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Concrete Ideas Needed in W.Va.

On Tuesday, the two leading candidates for governor of West Virginia will meet in a televised debate. Preparing for it cannot be a pleasant exercise, in view of the economic dilemma in which state government and many Mountain State residents find ourselves.

No doubt many of the questions asked of Republican Bill Cole, who is president of the state Senate; and Democrat Jim Justice, the billionaire businessman, will focus on the economy. They certainly should.

Just this week, there was more bad news: Fitch Ratings, a major credit rating agency, downgraded its estimate of West Virginia’s creditworthiness. The state’s bond rating has been dropped from AA-plus to AA.

Fitch, the second major ratings firm to take such action recently, reported uncertainty in the state’s economy. Factors beyond our control, including the collapse in the coal industry, were cited. Fitch also noted low prices for natural gas and lack of pipeline capacity to ship what we can produce.

Also this week, West Virginia University researchers reported the state’s economy continues to recover from the “Great Recession” — but very slowly.

Our next governor and legislators will have to concentrate on getting state finances back on an even keel even as they try to boost the economy in general. The state’s general fund budget for the current fiscal year has a $350 million hole in it.

Some politicians rely on grandiose but vague promises to solve every problem and seize every opportunity. Trust me and everything will be all right, they say.

Too often, voters swallow that hook, line and sinker.

Which will it be during Tuesday’s debate and the few weeks remaining before the Nov. 8 election? Promises or programs?

Dodging details just will not do this time around. It is imperative that West Virginia voters select the best person available for governor. Doing that will require hearing specific, detailed, realistic proposals from the candidates. Those unable to provide them do not merit serious consideration.

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