Health Freedom endorses Kump!

"Mr. Kump distinguished himself in past legislative sessions by supporting the rights of West Virginians to make health care decisions for themselves...Mr. Kump supports patient rights to self-determination..."
- Dr. Holly Garrison, Health Freedom PAC of West Virginia

Visit Larry D. Kump's Facebook posts (www.LarryKump.com) and also www.LarryKump.us for his views on numerous other good governance issues..

Bankers back Kump!

The political action committee of the West Virginia Bankers Association endorses and supports Larry D. Kump's election to the West Virginia House of Delegates District #59 (Berkeley-Morgan counties).

The :West Virginia Bankers Association supports and endorses Larry D. Kump;s "desire to develop and implement sound public policy aimed at strengthening the financial services marketplace, preserving important protections for consumers and growing our economy." 
For more about Larry D. Kump's views on the issues, visit his  Facebook page posts @ www.LarryKump.com, as well as @ www.LarryKump.us.🤔
Please share this message with others, also asking them to go and do likewise. 🤗
May God bless you all real good!

And now, the Voice of Reason:

There has been some confusion and misrepresentation of the facts, which continues today, especially in some partisan quarters.
And now, the voice of reason:
The year was 2011.
The Republicans were a minority in both the West Virginia House of Delegates and the West Virginia State Senate. The Governor was a Democrat.
West Virginia was at the bottom ranking of economic prosperity in the nation, and, even worse, the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia was being short-changed and neglected by the Governor and the Legislature.
Freshman Republican Delegate Larry D. Kump saw all of this, and he decided to draw attention to this disdain toward the Eastern Panhandle.
That's why he introduced HB 2698, which was done at little or no expense to taxpayers.
If enacted into law (it wasn't), HB 2698 would have drawn further attention to the plight of West Virginia's Eastern Panhandle, by providing for an advisory referendum at the next regularly scheduled election for voters in the Eastern Panhandle (Berkeley, Morgan, & Jefferson counties).
If enacted into law, this advisory referendum would allow Eastern Panhandle voters to express their opinion to the Legislature on whether or not to remain in West Virginia or to ask the Legislature to allow them to become part of Virginia.
Although this proposal was not enacted into law, nor did it get a committee hearing, it did get the immediate attention of the media. Much discussion thereafter ensued about the ongoing circumstances of the Eastern Panhandle, albeit also with notable confusion about the actual provisions and intent of HB 2698.
Since then, the Eastern Panhandle has continued to grow. The Republican Party has increased its representation in the Eastern Panhandle, and the Republican Party now is the majority party in both the West Virginia House of Delegates and the West Virginia State Senate. The Governor also now is a Republican.
Further, Republicans from the Eastern Panhandle now are strongly represented among West Virginia's elected officials.
West Virginia still has many challenges, but we now are moving forward and getting better, with the Eastern Panhandle providing a great degree of this leadership.
Larry D. Kump's concern about the well-being of the Eastern Panhandle has been vindicated, and he now is moving forward to do more on behalf of the Eastern Panhandle and all Mountaineers.

Support and vote for Larry D. Kump for the West Virginia House of Delegates District #59 (Berkeley-Morgan counties).

Send your election campaign contributions to

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

Please share this message with others, and may God bless you all real good!

NRA endorses Kump!

The National Rifle Association (NRA) has endorsed the election of Larry D. Kump to the West Virginia House of Delegates District #59 (Morgan-Berkeley counties).

This NRA election endorsement was based on Larry's previous citizen legislator voting record in the West Virginia House of Delegates (2010-2014) and his ongoing support of our 2nd Amendment rights, as outlined in our United States and West Virginia constitutions.

Send your campaign contributions on behalf of Larry D. Kump to:

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

May God bless you all real good!

Pro- Life groups endorse Kump

I am honored to have the endorsement of the West Virginia Christian Conservatives.

Here is their endorsement:

"As the Election nears, we will noting which candidates for State Office support Life at Conception.

