(Letter to the Editor - Graphic Illustration/MetroCreativeConnection)

As far as I can tell, West Virginia is still at the bottom of the states as far as hunger goes. Yes, West Virginia has a higher minimum wage than Kentucky and Pennsylvania but lower than the other surrounding states. Maybe if our legislators in Charleston would look to raise the state minimum wage and make the state worker friendly by getting rid of “Right to Work” we would not be losing population.

Also, if those in Charleston would raise the salaries of our public school educators and provide support personnel, such as counselors, nurses, psychologists, and curriculum specialists our education system would be greatly improved and our students would be able to compete in academics as well as sports.

Instead of cutting taxes, we need to hire people to work for children services. I just read in The Parkersburg News and Sentinel on Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023, that the “DHHR is implementing a $50,000 hiring rate for CPS workers in Berkeley, Jefferson, and Morgan counties to compete with neighboring Maryland and Virginia.” Don’t the kids in Wood, Wirt, etc., deserve workers who are sufficiently paid so they can protect the children? Why are only 3 counties getting this?

Who is going to benefit from getting rid of the income tax? The people who have the most money. Who will pay the most taxes? The people who have the least because the sales tax will be increased so that cities and counties can supply the necessary services – fire, police, schools, roads, etc.

Call your State Senator and Representative and let them know we do not want taxes cut but our services improved.

Margaret Meeker

Williamstown