The warnings for upcoming prom's and the likelihood of illegal drinking is not going to go away any more than the "just try one" does (drugs in other forms). Sadly, we are becoming or have become to permissive and are now reaping what we have sowed.
I have been reading all the letters/ articles coming out for the Anti-Discrimination Ordinance in P'burg and have managed to get myself confused again? It started out (I thought), for the right of those who have an issue with which bathroom to use? And seemingly has evolved to cover just about anything and everything? This LGBTQ is a new one to me? I understand and I hope no one gets offended, but the L= Lesbian; the G=Gay; the B= Bisexual; the T= Transgender (?) and the Q= Queer? I have thought that for many years, the Q word was a Politically Incorrect term? Yet, now it seems to be okay for them to use like the Blacks can call each other the N word but no one else can? Am I correct on that or as noted, I have gotten myself confused on what is going on today? Apparently for the moment it has been Tabled, but that does not forever mean gone? Change a few words and we may well see it there again?
And yet again, Mr. Myer has hit it on "How much cash is hidden"? The answer if I may quote Peter, Paul and Mary is just "Blowing in the Wind". No knows OR is supposed to know? That is why so many Agencies just hide it in one account or another to keep rolling forward and when possible be added too each year. Each Agency be it State, County or Municipality should be forced to a sum zero balance at the end of each Fiscal Year. Expenditures should also be watched and controlled for the last 45 days of a Fiscal Year to prevent Wild and Wonderful spending if I may use a beloved West Virginia phrase? Tough to do you say? Initially, but after a year of so of careful monitoring AND holding Department Heads responsible for blatant/ obvious lying on the budget with an appropriate removal or two, the problem should balance.
I got my usual grin (snicker Mr. Bibbee), when I read that the County was looking for ways to save money in the Budget. Ended up with a bit of Bull S*** in that they decided to raise the Property Tax Levy by the least possible. Intent: deceive the folks in the County. Should have honestly read: RAISE the Levy by the MOST possible and still avoid putting it on a Ballot measure to be voted on. The Truth will usually out with time and it just now did. This popped up when the County Commission was clearly told there would be NO County Sales Tax to happen this year at the State level. So with all the good spirit the Commission could muster, it became a matter of screw the Tax Payers a little or screw them a lot; but for sure screw them.
The County openly admits it has $300K in Mobile Home taxes to collect. It has at last open admission over 700 out of State Vehicles that are not converting to West Virginia Plates to resolve. Gave Mr. Nohe four the other day; have seen no one around anywhere yet? The County seems unable or unwilling to pursue the missing money? Easier to just raise taxes on those who are doing the right thing than to do its job? And the rumor is that the County may well sue the State to get the 1% Sales Tax that many Cities now get? Does the term incompetent ring a bell here to anyone? Raise, raise, raise; but don't go after the bad guys. That would take stones and maybe they are lacking?
With only a couple more days for bills to get out of one branch of the Legislature to the other or "drop dead" as the term goes, expect some midnight oil to be burnt. Will it be for things that truly matter or will we continue to name bridges, buildings and brothels for long lamented folks of whatever stripe?
And Mr. Justice should be very happy; actually should do a Ms. Pelosi jump in the air for getting six Democans to attend one of his budget talks. That is six more than Mr. Trump got to support his Trumpcare Bill that just went down in flames. He talks about the "level of pain" the folks are getting or will get but I have yet to see a single position eliminated at ANY of the high levels in the various Agencies?
The huge brouhaha over the "Emergency Lantern" is a bit misunderstood I fear? While I can for sure understand it be a sign for the loss of folks, the pain and damage some will suffer from the bills working their way through the Legislature is going to be huge by any standard.
The solution is NOT more and more taxes, but a reduction of two dollars for every one dollar that is increased via a tax, fee, surcharge or whatever it is called. That will ease the hurt for those who do not have stable high buck jobs with benefits and in this State that is a bunch.
I am going to question but what that VAT (Consumption Tax), or the Sales Tax on food will drive more businesses out of coming here than bring in?
Will bet anyone $1.00- 2.98 that you are not going to see anything close to that. 'nuff said'.