Larry D. Kump (R-59) is running for the House of Delegates in the Berkeley - Morgan County area and has long been a supporter of Pro-Life legislation.

If you support the Right to Life, please support Larry D.Kump."

West Virginians for Life  also have endorsed the election of Larry D. Kump.

May God bless you all real good!

WV Citizens Defense League endorses Kump!

As previously announced and also included on my campaign brochure, I also am pleased and proud to also have the endorsement of the West Virginia Citizens Defense League for my election to the West Virginia House of Delegates District #59 (Berkeley-Morgan counties). 🤗

My stalwart support of our 2nd Amendment and all other Constitutional rights and responsibilities will never waver.

That's for sure and for certain.

Please contact Patty "Patch" Adams, to volunteer to help of my election campaign, or even just to request a "Kump!" sign for your yard.

Moreover, please send your campaign contributions, whether modest or magnanimous, to:

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

May God bless you all real good!

"Boots" endorses Kump!

Boots of Recovery, a non-partisan and independent political action group, has endorsed the election of Larry D. Kump in the West Virginia House of Delegates District #59 (Berkeley-Morgan counties). 🤗

"Boots" has given Larry D. Kump an "A" rating, and commends his depth and openness on the sensitive issues of overdose recovery and suicide prevention, especially among the police and military, 😮

Contributions to the election campaign of Larry D. Kump., whether modest or magnanimous, should be sent to:

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

May God bless you all real good!

West Virginia Car endorses Kump!

The West Virginia Automotive & Truck Dealers Association has endorsed the election of Larry D. Kump to the West Virginia House of Delegates District #59 (Berkeley-Morgan counties).

They applaud Larry D. Kump's past and future efforts toward improving West Virginia's economic and jobs climate.

Join the West Virginia League of Extraordinary Citizens, by placing a "Kump!" sign in your yard.🤗

Also, send your election contributions, whether modest or magnanimous, to:

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

May God bless you all real good!

Seeking more governance accountability and transparency

West Virginia State Auditor J.B. McCuskey and Delegate Larry D. Kump, District #59 (Berkeley-Morgan counties) at a  Berkeley County Council meeting.

J.B. and Larry were discussing increasing the transparency of county and town governments, as well as streamlining and cost effective audit requirement improvements.🤔

Larry strongly supports J.B.'s efforts on these issues.🤗

For more about good governance issues, visit  www.LarryKump.com & www.LarryKump.us.

Meanwhile, and for sure and for certain, may God bless you all real good!

A Marvelous Work & a Wonder!

,

The Old Testament of the King James Bible, Book of Isaiah, Chapter 29, Verse 14 ("...a marvelous work and a wonder...") aptly described the glorious day when Cheryl Lynn Hess became my wife and partner (Saturday, August 11th, 2018).

My tongue cannot begin to tell how much she has blessed me and has continued to bless me since then.

For sure and for certain, God has blessed me real good!

-West Virginia Delegate Larry D. Kump, District #59 (Berkeley-Morgan counties)

Visit www.LarryKump.us & www.LarryKump.com for more about my thoughts on the issues of the day.

Local Lady Leader Likes Larry!

I have known Larry D. Kump for four years, and in those four years, I have known Larry to be truthfully honest and a conservative who cares for the citizens of West Virginia. I believe Larry will serve his district as delegate to West Virginia with the wishes of conservative voters to lead this state with good upstanding values. Larry is running for the House of Delegates in the Republican May 8 Primary Election, District #59, Morgan-Berkeley Counties.

Visit www.LarryKump.us and www.LarryKump.com for more information about Larry.

Larry served two terms as delegate from 2010 – 2014. His desire to re-enter public service comes from the voters who know him, and after lots of praying, has decided to run again. Larry has always stood up and spoken out on behalf of less intrusive government, and his stand is no different than before.

