(Editorial - Graphic Illustration - MetroCreativeConnection)

A couple of state senators spoke in preparation for this weekend’s interim committee meetings and site tours at Canaan Valley State Park about what they hope to see addressed by the state and their colleagues.

Both Sens. Joey Garcia, D-Marion, and Jay Taylor, R-Taylor, told WV MetroNews they are hoping for work toward reform of the state’s Child Protective Services system. Garcia focused on funding; Taylor wants an environment where lawmakers feel comfortable asking the questions to which they really need the answers — and people feel free to answer honestly, so lawmakers can start to solve the problem.

“Yes, we have to protect privacy, but we also have to be able to find out what kind of accountability and transparency there is so we make sure everything is happening directly,” Taylor told MetroNews.

Politicians who kept Raylee’s Law from passing last year must surely by now be ashamed enough of themselves to want to correct the error. Garcia was right to keep talking about that, too.

“It doesn’t affect homeschoolers that are doing the right thing … the majority of families,” Garcia said. “So, we have to get past this B.S. politics and do what’s right to help protect kids.”

While it is clear getting Gov. Patrick Morrisey on board will be necessary to get done the work that MUST be done for West Virginia’s most vulnerable children, Garcia and Taylor know their efforts will be stronger if lawmakers can (mostly) agree on the importance of proper funding and support, and stop playing filthy political games with those children’s lives.

“It takes money, and anyone who says otherwise I think does not understand the problem and expects it to change without doing the work, and part of that work is budgeting appropriately,” Garcia told MetroNews.

Have an honest discussion, set aside the dangerous socio-cultural absurdities, and understand nothing is going to change without SOME buy-in. Garcia and Taylor may be setting their sights a little high ahead of summer committee meetings, but they must maintain that focus — and hope it is contagious — heading into next winter.