State Sen. Ryan Weld, R-Brooke, didn’t mince words Monday when his colleagues voted to try to wrest more control of local decision-making from municipalities across the state.

“This is dumb,” he said. “Where is this a problem that we have to address?”

That’s because there are none. But some lawmakers are so bothered that cities operating under the Municipal Home Rule Program are not entirely under state government’s thumb that they voted in favor of Senate Bill 579. The bill would amend state code to make all municipal non-discrimination ordinances that recognize additional classes of persons not already listed for protection within the state Human Rights Act void and unenforceable.

Wheeling City Council passed such an ordinance in 2017.

“The purpose of Senate Bill 579 is to prohibit municipalities participating in the Home Rule program from establishing additional protected classes of persons beyond what is designated in state statute today,” said Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Mike Stuart, R-Kanawha.

A joint letter was written by 44 current and former municipal mayors and council members opposing this attempt to pull more power and control to Charleston.

“Local governance is a cornerstone of our democracy, allowing communities to make decisions that reflect their values and priorities,” the municipal leaders wrote. “Each of our cities and towns adopted fairness laws through thoughtful deliberation, often with bipartisan support, to foster inclusive and welcoming environments for residents, businesses, and visitors alike. Overturning these protections would disregard the will of our constituents and undermine the ability of local governments to respond to the needs of their communities.”

State Sens. Donna Boley, R-Pleasants; Charles Clements, R-Wetzel; Joey Garcia, D-Marion; Bill Hamilton, R-Upshur; Michael Oliverio, R-Monongalia; Tom Takubo, R-Kanawha; Weld; and Michael Woelfel, D-Cabell, are to be commended for understanding that and voting no on SB 579.

But now the bill is headed over to the House. It will be up to that body to remember their job is not to garner as much control as possible, but to keep government out of the way.