Larry doesn’t go along with what makes him popular with those who want him to just go along with it. He doesn’t stand up and look around at what the crowd is doing and then sit down. He doesn’t mimic what the crowd is doing. He stands up for We the People, the good-upstanding citizens of this state and what they want – by his actions. He stands up for what he believes in – our Constitution.

Larry is a true Constitutionalist who believes in the articles of the State and Federal Constitutions who stands and salutes our flag.

As a Christian, Larry believes in the gift of life, being endorsed by West Virginians for Life. The West Virginia Farm Bureau Political Action Committee has endorsed Larry in the West Virginia House of Delegates Republican in the Primary Election. He believes in God, family and country. He believes we should support our unborn, our military, our right to bear arms (our First and Second Amendments).

Larry wants to keep spending down in Charleston and not increase our taxes, and he does not believe in big government. Larry will ask accountability for our schools, better treatment of our teachers and state employees and safeguard our pro-life family values.

He is aware of the opioid epidemic and proposes mandatory drug abuse testing for all state legislators, and reforming ill-advised laws, making it too difficult for the repentant and redeemed to re-enter the workplace, to become self-sufficient and tax-paying members of our communities. Larry wants to improve our highways, reduce gasoline prices, have better broadband and cell phone access, and eliminate state taxes on our social security benefits pensions.

Larry believes the persistent problem of West Virginia's aging and declining population adversely affects all of us, even including our representation in the U.S. Congress. In reviewing our state government policies and tax structure, a serious study of how to reverse this decline also should be undertaken, and he has been working on some ideas to turn around this problem.

Contact Larry at (304) 274-3104 or email him at kumpster@mailstation.com. It’s like talking with your best friend.

Vote for LKWV – Larry Kump West Virginia.

Sincerely,

Betty DeHaven
Martinsburg, WV

Footnote: Send your campaign contributions, whether modest or magnanimous to -

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

Also, please share this message with others, asking them to go and do likewise with even more others.

And may God bless you all real good!

Farm Bureau endorses Kump!

The West Virginia Farm Bureau Political Action Committee has endorsed Larry D. Kump in the West Virginia House of Delegates Republican May 8th Primary Election, District #59, Morgan-Berkeley Counties.

For more information about this endorsement, contact West Virginia Farm Bureau President Charles Wilfong or Secretary-Treasurer Stephen Butler @ (304) 472-2080.

Visit www.LarryKump.us and www.LarryKump.com for more about Larry D. Kump.

Please share this message with others, also asking them to go and do likewise with even more others.

Also, please send your election contributions, whether modest or magnanimous, to:

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

And may God bless you all real good!

West Virginians for Life endorse Larry D. Kump!

The West Virginians for Life Political Action Committee (WVL-PAC) has endorsed the election of Larry D. Kump to the West Virginia House of Delegates (Berkeley-Morgan Counties) in the Republican May 8th Primary.

According to Dr. Wanda Franz, President of WVL-PAC, West Virginians for Life "commend Larry D. Kump for his commitment to the pro-life cause, especially to the unborn, the elderly and those with disabilities."

WVL-PAC is the internal political action committee for West Virginians for Life (WVFL), the state pro-life organization. WVFL is affiliated with the National Right to Life Committee and through education, legislation and political action is working to build a society where all human life is respected, from conception until natural death.

For further information about WVFL and their endorsement of the election of Larry D. Kump to the West Virginia State Legislature, contact Mary Anne Buchanan, WVFL Communications Director, @ (304) 594-9845.

Contributions to the election campaign of Larry D. Kump should be mailed to:

Friends of Larry D. Kump

P. O. Box 1131

Falling Waters, West Virginia 25419-1131

More information of Larry's views is available at this website and also at www.LarryKump.us.

Please also share this post with others, asking them to also do the same with even more others.

And May God bless you all real good!

I will never compromise on the 2nd Amendment!

Vote Kump on May 8th!

Even better, also send your campaign contributions to:

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

Finally, please share this post with all of your friends and family, asking them to go and do likewise with still others.

