Author: Carl Varney

How to Create Jobs for Young People in West Virginia
West Virginia is full of incredible outdoor adventure, beautiful mountains and endless opportunities. Recently, the Mountain State became home to the country’s 63rd national park: The New River Gorge. The sweeping vistas give way to hiking trails, blooming rhododendrons and some of the best whitewater rafting in the world. This new designation will bring in outside tourism at a scenic, federal property while providing an employment opportunity for locals – ... Continue Reading »

Federal Infrastructure Dollars Headed For West Virginia – Let’s Spend Wisely.
The word “infrastructure” is much in the news these days. The Biden administration has proposed a roughly $2 trillion plan for improving the nation’s infrastructure, in what is being called a “once-in-a-generation investment” in the United States. The plan would directly benefit West Virginia workers and mean more jobs for you, your friends, and the people in your community. Photo by Indira Tjokorda on Unsplash Some want a cheaper, scaled-down ... Continue Reading »

West Virginia’s Infrastructure Opportunity
Behind every great product or successful business is a solid foundation–a set of systems that ensures things run as smoothly as possible, much like infrastructure. A great restaurant, for example, may be a simple experience for a patron–book a reservation, arrive, dine, pay and leave. As you sit and enjoy your meal, unbeknownst to you (if you have never worked in the service industry), there is a well-oiled ... Continue Reading »

More Deaths Than Births In West Virginia

Young adults are the lifeblood of a state’s future—but what happens when that lifeblood runs dry?

It’s no secret that young people are leaving West Virginia. In fact, U.S. Census Bureau data confirms we’ve now lost a higher percentage of residents than any other state in the country. And with one of the highest numbers of elderly folks in the nation, we’ve ... Continue Reading »

Congressman David McKinley: “The repeal of prevailing wage rate was based on erroneous studies.”

Transcript

“The repeal of the prevailing wage rate was based on some erroneous studies, I believe. “The idea was sold…we’re going to be able to get five schools for the price of three. That simply hasn’t happened. “People in government make mistakes all the time. The strength is recognizing that after a few years, this didn’t work. We better revisit it and correct it, ... Continue Reading »

Congressman David McKinley: “Out of town contractors don’t benefit this community.”

Transcript

“Out-of-town contractors don’t benefit this community, don’t pay into the local tax base. They go home when their project’s finished. “I want you to imagine work being done by local people depositing money in the local banks. That money stays here. It doesn’t go to Columbus, Houston, Guatemala, “The sooner we can restore prevailing wage rate across West Virginia I think the better ... Continue Reading »

Congressman David McKinley: “I always used Prevailing Wage rate because I wanted skilled labor.”

Transcript

“The prevailing wage was set up years ago. I think it was the 30’s or the 40’s and what they were trying to do was establish a fair wage based on the average wage paid to people in certain classifications, whether a carpenter, electrician, a plumber, or a laborer. So they’re trying to establish something that was fair. “I always used prevailing wage rate because I ... Continue Reading »