Union workers at The Greenbrier still have health care coverage
The West Virginia Weakly Reader for Saturday, August 31, 2024
Welcome back to the West Virginia Weakly, coming to you this weekend from the Weakly’s Eastern Panhandle listening post.
The Morgantown office is closed.
Dave is on vacation.
He says he’ll be back in the saddle next week. At least, I think he told me that. My memory isn’t what it used to be. And truth be told, we’re not organized enough to think things through when one of us goes on vacation. Dave will be back when he’s back.
At any rate, Gov. Jim Justice and his family businesses — including The Greenbrier Hotel — are still making news. You likely already knew that, but did you know that WVMetroNews reporter Brad McElhinny was brought in from the cold this week?
McElhinny was frozen out of Gov. Justice’s weekly online media briefings for four straight weeks over his questions about the troubles faced by the Justice family businesses.
The governor relented this week and McElhinny returned to hilarious effect, which comes as no surprise. McElhinny is known for his humor. And I’m old enough to remember when he wrote a humor column in his previous life at the old Charleston Daily Mail.
McElhinny was the last to be called upon. He referred to Justice’s remarks the previous week about the “vile” coverage his businesses have received, asked after the well-being of one of the governor’s hunting dogs, Little Lily, before inviting Justice to speak about the settlement agreement that keeps health care benefits rolling along for hundreds of union workers at The Greenbrier Hotel before finally wishing him well.
The exchange is totally worth watching.
Obviously, Greenbrier employees got some good news this week. And while Justice acknowledged his businesses have hit a rough road, he asserted that they “will be just fine.”
We’ll sort out the latest and also sketch out what happened at this week’s legislative interim meetings in Charleston in this weekend’s WV Weakly Reader.
Let’s get to it.
The West Virginia Weakly Reader
⚕️ Before Gov. Justice’s Thursday media briefing got underway, McElhinny posted statements on social media from the union representing Greenbrier employees1 and from the historic hotel’s management.2 The upshot is — an agreement was reached that keeps in place health care benefits for The Greenbrier’s union workers. There had been a lot of hand wringing over the issue over the past week or more.3 The employees health fund had said they would lose their benefits today, alleging delinquent premium contributions.
🦺 Lawyers representing federal agencies said this week that the Justice family should not have entered into an agreement to pay delinquent mine safety fines if they couldn’t afford to pay them. They urged a judge to “reject Defendants’ attempt to escape their agreed-upon financial obligations and should hold Defendants in civil contempt.” The court filing4 came in a case involving 23 companies coal companies owned by the Justice family.5
📢 Speaking of The Greenbrier, Gov. Justice appeared on a stage there Wednesday — a day after the averted (at least for now) auction of the grand hotel. During the state Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Meeting and Business Summit, he announced three economic developments projects representing investments worth $220 million and more than 300 jobs.6 Participants also heard competing economic messages from the major party candidates for governor, Republican Attorney General Patrick Morrisey, and Steve Williams, Huntington’s Democratic Mayor.7
🧒 West Virginia lawmakers meeting in Charleston for legislative interim meetings were greeted at the Capitol by a rally this past Sunday. It was organized by child care providers and families who say the child care system is at a breaking point.8 The following day, State Department of Human Services Secretary Cynthia Persily played down a funding crisis in the state’s child care assistance program. She told lawmakers on the Joint Standing Committee on Finance that there is “no immediate crisis,” but that the state needs to have a plan. Uncertainty around funding stems from a change in federal rules. It has led dozens of child care providers to shut their doors this year.9
💰 Gov. Justice had suggested the funding shortfall in the state’s child care subsidy program would be on the call for a special session that would coincide with the August interim meetings. He also wanted lawmakers to address his proposal to cut the state’s personal income tax by an additional 5% on top of a 4% cut that’s set to go into effect in January after the state met a trigger laid out in legislation lawmakers passed in 2023. A special session didn’t happen, but lawmakers did raise concerns about moving too fast with state Revenue Secretary Larry Pack and his deputy, Mark Muchow.10
😲 County commissioners from around West Virginia were at the Capitol this week to update lawmakers on the challenges they face keeping up with their jail bills.11 And WVMetroNews described a presentation on the state’s drug crisis by Legislative Policy Advisor Jeremiah Samples as “spine-chilling.”12
🛣️ Driving the West Virginia Turnpike is set to get more expensive next year. State Parkways Authority Executive Director Jeff Miller told lawmakers during their interim meetings in Charleston that the toll will increase 5% in 2025 and he warned that it may take a while longer to get through toll booths because turnpike users will also have the option to use credit cards. He said testing shows plastic is a slower payment method than cash or using an E-Z Pass.13
