Action Alert

September 12, 2002

The Mother of All Budget Digests!

As you may have read last week, WV-CAG filed a lawsuit against the WV Economic Development Grant Committee. By starting these legal proceedings, WV-CAG is furthering its tradition of opposing corporate welfare and challenging the state’s historical practice of giving taxpayer-funded breaks to private enterprises. Key questions involving separation of powers and violation of process are also included in the suit.

The most publicized action of the Economic Grant Committee is promised funding to the Wheeling Mall of $70 million. This funding was allocated before any rules and regulations were officially approved by the Committee. Additionally, House Speaker Kiss and Senate President Tomblin are responsible for the appointment of 6 of the 9 members of the Committee. WV-CAG believes that this imbalance of power, swayed toward southern West Virginia, politically rigs any sort of open process that may have existed within the Committee.

We anticipate that the lawsuit will be heard before Kanawha County Circuit Judge King next week and would appreciate a show of support in the courtroom! We will e-mail you with further details as they become available….

Linda Mallet
WV-Citizen Action Group
1500 Dixie St., Charleston, WV 25311
304-346-5891 (phone); 304-346-8981 (fax)