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

Drug Courts &. Prison Reform

Click on the "blue print" below to read the complete newspaper article:

	House passes prison legislation - journal-news.net | News, sports, jobs, community information for Martinsburg - The Journal Source: journal-news.net CHARLESTON — In an 81 to 17 vote, the West Virginia legislature Friday morning passed a prison overcrowding bill after much debate from House member...

Will Beretta Come to West Virginia?

With Beretta firearms company now announcing their intention to leave Maryland, what is the possibility that they will come to West Virginia?

Click on the link below for the orginal newspaper story on this issue:

Lawmakers invite gun maker to relocate to W.Va.

by The Associated Press

The Associated Press

Note: Please also see the previous entries at this website about this issue, "Bertta's Response" and "Dear Beretta".

Beretta's Response

Dear Delegate Kump,

Thank you very much for your kind letter of February 27, 2013.

We appreciate your expression of interest in having the Beretta companies in the U.S. move to your region; however, we are not entertaining invitations of that type at this time but instead are focused on the legislative debate pending in Maryland relating to potential firearm and firearm magazine bans. Only after that debate is resolved and the impact of pending legislation on our companies is known will we evaluate what further steps, if any, our companies need to take in that regard. Certainly if our business interests require that we expand or relocate part of our operations elsewhere we will consider West Virginia in that regard.


Sincerest regards,


BERETTA U.S.A. CORP.


Jeffrey K. Reh
General Counsel and Vice-General Manager
17601 Beretta Drive
Accokeek, MD 20607



Note: Please see my original "Dear Beretta.." letter, entry of February 27th, 2013, at this website.

Dear Beretta...

February 27, 2013

Mr. Jeffrey Reh, General Counsel
Beretta USA
17601 Beretta Drive
Accokeek, MD 20607

Re: West Virginia Welcomes You!


Dear Mr. Reh,

West Virginia, known throughout our nation for our respect and
reverence of the 2nd Amendment, should be Beretta's first choice for
relocation from the less than friendly environment you currently endure in Maryland.

Here in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia, we are in close
proximity to our nation's Capitol and also at a nexus of superior
transportation routes.

Please bring Beretta's operations here to our open arms, where
your company and your employees will savor our family friendly atmosphere, excellent technical training resources with the Blue Ridge Technical College, and pleasantly affordable cost of living.

Looking forward to hearing from and working with Beretta, I remain,




Working together to stay independent,


Delegate Larry D. Kump



LDK/lc

2013 Legislative News #8

With this past week's deadline for passage of legislative proposals (bills) from the originating chamber (West Virginia House of Delegates and Senate), most bills died, but many remain.

Now, in the remaining days of this first session of 81st Legislature, the House of Delegates and the Senate will concentrate their efforts on consideration of legislation already passed by the other chamber.

This session will end shortly after Midnight on Saturday, April 13th, but then we will reconvene the following week to vote on the West Virginia State Budget.

Meanwhile, West Virginia Senate leaders continue to express reluctance to even have committee hearings on the numerous 2nd Amendment protection proposals passed by the House of Delegates, and that dynamic will continue to be watched closely by Mountaineer citizens.

Also, and in the House of Delegates this week, a few bills had passed their respective committees and were scheduled for votes on the last day for their consideration (Wednesday. April 3rd), but were pulled from the voting calendar at the last minute by the House Democrat leaders. It is speculated by many that this was done because these leaders ruefully realized that these bills simply would not receive enough votes for final passage from the House of Delegates.

One of these bills was HB 2946.

HB 2946 would have expanded the hours in which alcoholic beverages could be served on Sundays.

My position on HB 2946 was and is that booze is bad, but that public boozing is even worse.

Now, my political views are much more libertarian in nature than politically partisan, mostly because I believe that our personal behavior which doesn't harm others simply should not be the concern of government.

However, that just is not the case with public boozing.

West Virginia is my residence of choice and I love it dearly, but many outside of our mountain refuge sadly visualize our homeplace as filled with strip clubs, gambling dens, and rowdy bars.

So and with HB 2946, here we go again.

HB 2946 was not just about commerce.

Booze has a devastating effect upon our society and families, but it also dramatically adds to death and carnage on our highways.

Now,and on an intensely personal note, some of you know about my conversion to my faith many years ago.

Very few others know that one happy side circumstance of my religious conversion was that, among other things, it rescued me from the ravages of alcoholism, and I haven't had a drink of that stuff since February 22nd, 1969.

I love capitalism and the free market, but let us not allow enteprenurial greed to blind us from prudent public policy.

Pulling HB 2946 from the House of Delegates voting calendar was a sober deliberation and decision.

MARC & Home Rule Updates

Click on the link below for this newspaper story:
http://www.herald-mail.com/news/tristate/hm-wva-senate-oks-tax-credit-for-e-panhandle-commuter-rail-service-20130402,0,4093939.story

2013 Eastern Panhandle News #8

Participating in this morning's State House meeting of the Eastern Panhandle Legislators were Delegates Larry D. Kump, Mike Folk, Paul Espinosa, Larry Faircloth, Jason Barrett, Ruth Rowan, Daryl Cowles, John Overington, Eric Householder, Tiffany Lawrence, and Steven Skinner.

Our caucus meeting guest was West Virginia Transportation Secretary Paul Mattox, who also updated us on area road projects and fielded questions.

Secretary Mattox glumly announced that there currently are no new roads planned for West Virginia, including no improvements to Rt. 9 West of Martinsburg and Rt 522 in Morgan County, due to a serious lack of funding.

He explained that the aging and static population of West Virginia contributes to this problem, as well as the rising cost of road construction and our mountainous terrain.

