From The Well


At the center of the West Virginia state capitol is an area known as “The Well.” It is the informal gathering place for lobbyists, reporters, constituents and lawmakers. Centrally located between the chambers of the House of Delegates and Senate, The Well is often where information is shared, alliances are formed and deals are made.

From The Well

A State Project to Map Overdoses in Real Time


Brian Skinner Government & Policy, Opioid Drug Crisis

Route Fifty — By Kate Elizabeth Queram – October 14, 2020 A statewide project in Connecticut takes reports of suspected opioid overdoses from first responders and maps them in real time, helping community partners better direct their services to high-risk areas. Read more . . .        

Big Sun Expected to Overtake Big Coal by 2025


Brian Skinner Energy & enviroment

By Brian Skinner, Esq. In 2025, solar power is expected to overtake coal as the largest means of energy production, according to the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) annual World Energy Outlook report.  Solar output is expected to lead a surge in renewable power supply in the next decade, with renewables seen accounting for 80% of growth in …Read More

Crisis Looms as Federal Eviction Moratorium is Under Assault


Brian Skinner COVID-19, Evictions, Housing

By Brian Skinner, Esq. A story in today’s Washington Post reports that landlords, apartment owners and housing industry groups have unleashed a barrage of legal challenges against the Trump administration’s order protecting renters from eviction, leaving millions of families once again facing the risk of homelessness in the middle of a deadly pandemic.  On a …Read More

The Impact of Covid-19 on State And Local Governments


Brian Skinner Local Government, State Fiscal & Economic Policy

By Brian Skinner, Esq. News on Sunday revealed that the White House has again pivoted in its approach to stimulus negotiations, with the president’s aides pushing for immediate action on a narrow measure after the administration’s $1.8 trillion proposal was rebuffed by members of both parties. This comes after months of negotiations between Treasury Secretary Steven …Read More

Are Poll Watchers Permitted in West Virginia?


Brian Skinner Elections

By Brian Skinner, Esq. During last Tuesday night’s presidential debate, President Trump urged his supporters, as he has done before, “to go into the polls and watch very carefully.” The president’s remarks have caused growing concern over potential confrontations at polling places due to deep partisan divides and baseless claims by President Trump that Democrats …Read More

865,000 women leave the workforce last month.


Brian Skinner COVID-19, Economy

The Lilly — Soo Youn — October 7, 2020 Jenai A. Rossow was working full time at a county clinic near Ithaca, N.Y., when shelter-in-place orders forced the first overhaul of her work life. The mother of two and social worker was able to use paid emergency leave as schools and day cares shut down. …Read More

Virgin Hyperloop to build Hyperloop Certification Center in West Virginia


Brian Skinner Economy, Technology

By Brian Skinner, Esq. Today, Virgin Hyperloop announced it will locate a certification facility on nearly 800 acres of land spanning Tucker and Grant counties, where it will leverage intellectual capital and resources from Marshall University, West Virginia University and from across the state. The announcement comes after years of testing and developing hyperloop technology at …Read More