Shook wrote that Frich "was often seen around the Capitol, but she apparently misunderstood what transpired on the home rule bill." He should recall that he approached me on the floor of the House of Delegates the first day the home rule bill was amended.
Shook expressed his concern to me about the debate and asked for my thoughts and advice. I had to remain guarded with my comments because I am not a registered lobbyist: otherwise, even a former delegate would lose her right to floor privileges at the Legislature. At all times, I abided by the Ethics Act and Rules of the House.
Now in his letter, Shook writes that he voted for the initial amendment to require a referendum. The reader may consider his word for that, as the House amendment passed on an unrecorded voice vote. At the time, I was not surprised that he signed away the citizens' right to vote on home rule.
What is surprising is that Shook, along with Delegate Bob Beach, D-Monongalia, introduced the gambling industry's unconstitutional bill to legalize casino table games (House Bill 2718). They sponsored the gambling bill which, after many amendments to fund senior health care and increase the government's take in the gambling profits, is now the law of the land.
Maybe I should not be surprised that Shook and Beach sponsored a bill which called for incredibly low license fees and taxes on the expansion of gambling. After all, the gambling industry worked hard and spent a lot of money to replace me.
Cindy Frich
Morgantown