FUN FACT: Groundbreaking ceremonies for the West Virginia Turnpike were held in Mercer County 72 years ago this week, on August 29, 1952.14
🛣️ The state Division of Highways began accepting bids this week for the construction of the the next section of the King Coal Highway in Mercer County. The DoH told the Bluefield Daily Telegraph that it expects “major earthwork” on a 2.5 mile section to begin early next year.15
🐶 Opponents of the state Capitol mural project have followed through on a lawsuit threat. The suit filed in Kanawha County Circuit Court Friday afternoon seeks to halt the project spearheaded by Arts and Culture Secretary Randall Reid-Smith. And it calls for the removal of the murals already in place, including the one that controversially includes Babydog, Gov. Justice’s sidekick.16
🏛️ City government in the Mingo County seat of Williamson is in disarray. Interim Mayor Joseph Bucci resigned this week, citing personal reasons. City Council offered Bucci the job just three months ago after Charles Hatfield stepped down and pleaded guilty in a federal case accusing him of embezzling more than $30,000 when he was the chief executive of the former Williamson Memorial Hospital.17
😲 Raleigh County Prosecuting Attorney Ben Hatfield is facing a revolt from within his office. Nine employees have filed a civil lawsuit alleging a hostile working environment, sexual harassment and gender-based discrimination. He’s been placed on administrative leave. Hatfield is nearing the end of his first term. He is seeking re-election in November.18 19
⚖️ The state Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation has agreed to a one-million dollar settlement in a lawsuit filed over the death of a 26-year-old man at the North Central Regional Jail in 2019. The family of Zachery Bailey alleges that he was suffocated to death by corrections officers.20
😔 Boone County is mourning the loss of a middle school football player. Thirteen-year-old Cohen Craddock died a week ago today after he was injured during practice the previous day.21
🏈 Goes without saying that football is a dangerous game, but it’s also baked into American culture. The high school season in West Virginia begins this weekend and the major college game returns as well. West Virginia University is opening the season at home against Penn State today. Kickoff at Milan Puskar Stadium is set for noon. You can watch the WVU game on Fox Sports, but if you’re attending the game in person, be prepared to walk through metal detectors. They’ve been installed at athletic venues on campus as a result of the Campus Carry Law state lawmakers passed in 2023.22 In Huntington, Marshall’s season opener against Stony Brook gets underway at Joan C. Edwards stadium at 5 p.m. The Marshall game will be on ESPN+.
What we’re reading — opinion, commentary, analysis and other stuff we find interesting.
COMMENTARY: Late and unpaid bills are nothing new for Justice and his family businesses ~ Leann Ray, West Virginia Watch
OPINION: Reporter’s notebook: Pressing issues ~ Steven Allen Adams, Ogden Newspapers
West Virginia Poll: solid leads for Morrisey and Justice in upcoming election ~ Brad McElhinny, WVMetroNews
OPINION: West Virginia Senate seat is wide open ~ Ken Silverstein, DC Journal
In Doddridge County, some voters want the government to step aside — and churches to step up ~ Erin Beck, Mountain State Spotlight
A West Virginia county has basically given up on government entirely ~ Charles P. Pierce, Esquire
Greenbrier Hotel: no interruptions in healthcare coverage for workers ~ Brad McElhinny, WVMetroNews
Federal attorneys: If Justice companies can’t afford mine safety fine payments, then they shouldn’t have agreed to pay ~ Brad McElhinny, WVMetroNews
West Virginia Gov. Justice announces $220 million in economic projects estimated to create more than 300 new jobs ~ Charles Young, The State Journal
Morrisey, Williams focus on boosting businesses, combating drug crisis in back-to-back speeches ~ Amelia Ferrell Knisely, West Virginia Watch
‘We are at a breaking point:’ Child care providers, family rally at Capitol amid funding debacle ~ Amelia Ferrell Knisely, West Virginia Watch
DoHS leaders says child care funding isn’t in ‘crisis,’ but needs long term funding plan ~ Amelia Ferrell Knisely, West Virginia Watch
Interim Session: West Virginia lawmakers raise concerns about future tax revenues and expenses ~ Steven Allen Adams, Ogden Newspapers
County officials tell lawmakers their jail bill remain major financial challenges ~ Brad McElhinny, WVMetroNews
While major resources have gone toward drug crisis, analyst says the results are dim ~ Brad McElhinny, WVMetroNews
West Virginia Turnpike to accept credit cards, raise rates at toll booths in 2025 ~ Kristopher Plona, WCHS-TV
Entry on the West Virginia Turnpike ~ Carol Melling, the online West Virginia Encyclopedia
Next section of the King Coal Highway in Mercer County advertised for construction ~ Charles Owens, Bluefield Daily Telegraph
Lawsuit alleges an unlawful process resulted in mural with the governor’s dog ~ Brad McElhinny, WVMetroNews
Bucci resigns as Mayor, emergency meetings called ~ Josh Brown, The Williamson Daily News
Office workers hit Hatfield with civil suit ~ Josephine E. Moore, Beckley Register-Herald
Raleigh circuit judges informed commission of concerns regarding prosecuting attorney ~ Josephine E. Moore, Beckley Register-Herald
State agrees to $1 million settlement in suffocation lawsuit at NCRJ ~ Ashley Perham, Charleston Gazette-Mail
Boone County community mourns loss of student-athlete ~ Roger Adkins, The Logan Banner
Metal Detectors to be added to athletic venues ~ WVU press release