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The Republican Gazette welcomes Emails to the Editor and press releases. All submitted items must include the name and contact information for the author of the article, and all articles will only be published with the author's name included.Thank you for reading and participating in The Republican Gazette, another of West Virginia's most biased publications.(Press Release) Secretary of State Betty Ireland along with the Women’s Caucus of the West Virginia Legislature on Wednesday announced legislation that would create the Address Confidentiality Program (ACP). The ACP is designed to help victims of domestic violence do business with government agencies and other entities without disclosing their home addresses, which reveal their location to those who may want to cause them harm.“The Address Confidentiality Program is common sense legislation aimed at protecting victims of domestic violence when doing every day business in the state,” Secretary Ireland said. “I am happy the elected women leaders of this state and members of the state’s domestic violence coalitions joined together in this effort to stand up for victims of domestic violence.”Under the ACP, victims of domestic violence can use an address set up by the Secretary of State instead of their home addresses to conduct certain necessary business so their location cannot be revealed. The Secretary of State will forward certain mail to the participants’ actual addresses – keeping their locations completely confidential. Participants will have to go through an application process to qualify for the program. “Simple things, such as registering to vote, would normally reveal a victim’s location preventing her from exercising a citizen’s most basic right – the right to vote,” Secretary Ireland said. “The Address Confidentiality Program will enable victims of domestic violence to interact with government agencies and other entities with the assurance that their locations will not be compromised.”Employees of the Secretary of State’s Office who will administer the ACP will be subject to a criminal background check. Successful applicants will be certified participants for a period of four years.“Although it is my hope the Address Confidentiality Program will grow to be a strong and viable initiative, it pales in comparison to the strength victims of domestic violence possess to overcome their challenges,” Secretary Ireland said. The legislation will be introduced in the House of Delegates soon. Amy Shuler Goodwin invited me to speak to her Public Relations and Politics class Wednesday night at the University of Charleston, and it was a lot of fun.The class was comprised of students from around the country and even the world, and represented a diversity of background and opinion.What they all shared in common was an interest in politics and communications, and they had good questions and comments throughout the evening.Amy has obviously done a great job of injecting enthusiasm and interest among her students, and she's presenting them with a variety of speakers representing a wide array of political views. Gov. Joe Manchin's communications director, Lara Ramsburg, is scheduled to speak next week.Amy came up with a great political scenario for the students to discuss, and their responses and opinions were well thought out.Thanks to Amy for the invitation, and to all the students for making the visit enjoyable. Students like these offer hope that our future is in good hands.Longtime Associated Press statehouse reporter Larry Messina has joined the blogging world with his online offering entitled "Lincoln Walks at Midnight," which he describes as a "just-the-facts approach to politics and government," befitting the AP style.The site is informative and all-inclusive, but the most priceless part is a photo of the reporter in rare grinning form.As many people as you ask for a prediction on the ultimate outcome of the upcoming table games vote will equal the number of differing opinions you get.Taken together, though, the general consensus seems to be that the vote could be much closer than originally anticipated, and one Republican Delegate suggested Wednesday that ultimate passage -- once considered a sure bet -- may actually be in doubt.Most, though, are still predicting passage, although by a Several Republicans feel that many of their Democrat colleagues are wavering as they hear from constituents and see organized opposition begin to form.With public hearings starting today and committee meetings soon after, some Delegates are anticipating a vote on the issue as early as next week -- assuming the Dems have the votes. If not, the roll call will never be taken.