-rending scenarios if their proposals are un or under funded.

Obviously, a Mom and Dad should not gather together their children, announce to them that their family income has decreased, and tell them that, "We're going to have to let one of you go!".

And, so it also should not be with the State of West Virginia and our families.

Now is the time to hold all elected officials accountable for our stewardship, and not send us further down the road to higher taxes and more initiative destroying entitlement programs.

Instead, let's work together to liberate our Mountaineer economy and families.

We can and must do this.

For more information about what has happened in the West Virginia Legislature this year, visit www.legis.state.wv.us, and also check out the other entries at this website for my legislative commentaries.

Best in the House!

Delegate Larry  D. Kump,

 I am once again granting you the coveted "West Virginia Delegate of the Year" award.

 Your steadfast and unwavering dedication to the principles of true limited government conservatism has earned much praise and support.

 Due to my own principles of not rewarding politicians with any type of recognition or praise, this is the most esteemed honor any member of the West Virginia Legislature ever could receive.

 You continue to make me proud that our state government has at least one person with the courage and wisdom to speak on behalf of the liberty of the common man, even when it's unpopular.

Congratulations Delegate Kump!

Your unwavering principles have not gone unnoticed.

Micah Phelps