The Charleston Gazette, W.Va., Phil Kabler column.

(From McClatchy-Tribune Regional News - The Charleston Gazette, W.Va)

Byline: Phil Kabler

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Now that Southern Legislative Conference has come and gone, I can only hope that when it returns to Charleston again in 15 years, I can say, yep, I used to cover those conferences before I retired ...

The Legislature raised at least $435,000 in corporate sponsorships to offset the costs of hosting the four-day event.

It had one $50,000 sponsor, that being the state Division of Tourism. (Normally, one would think a conference drawing visitors from 13 other states would be a good place to promote West Virginia tourism, but can we get these legislators to go back to their home states and encourage their constituents to vacation in West Virginia?)

There were three $25,000 sponsors: American Electric Power, …