Capito puts Republican Party ahead of West Virginians again

by: Carnacki

Thu Jan 06, 2011 at 18:05:48 PM EST

West Virginia highways will be among the first victims of the new U. S. House leadership with the announcement by Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) that he and the GOP conference will begin to change the way federal highway dollars are allocated.  The change would treat highway funding, with some exceptions, as other spending bills - subject to any member's attempt to reduce the amounts. The proposal will cause an estimated 20 percent cut  in West Virginia's highway budget, according to U. S. Sen. Joe Manchin.  Even the U. S. Chamber of Commerce predicts "major job losses" if the measure is enacted.

West Virginia's Democratic leadership sounded off against the proposed rule changes with Manchin calling the rule change "an irresponsible cut".

U. S. Sen. Jay Rockefeller stated "[the] rule will paralyze West Virginia's infrastructure."

As expected, GOP rank-and-file member Shelley Moore Capito will be supporting this devastating action.  Despite the damage the rule change would have on West Virginia's economy and infrastructure, Capito has decided to put her party's interests above the interests of ordinary West Virginians.

West Virginia cannot afford job losses and infrastructure cuts.  At a time when we expect our leaders to defend our interests, we find once again, Shelley Moore Capito can be found supporting Washington, not West Virginia.

All West Virginians should ask themselves: "Who is on our side?"