Print |
E-mail to a friend
OPINIONS
Editorial: On state Supreme Court, Hechler documentary and EITC
Ken Hechler greets the crowd as “Ken Hechler: In Pursuit of Justice,” a two-hour documentary focusing on the life, career and legacy of the former West Virginia congressman and secretary of state, had its first public showing on Saturday at the Marshall University Student Center.
Purchase this photoThe popular cliché is that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. Or to put it another way, the same old approach is going to produce the same old outcome.
This year's race for the Supreme Court is a case in point. West Virginia is still wincing from its recent high-court soap opera, in which two justices recused themselves from hearing a Massey Coal case and a third justice should have -- largely because huge campaign contributions and other factors raised questions about the justices' impartiality.
But here we are, at it again. Candidates for two seats of the Supreme Court already have raised $1.8 million, and it's just April. Of course, the current candidates have little choice. They will win or lose in partisan elections, heavily influenced by contributions from the lawyers and businesses that are likely to appear before them. It is just a bad system.
In fact, most of the current field of candidates agree change is needed and favor a move to non-partisan elections with some form of funding cap or public funding. You can read their positions on our Election 2008 Web site at www.herald-dispatch.com.
We hope the legislature is paying attention.
KEN HECHLER TRIBUTE: The new documentary "Ken Hechler: In Pursuit of Justice" premiered at Marshall University over the weekend and serves as a wonderful tribute to one of West Virginia's most beloved political leaders.
The 93-year-old Hechler was in attendance and gave filmmakers Russ Barbour and Chip Hitchcock top marks for their work and thanked Marshall Dean of Libraries Barbara Winters, who "quarterbacked and spark-plugged this effort from the beginning."
Hechler's legacy of public service stretches beyond his government service on the state and federal level to include many special years as an educator at Marshall. Whether in the 1950s or in recent years, students were treated to a teacher who not only knew history, but had made history.
If you missed the premiere, you can look forward to a broadcast of the Hechler documentary on Public Television later this year.
EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT: April 15 looms as a dreaded deadline for many taxpayers, but it is also a time of opportunity for scores of low-income families.
For families that qualify, the Earned Income Tax Credit could mean a refund of thousands of dollars. The combination of that credit with this year's Economic Stimulus payments could mean a real new lease on life for many families with incomes below $40,000.
The Southwest Earned Income Tax Credit Coalition continues to offer workshops throughout the region to help families prepare and file their tax forms -- free of charge. The coalition also can provide helpful information on how to turn this windfall into a better financial future, from opening a checking account and getting bills paid to planning for college or building savings.
But there are only a few more dates left, so we hope eligible families will take advantage of this opportunity. For times and locations, check our Web site or the Community section of the newspaper.
