Business, Government Legal News from throughout WVWV must keep moving toward a better future

West Virginians should be encouraged by the way the state's lawmakers have handled their duties in 2012. Both chambers of the state Legislature have, at least for now, put aside politics and embraced an aggressive agenda of working for the people.

Issues such as mine safety, upgrading West Virginia's tax code and dealing with long-term debt were given the attention they deserved. Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin has shown leadership, vision and the kind of tactical savvy that produces results. For the first time in a long time, it seems that the state's elected leaders are doing what they can to move our state forward.

Still, hard and difficult issues remain on the table. Accurately or inaccurately, West Virginia's legal system has been maligned as unfair and biased. While some may defend the system, it should be clear to all that the state can and must make some very serious upgrades. Just how to make those improvements is debatable, but if we do nothing we will be left asking "what if."

West Virginia could be at the forefront of all phases of a burgeoning natural gas industry — from pulling the resource out of the ground to processing it. We have so much to offer in terms of infrastructure and work force, yet we're haunted by a court system that often puts ideology over equality. 

Legal scholars debate what changes we need to make; some call for a wholesale makeover while others suggest the state only needs minor adjustments. The underlying question should be how do we put ourselves in a position that when two parties walk into a courtroom, they are each given a fair shot? West Virginia's legal system has been described as "anti-business." We would hope that any reforms would not be labeled as "pro-business." We would hope that our courts could be considered fair, continually affirm that justice is blind and that we are all equal before the law.

Attracting investment is never easy, but what company is going to deploy or develop assets in a state that can bring the entire process to a screeching halt? We are poised for something special in West Virginia. The prosperity that has eluded this state for a generation could be within reach. But, as the saying goes, we are so close yet so far. 

Our elected leaders, a group that has proven over the last few months that they are capable of putting aside differences and overcoming the special interests, must stand strong for us and continue marching toward a better West Virginia.