Entries by John Doyle

Suspend the Gas Tax — Responsibly

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Everyone across the state is feeling the effect of the Iran War in raising drastically the cost of gas. Relief at the pump is needed and the WV Legislature is aware of it. John Doyle describes two proposals, both aimed at providing some relief. One supported by Democrats calls for a suspension of the tax, but replacing the lost revenue from another source, so that needed work on road improvements won’t be stalled. The Republican plan calls for a simple suspension of the tax, which John Doyle argues would lead to more potholes going unfixed.

Data Centers: Talk of the Panhandle

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The topic of data centers is contentious for communities actually or potentially impacted by them. It’s so contentious that our Republican dominated legislature has taken away the rights of these communities to regulate them and even to have them at all. John Doyle makes the case that these community rights legislated away for now have to be reconsidered and restored in future legislative sessions.

A Chaotic Conclusion to the 2026 Legislative Session

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The WV Legislator meets for two winter months to decide on new legislation which (with the governor’s signing) will make its way into law. John Doyle gives a wrap of the 2026 session and tells the sad tale that Jefferson County came away with just about nothing of consequence. And worse, the chaotic close of the session meant that even the good bills which made it to the final votes, failed to even get those votes. The clock ran out.