Legislation sponsored by Republicans in Charleston is summarily dismissed by Democratcontrolled committees and leadership. Bills of importance are resubmitted and passed under Democrat sponsorship. Many of former Delegate Cindy Frich's sponsored bills passed after such sleight of maneuvers. When you care more about the people you represent and their lives, than who gets the credit, you are a statesman rather than a mere politician.
For example, Frich cosponsored, with the ranking Republican on Fleischauer's [House] Judiciary Committee, a "castle doctrine bill" allowing us to protect our homes against invaders. Fleischauer saw that Frich was removed as sponsor. Everyone then voted for the bill — except Fleischauer. The Kelo decision from the U.S. Supreme Court made our property liable to confiscation, through eminent domain, for private developers unless protected by state legislation. Frich built public support for a bill to protect state property owners.
She initially introduced the child protection bill dealing with sexual predators, commonly referred to as "Logan's Law." As our Gov. Joe Manchin wanted credit for the bill, it died, only to be re-introduced, under Democrat sponsorship and name, in a taxpayer-funded "special session."
Let's examine the recent history of the so-called team on matters of importance to the citizens of Monongalia County. For six months, they were silent on the Bresch degree scandal at WVU. Of course, to state an opinion risked their cushy committee positions, so none did. Frich, however, stated her position as a speaker at a forum on Mountainlair Plaza in June.
The team sat idly by while changes in the funding for roads in a 30-year projection favored the southern counties and left fastgrowing, tax-paying Monongalia County in traffic jams with no new roads for more than a quarter of a century. But the team had an answer for us — they supported a user fee for Monongalia County. Not surprisingly, Frich voted against the bill in the House. Fleischauer now wants a bill taking a percentage of our salaries for roads, thus bypassing a voter referendum. Nice. If the team has its way, we will sit in traffic on deteriorating roads while attempting to get to whatever property we still have, but are unable to protect from confiscation by developers or home invaders. Our insurance premiums will be through the roof. Oh, and if we need a degree just call the team. They sold their silence for committee positions in Charleston. This team sings from a single page and the voters of Monongalia County do not choose the music. "Team," indeed has no "I," but "integrity" has two.