And may God bless you real good!

No to Taxes!

Our Founding Fathers never intended that you would pay more to government than you do for housing, clothing and food combined.

I am proud of my record of never voting for any new or increased taxes, and I pledge to you I never will.

Vote Kump on May 8th!

Better yet, also send your campaign contributions to:

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

Please share this post with others, and may God bless you all real good!

Who supports life for the innocent and unborn?

I always have and always will be proud to stand up and protect the innocent and vulnerable unborn!

As the Primary Election nears on May 8th, which candidates supports life?

Larry D. Kump (R-59) is running for the House of Delegates in the Berkeley-Morgan County area. He has long been a supporter of Pro-Life legislation.

If you support the right to Life, please vote for and support Larry D. Kump!

Send your campaign contributions to:

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

Finally, please share this post with others, asking them to go and do likewise with still more others!

And may God bless you all real good!

Greg on Good Governance!

"I have known Larry for well over a decade now and have a great respect for him and for his ideas, his patience, his lack of finger-pointing, and his willingness to get off his backside and do something!
Thank you for running again, Larry!
Greg Jones"

Contributions for Larry D. Kump's campaign for election to the West Virginia Legislature should be sent to:

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

For more of this about that, visit www.LarryKump.com and the other posts at this website.

Please share this post with others, and may God bless you all real good!

Did you know & will you help?

According to statistics published by the Frasier Institute (Economic Freedom in North America 2017, see map above), West Virginia (as well as New York and California) ranks among the least free in economic freedom and opportunity.

Even worse, West Virginia now ranks as the lowest of all states in the percentage of our population who actually are part of the work force.

Also, the ongoing exodus of West Virginia's best and brightest has led to our declining and aging population.

Do you share my concerns about the need for more individual liberty, personal accountability, and personal empowerment in West Virginia?

If so, please share this message with others, and also send a contribution to my campaign for election to the West Virginia State Legislature to:

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

For more of this about that, visit my other posts at this website and also www.LarryKump.com.

And may God bless you all real good!

Reenforcement from Russ

I have known Larry D. Kump for close to 30 years and have never known him to be anything but upright, honest, full of integrity, loyal, moral, and compassionate.

Even in times of trial on a personal front, Larry never complained or felt sorry for himself. Instead, he went out of his way to make sure the needs and feelings of others were taken care of.

Spend an hour with him and you will walk away feeling like you have known him your entire life.

His dedication to his profession, his fellow co-workers and friends is just the qualities I look for in a leader. He will not bow down to outside pressure when he believes in something. He will fight to the finish to ensure fairness and equity for everyone is accomplished.

Russ Hess

Footnote: Campaign contributions to "Friends of Larry D. Kump" (P.O. Box 1131, Falling Waters, WV 25419) will be put to prudent use in support of good governance.

Singhas Sings Out

The following letter to the editor was published in the Martinsburg Journal newspaper on Saturday, January 4th, 2014:

Not long ago, I couldn't get enough of politics. I loved the idea of our system of government. I tried to get people engaged in the issues. I was so proud of the idea that in this country, everyone had the right to be involved with the election of our local, as well as our national, leadership.

I hate to admit it, but for a while, I all but checked-out. The idea that someone like Barack Obama with a world view so much different than what I thought was most Americans, and a campaign promise to "fundamentally change" our country to reflect that view, that he could be elected to the highest office in land not only once, but twice, was beyond comprehension to me. After he was elected to a second term, I truly felt there was little hope for this nation going forward. Not because of him, but because the people of this nation would elect him.

But there is hope, one hope. But only if we replace career politicians that have a record of pandering to special interests. Those who pick out certain groups and say anything that will get them excited enough to win their vote. Those that would censor (or try to) any opposing, or objective views of their record or their true character. Those who disregard our Constitution as if they have a better idea. Those who are so politically motivated that votes are more important than the general health of our country. We need to know who these politicians are. We need to know their record, who their friends are and where there heart is.

