MORGANTOWN — The candidates for the new House of Delegates 83rd District, representing northern Preston County, fielded questions on the issues from The Dominion Post Editorial Board.
Republican George Street said he aims to bring common sense to government.
“I’m a plain, straightforward, simple guy” who wants to provide straightforward, honest representation. “It’s as simple as that. … I just want to try and do my part.”
Democrat JR Wolfe said he was inspired to run because he saw how many important issues were being ignored in favor of ideological issues — such as abortion and gun control — and he hopes his candidacy will bring those issues to light.
They fielded a question on their views of the rival tax-relief plans: the Senate’s plan to eliminate the tax on business inventory, equipment and machinery, and the vehicle property tax — if Amendment 2 is approved by the voters — and the House’s and governor’s plan to cut the personal income tax.
Wolfe said of the Senate plan, “I’m totally against it.” It takes money from local government without replacing it, amounting to an unfunded mandate for such things as public education.
The income tax cut, he said, doesn’t help lower- or middle-income people.
“I don’t believe we can cut taxes without having a plan for replacing that revenue or finding places we no longer need that revenue,” he said. And there are no places left to cut; most of state government is woefully underfunded.
Street said, “I like the idea of being able to make tax cuts and leave the people with more of their money if it’s feasible.” But he doesn’t know if either of the plans is feasible, if the state can afford the cuts.
Flat-line budgets and COVID money may be artificially exasperating the surplus, he said.
“Generally speaking I’m all for tax cuts to allow working people to keep the money they make by working.” But not if it hurts the counties.
They took a question on how they would spend the spendable portion of the budget surplus — $1.3 billion last fiscal year and still growing.
Street said a portion is already earmarked. But out of what is really available, money should go to the corrections officer shortage, drug issues and rehab facilities and the education system.
Wolfe said he doesn’t believe the surplus is really that big. There are underpaid social workers in the foster care system, jail guard shortages, DOH worker shortages because of low pay, and PEIA funding issues. “We might have some money leftover but it’s because we’re not doing our job.”
In the wake of the abortion law passed during the special session, they were asked what they would do to help mothers.
Wolfe said he would increase money for agencies and programs; help prevent unwanted pregnancies and help women who get pregnant get the help they need.
“We don’t do a very good job of taking care of our babies once they get here.” The social worker shortage means the 7,000 kids in the foster care system are often subject to neglect and abuse.
Street said, “We definitely need to do more for our foster kids, foster programs,” especially with the possible increase in kids in foster care numbers under the new law.
Also, he said, adoption can be cumbersome and could use streamlining.
TWEET David Beard @dbeardtdp
EMAIL dbeard@dominionpost.com
