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by: The Rufus
Speaker Thompson is one of the front runners in the upcoming Democratic primary for Governor but is he turning his back on key Democratic initiatives? Education, LGBT rights, and health care have all been thwarted by Thompson.
Thompson has been unable to get legislation through his chamber on education- efforts that have kept WV from receiving huge sums of funding from the Obama Administration's Race to the Top. I am with the teacher's unions but something must be done and Thompson's inability to find a compromise over the past few years has been telling of his leadership ability.
Thompson has thwarted efforts again this year to pass anti discrimination legislation that would protect LGBT West Virginians from work place discrimination because of their sexual orientation. This legislation passed the Senate the past two years because of support from acting Senate President Kessler to only die in the House.
Finally, the House looks like it will fail to pass legislation to allow the State to implement federal health reform. Kessler's Senate has passed this legislation but nothing has taken place in the House on anything health reform related, including the so called health insurance exchange.
All of these issues are core to the Democratic platform and Thompson has failed on all three. There is still time this session for Thompson to do something to prove to voters he is worthy of consideration. If he thinks playing his guitar will win him favor with the Democratic base or progressives he is badly off key. |
