March 27, 2010
 
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Jim Morgan Subverts Democracy, Open Debate in SB 489
 
Prior to this legislative session, several volunteers traveled the State and connected by e-mail and phone calls to discuss recycling across the Mountain State. Those discussions led to the introduction of SB 489. The bill’s purpose was to request the State to conduct a study to determine if the recycling goals set by the legislature are being met. This bill passed two Senate committees and enjoyed thumbs up vote on the Senate floor.
 
Then, the bill went to the House. The bill was “amended” at the request of House Government Organization Committee Chairman Jim Morgan. By his own admission in a later conversation with me, he sought the amendment at the request of the “waste haulers”. The amendment reduced the bill to one sentence that proposed lowering the State’s recycling goals.
 
This is not an editorial about the merits of recycling or voting against a certain person. Rather, my point is the loss of democracy. Under Morgan, the morals of democracy and open debate are lost. Under Morgan, the hidden agenda’s and hallway whispers win.
 
As a result, this seventh generation West Virginian is ashamed of the State and the behavior of one elected official. But, I doubt he cares.