I've known Delegate Larry Kump for close to 20 years and I can attest that this is a man with absolute integrity. An independent thinker. A man who loves people, the Lord, this state and this country. He is a man of action, who has the courage to stand on his convictions and a record to back it up.

Someone once said "all politics is local." If that's the case, then I hope we will start cleaning up the mess we have by recognizing local leaders like Delegate Larry Kump for the honorable service he's given the 59th District and the State of West Virginia. With people like Larry Kump representing West Virginians, we can rest assured we have someone fighting for our Constitutional rights.

With primary elections coming up this coming May, It's so important for thinking people to stand behind elected leaders with a proven record of personal and constitutional integrity. When you know someone you can count on to do the right thing, you stand behind them. The people of the 59th district need to re-elect Delegate Larry Kump, a man with a record of fighting for the rights of all West Virginians.

Ed Singhas
Martinsburg, West Virginia

Update: Please Read & Respond to this Post's Postscript via Facebook!

Regardless of the merits of the recently approved West Virginia Constitutional Amendment, wherein Mountaineer voters approved the borrowing of $1.6 billion for our road system, there was a deep and disturbing dynamic that also was manifest in that election.

 Alas, voter turnout (about 10% of registered voters, and less than 2% in some areas) was even worse than my previous pessimistic prediction (Please see my September 20th facebook post).

 Was this lack of voter interest and participation yet another indicator of an ongoing and growing lack of voter confidence in and even dismay with the elected leadership of both major political parties?

 Were the upstart 2016 presidential campaigns of Donald J. Trump and Bernard Sanders early barometers of a swirling and spreading storm of citizen calumny about this leadership?

 Are the majority of our citizens not only voting with their feet and walking away from our political leaders, but also now disdaining and disregarding our representative form of governance?

 Where were you on election day?

 I don't know.

 I'm just askin'.

Postscript: Visit www.facebook.com/LarryDKump and chime in on my October 22nd, 2017 reposting of my letter to the editor of "The Journal" daily newspaper, with your response to my question regarding the timing of West Virginia's "special elections". My inquiring mind needs to know!

Editorial note: Please see my other posts about good governance issues on this website and also on Facebook (www/facebook/com/LarryDKump). Please share this message with others, asking them to go and do likewise with still more others!

Support & Prayers from Tim

The previously received (in 2014) and following email message has been reposted with the permission of the author:

" Delegate Kump,
I have looked forward to the information you put out to the people you represent.
I have looked forward to the correspondence, back and forth, with you.
I have come to know you on simple terms as down-to-earth, straight forward, and sincere towards the area and people you represent.
All of these are very rare qualities for someone in your position, by far.
In today's society, it is almost unheard of for anyone to care at all about much.
For one person to care so much, about so many, is more than commendable.
I only hope the residents for whom you worked so hard for are lucky enough to have another representative of your caliber.
You will be missed!!! Greatly!!!
Please don't quit writing.
The information you share with me and the friends I talk with are of great importance to all of us.
It would be a shame not to have your wisdom and experience anymore.
As retired law enforcement, we have had to deal with so much loss throughout our lives. Constants are few and far between.
Like the North star, you are a constant to me and the few friends still left around.
Always, always be safe in future journeys and please don't ever stop your communications.
Support and Prayers Always,
Tim"

Footnote: Please visit www.facebook.com/LarryDKump for more about good governance issues! Also, please share this post with others, asking them to go and do likewise.

Postcriptum: Contributions to my election campaign should be sent to:

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

More unsolicited "hands-on" support

"Larry,

There is only a handful of people, both current and past, who have truly "served" as honorable employees of the people of our State and not simply marched to the tune of the "exploiters".

You sir, know who those people are, and I count you among them.

I hope to soon see you in the ranks of "current" again.

Thanks for your service.

