Solutions

Our Solutions are derived from the People!

We are still reviewing feedback from voters to finalize our platform.

Stay Tuned For Updates!

Raise the severance tax on natural gas.

Few West Virginians have ever profited from our natural resources – timber, coal, natural gas, even sand for glass-making and clay for pottery. The only benefit that stays in-state is wages. Profits go out of state, and West Virginians must live with - and die from - the costs to our land and people. Other resource-rich states and countries have taken a share of the profits from their natural resources for the benefit of the people – directly or to repair damage and provide services.

We can do this!

Treatment instead of jails for non-violent drug offenses

While we are working on fixing the causes of addiction, every person in crisis needs immediate help, in treatment not jail. We need to provide crisis stabilization centers for all mental health crises, and have enough long-term (at least 90 days) residential treatment so that everyone can go immediately when they are ready, in addition to enough out-patient treatment that it is always available. This is a service that we can pay for with the severance tax.

We can do this!

Expand access to mental health

West Virginian have a hard time getting the mental help support they need. Mental health contributes to addiction and homelessness, which cause more problems for the whole community. It is hard to get enough mental health professionals in small towns and rural areas, and traveling to get help is hard for many. Telehealth (by phone, video chat, texting) has been shown to work as well or better for counseling, and the pandemic has given professionals practice in doing this. We should use telehealth as well as expanding residential capacity.

We can do this!

Clean elections

Our legislature often passes legislation that the majority of the people oppose, and are not accountable because the campaign financing system allows corporations, out-of-state interests, and rich candidates to outspend ordinary citizens running for office or supporting candidates, and districts are laid out to favor one party. Offer public financing for all elections, cap maximum campaign donations, and end self-funding. Limit participation of lobbyists in campaigns, bar elected officials from becoming lobbyists, during or after their term, and limit out-of-state lobbying and all lobbying expenditures. Establish a non-partisan office to draw district boundaries. Restore voting rights for all West Virginians, and make voting as easy and secure as possible.

Creating a jobs program to put West Virginians to work building up our infrastructure

All West Virginians need cell phone service, high-speed Internet, clean water, sewer service, good roads, land and water that is cared for, parks and recreational facilities, health care facilities, and schools. West Virginia continues to lose population, not because a higher proportion of people leave than other states, but because fewer people move here and choose to raise families here. Investing in our infrastructure will allow businesses and services to thrive, attract people to live here and provide more needed services, and create a virtuous circle with more good-paying jobs.

Repeal “right to work”

The “right to work” is the right for people to benefit from unions without helping to pay their costs. That means that unions don’t have the resources they need to help their workers. Every worker who benefits from union representation should pay their fair share.

Protect teachers' right to strike

Our teachers sparked a movement where teachers all over the country stood up for better schools as well as better pay. West Virginia teachers and public employees can't legally strike. Only the support of the superintendents, in closing the schools, and the support of local communities allowed teachers to walk out legally. Teachers and other public employees, like all workers, need the ability to work together to improve their work places and their pay and benefits.

Term limits

No more career politicians who care more about special interests than the public's interests! The longer an official is in office, the more opportunity for corruption. Experience in office is important, but fresh ideas are, too.

Term limits: House of Delegates should serve no more than 5 terms or 10 consecutive years in office.

State Senators should serve no more than two terms or 12 consecutive years in office.

Citizen-generated referendum

Citizens need a way to override elected bodies when they have been captured by special interests. The people should be able to vote directly on important issues, and campaigns for referendums should be publicly funded, with private funding capped and limited.

Fully legalize cannabis

Cannabis has been legalized in a growing number of states, and West Virginia is missing out on both opportunities in the industry for farmers and small businesses, and benefits for users, for pain relief and a safe alternative to opioids, alcohol, and other dangerous and addictive drugs. We continue to have all the problems that come with prohibition – law enforcement costs, introducing people to criminal enterprises that are linked to more dangerous drugs and other criminal activity, drawing in criminals from out-of-state - when we could draw in tourists instead.