Oct. 23, 2005
 
EDITORIAL: The WV Economy: Time’s a Wastin’
 
We hear the stats, some of which have now become a sad cliche: "West Virginia is first in the economic surveys where you want to be last and last in the surveys where you want to be first." We laugh it off ruefully, as yet another friend, young couple, or family member waves goodbye to live in a state that actually has some new private sector jobs growth.
 
But it never really hits home until you visit one of these states yourself. Visit Columbus sometime and see what a 21st century city looks like. No, it won't look like something out of "Buck Rogers," but you will be impressed by the fact that, downtown, there are no...empty storefronts.
 
The city is bustling, and it seems almost incidental that it also happens to have the state capitol. Whereas Charleston could literally not survive without the so-so jobs the statehouse brings it, Columbus couldn't care less about being the state capital of Ohio. It's got more than enough irons in the fire, with or without the government jobs.
 
Now we can make excuses, some reasonable enough: Ohio has more flat land, which is better for roads and manufacturers. But these excuses don't change the reality at the end of the day: if West Virginia doesn't turn the page soon on our hostile legislative, judicial, and yes, Mr. Manchin, even our executive branch towards small and large businesses, we're doomed.
 
The courts are being addressed by Don Blankenship. The voters will have another chance next year to decide if their legislators know which end is up when it comes to fostering a true business climate in all parts of the Mountain State.
 
But few are asking tough questions of the Chief Executive, Joe Manchin, who talks a good game and even sounds like a businessman. But aside from the Workers Comp. work done during the last regular legislative session, what else can he point to as helping West Virginia's reputation as the worst place to locate a business on the East Coast?
 
West Virginians should demand more results and less honey talk. As the median age of West Virginia gets ever higher, even fewer young people will want to stay and look for work here or start up their own business. We are about to go more quickly into a damaging downward spiral unless Governor Manchin and the legislature are able to quit running for re-election for awhile and find out what other states have done to improve their business climates.
 
The future of the state, a state we all love, is at stake. If the Governor and the legislature aren't up to the task, they should give someone else a turn.