(Editorial - Graphic Illustration - MetroCreativeConnection)

A group of lawmakers who repeatedly try to earn cheap political points by talking about how precious West Virginia children are to them showed their true colors Saturday in ugly fashion.

Legislators had a chance to pass House Bill 5537 — Raylee’s Law, which would have prohibited county boards of education from approving a request for home school instruction for an enrolled public school if there is a pending child abuse or neglect investigation against that child’s parent or guardian.

There is already proof the law is necessary. Raylee Browning died in 2018 as a result of child abuse after her father pulled her out of public school.

But knowing that — knowing they could have helped Raylee’s death not to have been in vain and saved other children’s lives — politicians played filthy tricks to keep it from coming to fruition. They waited until they knew it was too late to do so in a way that would allow the bill to pass, and THEN offered multiple amendments to stall the bill long enough to kill it.

“If we amend this bill or change it in any way, this bill dies tonight. which I do think is probably the outcome that some in this room want,” said Del. Elliott Pritt, R-Fayette. “That’s fine, that’s their prerogative, I respect that. But what I can’t respect … is that we have a moment here to do something to protect children that are in harm’s way. That is a fact, and I’m very sorry if that fact is very uncomfortable for some of you to deal with.”

House Minority Whip Shawn Fluharty, D-Ohio, has been trying for years to get Raylee’s Law passed. But there are always excuses and tricks; always something that allows lawmakers to avoid an opportunity to help the children they pretend they want to stand up for.

Fluharty was rightly livid at the last-minute obstacles.

“This is abhorrent behavior. Disgusting government,” he said.

He let them off easy.

Lawmakers who feigned indignation at being called out should remember they are being watched by an entire state filled with voters. Those voters understand their elected representatives who claim they believe the bill was flawed had ample opportunity to address those concerns earlier.

No doubt someone else will take up the charge to get Raylee’s Law implemented next time around. Until then, we must pray no other child pays the price for politicians’ reprehensible political games.