According to the Secretary, West Virginia is hard put to even manage the decline of our current state road system, with repaving now on a twenty-eight year cycle, instead of the recommended twelve year cycle. He went on to say that "tar & chip" now even is being used on state road maintenance, instead of the more costly and more durable asphalt, and that the average age of our bridges is fifty years.

Mr. Mattox cited a current budget of $710 million, but said that another $750 million is needed just to properly maintain our existing state roads, and another $380 million would be needed for proposed new projects (It costs $200,000 per mile to build a new road).

He admitted that West Virginia already has one of the highest gasoline taxes in the country, even though that tax has not changed for the last ten years.

In response to concerns raised by Delegate Kump about driver safety issues on the I-81 construction at the Marlowe/Falling Waters exit, the Secretary promised to investigate that issue. He also confessed that an I-81 "bottleneck" will remain at the I-81 bridge over the Potomac River and beyond, since Maryland owns the Potomac River and is responsible for I-81 from that point northward into Maryland.

Meanwhile, the Governor has a "Blue Ribbon Committee" investigating our Mountaineer highways, and it is speculated that a special session of the Legislature might be called during this Summer to address this problem.

Emergency Legislation Introduced Today

Bill Numbers, Bill Descriptions, and Committee Assignments:


HJR 66 Amending the West Virginia Constitution by removing "Pursuit of Happiness"- to Constitutional Revision and then Judiciary.

HJR 67 Amending the West Virginia Constitution by abolishing the West Virginia Senate- to Consitutional Revision and then Judiciary

HB 3219 Requiring the Department of Transportation to fund and construct at least fifty (50) new bridges each year, solely for the Legislature to name on behalf of constituents- to Veterans Affairs and Homeland Security and then Finance.

HB 3220 Prohibiting the sale of elected and appointed officials to the lowest bidder- to Judiciary and then Finance.

HB 3221 Declaring April 1st an official state holiday, but only for certain elected and appointed officials- to Government Organization and then Finance.

HB 3222 Authorizing the Lottery Commission to promulgate legislative rules relating to wagering on the outcome of ethics commission and attorney general opinions- to Finance and then Judiciary.

HB 3223 Authoring the Secretary of State to promulgate legislative rules relating to the optional counting of ballots and the use of alternative mathematical principles for tallying election results generally- to Political Subdivisions and then Judiciary.

HCR 666 Establishing water as the official West Virginia state liquid- to Rules.


For those who don't understand the above, please consider the April 1st date of this entry's posting.

At my State House Office, in the Wee Hours

March, 2013

My "Crossover Day" Deadline Deliberations

As the "Crossover Day" deadline looms large this coming week, for the West Virginia Legislature to pass legislative proposals (bills) out of the originating chambers (House of Delegates and Senate), it seemed prudent for me to pause and ponder anew this reminder from Valley Forge that helped persuade me to serve as a citizen legislator.

 The spirit of a lone soldier in George Washington's Continental Army stands barefoot in the freezing snow. Shivering in rags, hungry, and blood-stained from battle; he holds his battered musket in bandaged hands.

 There's fire in his eyes.

 Looking over 200 years into the future, he tells all of us today,

 "I gave to you a birthright of freedom, now enshrined in your Constitution, but your children graduate from high school too careless to read it. I fought in the icy winter, without shoes and with bloody feet, to give you the right to vote, but you stayed home on election day. I left my family destitute and hungry, so you could have the freedom to stand up and speak out for liberty, but you remain uninvolved. I orphaned my children, to give you a government endowed by God, but you have sat back and allowed others to hijack our rights and responsibilities."

  And so, while the West Virginia Legislature remains in session, it nevertheless continues to remain up to each and every one of us, me and you together, to work to preserve our precious heritage of freedom, for which  so many others have sacrificed so much.


 Footnote: Please also take a moment to click on the "Why It Matters" as well as the other links listed under "Videos" on the right hand side of this website.

2013 Eastern Panhandle News #7

Participating in this morning's State House meeting of the Eastern Panhandle Legislators were Senator Don Cookman as well as Delegates Larry D. Kump, Mike Folk, Larry Faircloth, Steven Skinner, Paul Espinosa, Ruth Rowan, Daryl Cowles, Eric Householder, and John Overington.

The Maryland Area Regional Commuter (MARC) train legislation (SB 103, HB 2879) was reported on by the Reverend J. Charles Riecks, National Association of Railroad Passengers spokesperson.

He reported that MARC has been serving the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia since 1983, but West Virginia never has had a voice in its operation.

SB 103 and HB 2879 would allow West Virginia to enter into an Interstate Compact agreement with Maryland and give West Virginia a voice on behalf of the Mountaineer commuters who use MARC to travel to and from their jobs.

Approximately 450-500 West Virginia commuters board the MARC trains in West Virginia (not counting the additional West Virginians who board the MARC train in Brunswick, Maryland to catch the much earlier MARC train to Washington, D. C.).

Mr. Riecks suggested that, with MARC service to West Virginia, West Virginia would have to create additional road and bridge capacity for the increased automobile traffic.

Both SB 103 and HB 2879 are pending consideration by the Finance committees in the House of Delegates and the Senate.

A representative of the West Virginia Department of Transportation and also Attorney General Patrick Morrisey will be invited to upcoming meetings of the Eastern Panhandle Legislative Caucus.

Beginning next Monday, the Eastern Panhandle Legislative Caucus meetings at the State House will begin at 8:30 AM.

Meanwhile, click on "A Budget Solution for You & Me" under the "Video" links on the right hand side of this webpage.