Ray Glover"

Footnote:
Please share this message with others, asking them to also go and do likewise!
Then, visit www.facebook.com/LarryDKump for more about good governance issues.

Hedgesville Mayor Endorses Kump

Wow!
The leadership and people of Hedgesville are dear to me.
Accordingly, Hedgesville Mayor Mary Keller-Pile's personal paean of September 7th on my behalf (www.facebook.com/mkellerpile) deeply touched my heart:

"Larry D. Kump has decided to run for WV House of delegates 2018. Formerly a two term WV delegate #59.

You can read his biography at www.LarryKump.us. (@ This website)

Contributions can be made:

"Friends of Larry D. Kump
P.O. Box 1131
Falling Waters WV 25419

I wish him luck, for he will do great things for WV! "

Footnote: The photo in this post is of Hedgesvile's historic Mt. Clifton hotel (no longer in existence).

Addendum: Please share this message, inviting your friends and associates to visit my facebook posts (www.facebook.com/LarryDKump, asking them to also go and do likewise with even more others!

Previous Forum Feedback from a Friend

Larry,

I am so proud of you; I could just bust a button.

I was telling some of my co-workers how you are just a breath of fresh air!

You are definitely not the typical politician. Please consider this is an extremely high compliment!

But also know that I appreciate those who sacrifice and serve, because I know it is not an easy job.

First, your intro of the 3 B's was perfect--Be Sincere, Be Short, Be Seated--that got everyone's attention.

But then, when you said "Thank God for Mississippi!" (referring to the only State who's worse off than West Virginia), I nearly fell off my chair!

You spoke the truth!

Why don't some of these career politicians get it?

Why aren't they listening?

We do have many problems to resolve.

We need more sensible and honest people like you in office!

Your life-long friend!

Dorothy

Postscriptum: Visit www.facebook.com/LarryDKump for more about good governance issues for West Virginia, and share this post with others, asking them to also go and do likewise!

A Trifecta & a "Breath of Fresh Air" for WV!

A Trifecta of three big accomplishments and a "Breath of Fresh Air" stand out to me from the recently completed 2017 West Virginia 2017 Legislative Session.

Our State Budget, Broadband Internet Expansion, and Medical Marijuana were the three "Trifecta" issues.

 The Legislature surprised many by holding resolutely firm and refusing to raise taxes on already suffering Mountaineers. However, opportunities to truly uplift our economy and our lives, through meaningful reform of our tax structure, foundered and failed. Also, Governor Justice vetoed the Legislature's proposed budget. Even so, the West Virginia tax reform movement has gained credibility and momentum. Look for more to come in future legislative sessions. Moreover, the Legislature did give approval, to conduct a statewide voter referendum to authorize the sale of 1.6 billion dollars of highway construction bonds, to be used to repair and upgrade our crumbling road system.

 Delegate Roger Hanshaw (R-Clay County) tenaciously won approval of HB 3093, to allow and encourage  broadband internet expansion in West Virginia. It removes broadband internet expansion obstacles, but, best of all, this important legislative accomplishment was finely crafted by his legal team, without any expense to taxpayers. Wow!

 When the approval of the compassionate use of marijuana for medical treatment hit a roadblock in the West Virginia House of Delegates, Delegate Mike Folk (R-Berkeley County) bravely stood up on behalf of voters and forced a vote in favor of further legislative consideration. Realizing the public outcry and need for this medical treatment, Speaker of the House of Delegates Tim Armstead (R-Kanawha County) and Judiciary Committee Chairperson John Shott (R-Mercer County), assisted by a superb legal staff, went to work and crafted further amendments. The result was to allow doctors, under strict supervision, to prescribe medical marijuana. These restrictions would not allow medical marijuana medication to be smoked or otherwise used for recreation. The final legislation builds upon medical standards and procedures already successfully used by other States.

