The Appalachian News-Express has hit State Rep. Keith Hall again. This time in a scathing editorial about shirking his elected responsibilities and duties to watch basketball games in Florida.

Choice excerpts:

If a vote is cast in Florida, will anyone hear it?

W. Keith Hall has dropped the ball, and in a big way.

After it was found the 93rd District state representative played hooky from the state House on March 12 and 13, to take his family to the SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament in Tampa, Fla., he said he took the trip only after having been told, “not a lot’s going to happen.”

-SNIP-

The members of the legislature are not gathered in Frankfort to simply push a “yea” or “nay” button, then go home. Hall and his fellow elected representatives are in Frankfort to discuss, confer and negotiate to gain support for measures which will positively impact the Commonwealth and their home areas.

This week, Hall lamented the fact that HB 433, a measure which would amend the state budget, and may result in a new elementary school for his home area of Phelps, had not yet passed.

Despite what Hall painted as a legislative impasse, the only sure thing is that Hall’s absence guaranteed the people he represents had no voice in the House on that issue or any other issue which impacted them.

-SNIP-

In January, this newspaper asked Hall his opinion on the role of Eastern Kentucky legislators now that much of the House leadership is made up of representatives of areas east of the Winchester Wall.

“We have a chance,” he said. “The mountain boys and girls have a chance to be the saviors of this state the next two years. And if we fail, we could be the goats.”

If his fellow Eastern legislators follow his lead, they are likely to be in the barnyard two years from now. And, if Hall continues in his cavalier attitude toward both the state House and his constituents, he may find himself there sooner.

Ouch.

If you have access to the online edition or can pick up a copy of the paper, make sure to give it a read. It’s nice that eastern Kentucky newspapers are holding their elected officials accountable as our statewide newspapers die a saddening death.