A Marshall University professor told a federal grand jury today that West Virginia Treasurer John Perdue and his wife both made sure she knew they were state officials when they contacted her on behalf of their daughter.

“Prosecutors nor the FBI will say whether they’re investigating the matter. But Joseph Ciccarelli, the FBI’s senior resident agent in Huntington, said Monday that any probe would focus on whether a public official did something a regular citizen could not because of their office.”

John Perdue thought he was Governor Joe Manchin when he contacted Marshall University about his daughter’s grades. Unfortunately, Perdue’s actions will likely hurt his 2012 campaign for Governor, which never really had any hope. This controversy pretty much extinguishes any possibility he will be the Democrat nominee in 2012.

State Senator Brooks McCabe is the newest name in a long list of possible Democratic candidates for Governor in 2012. The rumor was confirmed by Charleston lawyer Tom Heywood.
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Governor Joe Manchin

Governor Joe Manchin and West Virginia Democrats are quietly pushing a gas tax on the residence of West Virginia. The Governor’s proposal will stop a scheduled reduction in the gas tax in 2010 and completely remove a 5-cent reduction in the tax in 2013.

The West Virginia Legislature is considering legislation (HB 404 and SB 4004) which the Governor proposed to establish a floor on the portion of the gasoline tax which readjusts on a annual basis.

The Charleston Gazette explains the gas tax very well…

“The gas tax is a combination of a base rate of 20.5 cents a gallon and a rate equal to 5 percent of the average wholesale price of gasoline for the previous July-October.”

“That part of the gas tax currently is set at 11.7 cents a gallon. However, because of low gas prices this year, that tax rate is poised to adjust downward by about 3 cents a gallon on Jan. 1.”

“Under the proposed legislation, the adjustable portion of the gas tax could not drop below the current 11.7-cent a gallon level.”

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Federal prosecutors have subpoenaed Marshall University’s provost and the professor at the center of the grade changing scandal involving the daughter of Democrat State Treasurer John Perdue.
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I was hesitant about writing something because Jeff Kessler will never be Governor of the State of West Virginia, but it’s worth noting what he said. Personal injury ambulance chasing lawyer Jeff Kessler defends socialism and big government on the street of Wheeling!

Wheeling News-Register reporting…

“Among those standing alongside supporters was state Sen. Jeff Kessler, D-Marshall, also an expected candidate for governor in 2012.”

“Addressing those present, Kessler said federal government has “a moral obligation” to provide health care to its citizens, and he promised that a federal health care bill would be signed into law before the year is over.”

“Kessler noted that “everyone has a right to free speech” and directed his next words to those across the street.”
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There has been much speculation on the political ambitions of Governor Joe Manchin upon completing his final term as governor.

West Virginia politicos and Charleston insiders often speak about the possibility of Manchin replacing Senator Byrd in Washington.

These conversations often bring up questions about who would be appointed to complete an open Byrd seat and if Manchin would resign and seek the seat himself if a vacancy occurred before the end of his term as governor.

The speculation about possible replacements grew more intriguing last week with the announcement that Nick Casey had been nominated to the federal bench for the Northern District of West Virginia.
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The Charleston and Huntington news cycles have been full in recent days with news that State Treasurer John Perdue’s daughter may have received special treatment at Marshall University.
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I’ve been really impressed with the editorials coming out of the Martinsburg Journal-News recently. Yesterday, the Journal had a good editorial on the Governor’s pay raise for public employees, which died during the most recent special session of the Legislature.

Many people believe the pay raise fell victim to a 2012 campaign for governor which is already heating up as House Speaker Rick Thompson and Senate President Earl Ray Tomblin are both rumored to be planning runs for the governorship or some other statewide office in 2012.
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West Virginia Senate President Earl Ray Tomblin, D-Logan, may want to be governor of the state, but he’s going to have to answer questions as to his connections to gambling and lobbyists.

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Hoppy Kercheval of West Virginia MetroNews recently wrote about the options of current Supreme Court Justice Robin Davis. Judging from the tone of this interview, Justice Robin Davis is looking for another opportunity to serve the people of West Virginia.
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The Charleston Daily Mail is reporting that Sedgewick Claims Management Services, a company that is owed more than a $1 million by the State of West Virginia, is demanding to be paid money that is due to them.

However, West Virginia Auditor Glen Gainer says the state doesn’t owe the company anything. The Auditor’s office was the target of a scam in which it transferred over $2 million to bogus accounts.
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Jeff Kessler, Democrat candidate for Governor in 2012, now has a website.  View it here.

• Jeff Kessler is also active on Twitter using the I.D.: @jeffkessler4gov