 Finally, my nomination for the "Breath of Fresh Air" West Virginia award was introduced by Delegate Ron Walters (R-Kanawha County). His HB 3008 would be a bold step in reforming our top heavy and cumbersome school system. It would reduce government spending and bureaucratic waste, while also protecting and preserving local citizen and parent oversight of our schools. Delegate Walters' proposal did not get a legislative committee hearing, but it deserves further review and consideration in future legislative sessions. (See more details in the 15 March 2017 "A Breath of Fresh Air" post at this website.)

Yours for better governance,

Larry D. Kump,

Former West Virginia Legislator (2010-2014)

Berkeley County, West Virginia

Please share this information with others, and ask them to go and do likewise!

About Bloated & Bumbling Bureaucracy, Tax Reform, and the Price of Gasoline

Attorney and public policy proposer Mike Caryl is, for sure and for certain, right on target with his observation that the elimination of West Virginia government's unnecessary programs and bloated management could and should eliminate our current state budget deficit crisis.

Indeed, citizen legislators such as West Virginia Delegates Mike Folk, S. Marshall Wilson, Pat McGeehan, and Tony Paynter have accepted a similar challenge from the Governor. They have drafted specific "line item" amendments to the Governor's proposed budget, in order to accomplish a balanced budget that doesn't include tax increases.

Mr. Caryl's also correct in pointing out that the structural economic imbalance and inefficiency in West Virginia's current and convoluted tax policies truly impede our present and future prosperity, as well as being a major contributor to our deepening economic despair. These skewed public policies even encourage our steady loss of native population and talent, as our best and our brightest "vote with their feet".

That's why the encouragement by him and numerous legislators, to increase and broaden our sales tax, as a mechanism to eliminate our personal income tax and other burdensome tax inequities, should be given serious but also careful consideration. Even so, perhaps it is Mike's personal comment to me, about "those of us who can easily afford to pay" a proposed return to a sales tax on groceries, that sticks so stubbornly in my craw.

The working poor and fixed income retirees are, in fact, not among " those of us who can easily afford to pay" such a grocery tax.

In point of fact, it is my view that legislators and public policy makers need to have a much deeper personal understanding and appreciation of what a desperate struggle it is for many of the working poor and retirees to put food on their families' tables. That angst and heartache is not suffered by "those of us who can easily afford to pay" a grocery sales tax, nor is it or will it be suffered by those on the government dole for "Food Stamps".

Finally, Senate and House of Delegates Transportation Committee Chairmen, Senator Greg Boso and Delegate Marty Gearheart, mirror my thoughts, in their opposition to the Governor's rapaciously regressive and grievously goofy gasoline tax increase proposal.

Yours for better governance,

Larry D. Kump

www.facebook.com/LarryDKump

Please share this post with others, and ask them to go and do likewise!

A "Breath of Fresh Air" letter to WV Delegate Ron Walters...

A "Breath of Fresh Air" letter to WV Delegate Ron Walters!

The Monday, March 27th front page news story in "The Journal" daily newspaper ("Bill would redraw map of school districts", www.journal-news.net), by Danyel Vanreenen, underscored my previous March 16th "Breath of Fresh Air" letter (below) to West Virginia Delegate Ron Walters (R - Kanawha County). This is an important West Virginia education reform proposal, which should lay the basis for further serious study and eventual improvement of not only our top-heavy Mountaineer educational system but also our struggling economy.

Ron,

Your recently introduced legislative proposal (HB 3008) truly is empowering for all of us Mountaineers and our children.

It would consolidate and streamline burdensome education bureaucracies, while maintaining our local oversight of our school systems.

It's also a bold step in reducing government spending and bureaucratic waste.

Finally, it could and should be an important piece to solving the puzzle of how to improve the prosperity of all West Virginians, so much so that it inspired my following ditty of praise of you and your proposal:

Hubba Hubba!

Zing Zing!

This will fix our schools,

and make us sing!

Indeed, your proposal is a breath of fresh air for our schools and all of us.

Go get 'em!

