Manchin Wants to Control the Media
Date: Feb 25th, 2005 10:34:35 pm - Subscribe
Mood: jaded
Governor Joe Manchin is looking to gain more control over several state agencies including those that operate public broadcasting and the West Virginia Turnpike.
Manchin began reorganizing government during last month's special session when lawmakers approved a bill that gave the governor direct control over several boards and authorities including the state School Building Authority.
Manchin says he doesn't want any "fourth branches of government". He says there are far too many state agencies with too much autonomy.
The new bill, explained to lawmakers Thursday, would make Manchin or his designee the chairman of the Educational Broadcast Authority and Parkways Authority. The governor would also select the directors of those agencies.
Jefferson County Delegate John Doyle questions the governor's plan for public broadcasting. He says the bill makes it looks like partisan elected officials want to control news reports on PBS stations. Doyle says he doesn't believe that's Manchin's intentions, but he says some may think it is.
Doyle says several years ago the Educational Broadcast Authority streamlined at the request of the legislature and now it looks like the agency is being punished for being efficient.
Manchin's policy director Brian Kastick says the governor doesn't want to control the content of PBS stations he just wants to reorganize state government to fit his management style.
--- WV Metro News
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