Delegate Nancy Guthrie, 30th District

This week Ms. Leah Devine a Spanish and Basic Skills Teacher from East Bank Middle School in Eastern Kanawha County rallied her students to teach them about the Legislative process with a focus on the WV Beverage Container Recycling and Litter Control Act contained in SB135 and HB 2773.

These sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students studied the legislation and discussed the main points of the Bottle Bill, formed their opinions through class discussion, and then forwarded on their findings and positions to legislators.

Thirty three letters were sent in all. Twenty six, sixth and eighth grade students are in favor of the bill and 7 students opposed the bill. As a result of this one joint civics project the students are well versed and believe this kind of legislation if enacted will help create jobs and make their community more attractive.

The company interested in bringing this industry to West Virginia – NexCycle of California - wants West Virginia to grant them no special tax breaks, no corporate subsidies and no special treatment. They just need the legal framework to begin operation. The business has been up and running in California since 1986. NexCycle estimates the creation of over 200 green West Virginia jobs and believe they can make this new industry of the future profitable here just as it has been in California.

So thank you East Bank Middle School students and Ms.Devine for taking your time to engage in a public policy discussion that speaks directly to the environment we intend to leave to your generation. My hat is off to you. You are my Junior Genius’ award winners for the week.

To read a sample of the opinions submitted by East Bank Middle School 6th and 8th graders, visit the Junior Genius Corner.