Yours for better governance,

Larry D. Kump

Footnote: Some folks have confused and conflated this legislation with the "Common Core" issue. While I also am opposed to Common Core mandates, Delegate Ron Walters' proposal (bill) is not about Common Core. It is about structurally streamlining and improving our West Virginia educational system.

Visit www.facebook.com/LarryDKump!

Musings about our Elected Leaders

This is a revision of a previous posting of mine, originally made several years ago, as I was sitting in my State Capitol office and serving as a citizen member of the West Virginia State Legislature.

As the 2017 session of the West Virginia Legislature now enters into the intensity of the final weeks of the session and is dealing with the need for many urgent and needed reforms, some legislator behaviors have remained unchanged.

There still is great propensity for our elected legislators to spend much of their time on the floor of the House of Delegates and State Senate, sponsoring irrelevant resolutions and making silly speeches. This includes dedicating bridges, roads, and even turn lanes to constituents back home, and also to making a great show of introducing various guests.

And so it was that these issues continued in my musings as I was reading "Emma and Joseph" (1999, Covenant Communications, Inc.) when the words describing Joseph Smith's visit to the United States Congress seemed to leap off the page (page 215):

"There is a great deal of wind blown off on the occasion of each day...."

Visit my other posts at this website for my thoughts on the more pressing political issues.

Please share this message with others, and ask them to go and do likewise!

Hoosier Homage

Offering an invocation at the West Virginia State Legislature

The following is my response to an old Hoosier friend, and his original note to me:

Noel,

Thank you for your kind thoughts and encouraging words.

The surgeon tells me that I have a most excellent prognosis, although the final results of the biopsy are still being analyzed.

I think of you, my former Hoosier Bishop, and my other old friends in Indiana often, as I also pine for the company of my friends and former associates in the West Virginia State Capitol.

Meanwhile, why God repeatedly has made me His "Designated Survivor" remains a mystery to me.

Your fervent friend and fan,

Larry

www.Mormon.org/me/4Y8B

-----Original Message-----

From: "Duerden, Noel H"

Sent: Nov 17, 2016 8:51 PM

To: "Larry D. Kump"

Subject: Kudos to you

I just read your treatise on Faith and Politics ("Faith & Politics, My Personal Pilgrimage" entry at this website) and marvel at your understanding and depth of thought. It was an inspiration to me and further affirms my faith in the Latter-day work. I would so much like to have you in Indiana again where you could help our members and others, understand and live lives more fully. I hope your cancer is beaten so that you can continue helping others in their quests for truth and understanding of life

An Election Reflection

What impressed me the most about our recent elections was not the candidates, the political parties, or even the ballot issues.

What impressed me most was all of you, who quietly and peacefully stood up and spoke out at the ballot box.

Our Founding Fathers are smiling, and so am I.

Please share this message with others, and ask them to go and do likewise!

Postscriptum: Apparently, some folks remain confused about the point of this post. It has nothing to do with any individual political candidate or any political party. It is solely about the voter turnout at the election, and how important it is for all of us to be anxiously engaged in the election of our leaders. Good grief!

After the Election?

Prior to the trembling birth of our great nation’s “American Excellence”, Thomas Paine wrote, “These are the times that try men’s souls” ( “The American Crisis”).

Nowadays, many likeminded and concerned citizens feel the same way about our elected and wanna-be elected officials, as well as for the future of West Virginia and our country.

Further, many of us didn’t much care for our election choices.

Me?

While I am pleased and proud to return and report that I was the very first voter in West Virginia's Berkeley County, I also confess that my heart truly yearned for some better ballot box choices.

Simply put: Too many, in both major political parties, far too often seek out their own self-aggrandizement, as well as intrusion over the lives of all of us and our families.

Far too often, their pandering political flatulence leads them to believe that they know better than we do about what’s best for us and our families.

Even so, and regardless of who you supported in this year’s elections, let not our hearts be troubled.

There are many steps that still and should be enacted into law, to make West Virginia and our nation greater.