West Virginia Blue
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One of the winners from Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin's election to governor was fellow gubernatorial candidate Jeff Kessler who'll remove the acting Senate President from his title, according to the AP's Lawrence Messina:
West Virginia senators appear likely to name Marshall County Democrat Jeff Kessler as their new president.
Kessler emerged from a Monday closed-door party meeting with enough backing to succeed Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin in that legislative post. Sens. Brooks McCabe, D-Kanawha, and Mike Green, D-Raleigh, had also sought the Senate presidency.
Tomblin resigned as Senate president Sunday to take the office he won in October's special gubernatorial election.
This evening, I headed over the University of Charleston, where I work, for a candidate forum hosted by President Ed Welch. Three of the Democratic candidates attended the debate: Jeff Kessler, John Perdue, and Natalie Tennant. I was disappointed that Early Ray Tomblin and Rick Thompson did not decide to do so.
Met Acting Senate President Jeff Kessler tonight as he does a swing through the Eastern Panhandle. His day began at 4 a.m., and he was still meeting with folks when I left him at 9:30 p.m. We've got an impressive group of Democrats running for governor and he would do a fine job if elected.
Sometimes I don't comment on issues because they don't interest me and sometimes I don't comment because I don't have the time and sometimes I don't comment because I don't know what to say.
Here's what the five major Democratic primary candidates running in the West Virginia WV-GOV special election have to say about energy. There's a lot of overlap with what they have to say about jobs.
I wanted to also include what was said about also cleaning up our atmosphere and protecting our natural resource wealth... but, there's nothing said.
Earl Ray Tomblin
West Virginia is, and, if I have anything to do with it, always will be an energy leader for our country. Our resources are plentiful, and our workers are dedicated to providing the energy that our country needs.
Our coal helped produce the steel that built this nation. And our coal provides over half of the nation's energy. With advances in technology, coal is burned cleaner now than ever before. If we invest in research and upgrades and technology, we can keep using coal for decades.
There are some who want to turn their backs on coal - not me. It is pretty simple: we can either be beholden to the Middle East and its huge oil deposits or we can find ways to use the natural resources that lie right beneath us here at home. I will fight every day to strengthen our coal economy.
And the possibilities that West Virginia has with natural gas are virtually unlimited. If we do it in an environmentally responsible manner, the drilling of oil and natural gas in West Virginia can create jobs, heat our homes, fuel our cars, and restart the manufacturing sector.
Can you imagine a West Virginia that is once again a manufacturing hub of America? I believe it can happen. The continued expansion of natural gas exploration in West Virginia can fuel a whole new energy economy, and I will go anywhere and do anything to create these jobs right here at home.
Natalie Tennant
As Governor, I will make West Virginia the national leader in energy - coal, natural gas and alternative energy. West Virginia can lead the 21st century with an energy policy that sets the pace for how our nation does business - and we can create those jobs right here at home while doing it. But this won't happen if we do things the same old way.
• Coal is critical to the U.S. economy. We will continue our commitment to coal while also investing in the coal industry of the future. We can lead the world in researching, developing, and testing new technologies.
• We can be the national test bed for cutting-edge clean coal technologies. If there is a new technology that makes West Virginia coal cleaner, more efficient, and more affordable, let's pioneer it in West Virginia.
• Marcellus Shale offers West Virginia a great opportunity to create thousands of new jobs and provide increased revenue for our communities. By managing this new resource responsibly we can build a new energy economy and world-class education system.
• But let's not stop at coal and natural gas. We can take the lead in powering our nation long into the future by investing in a true alternative energy industry now.
Tennant outlined the potential economic boon from responsible shale development that could provide improvements for some of West Virginia's most important priorities. "The extraction and transportation of our natural gas is a major project that will create good-paying jobs that should go to local workers throughout the state," said Tennant. "Responsible development of the Marcellus Shale can provide resources for advancing education and investing in research and development. Despite the differences in the House and Senate bills, allowing job creating legislation to die in the final hours of the session shows a severe lack of leadership."
Some of the differences in the House and Senate proposals included the distance drillers would have to maintain from water wells and homes, the notice provided to landowners, and the number of inspectors necessary to adequately monitor drilling. The bills also covered development issues such as protection of private property rights, environmental regulations, and permit fees.
"We cannot afford to wait another year. Landowners and businesses must have certainty now," Tennant continued. "West Virginia has a tremendous opportunity to create jobs through innovation in the energy sector, and we have an obligation to take control of our natural resources to push our state ahead," said Tennant. "It is time to confront these issues so that hard-working West Virginians can benefit from this vast energy resource."
John D. Perdue
West Virginia has the ability to reap more than $6 billion from the Marcellus Shale. I support a plan to return a portion of those proceeds directly to state taxpayers either through a tax break or a dividend check similar to what is done in Alaska.
State Treasurer John Perdue says a moratorium needs to be placed on utility rate increases for customers of Appalachian Power and Wheeling Power in West Virginia.
"These bills just keep going up and up," Perdue, a Democrat gubernatorial candidate, said on Wednesday's MetroNews Talkline.
"I think it's one of the most important issues in this election, that our people are suffering. Our small businesses are suffering and, if we want economic development, let's all work together."
Rick Thompson
Energy
One of the reasons West Virginia is in such good economic shape relative to the rest of the country is that we're an energy state. Rick understands that clean coal technology and coal gasification are important to supporting markets for West Virginia coal.
In addition to coal, West Virginia sits atop a virtual gold mine in natural gas in the form of Marcellus Shale. These formations hold literally billions of dollars in as yet untapped resources. As Governor, Rick will push for the responsible development of these resources in order create jobs and opportunity for West Virginia companies and workers.
In 1952, six months before his second son would be born, Richard Thompson died in a coalmine accident near Fort Gay, West Virginia. He left his unborn son his name, the only photo of himself and his wife, which was in his wallet, and a lifelong respect for the men who mine coal. The newspaper report said that Rick Thompson was "about 27 years old," and speculated that a piece of slate fell from the roof and knocked his carbide lamp into a can of blasting powder, causing an explosion. The story did not mention that his older brother was with him when he died. Mining is always a family business.
Thompson says, "There's a mindset to hold on to what you have instead of moving forward, and someone needs to break that thinking and set an agenda." His agenda is straightforward - forming a vision for what West Virginia will look like fifty years in the future, from the state's education system to its industry and infrastructure. "We've been coal, and though there's plenty of it left, there is plenty more to West Virginia. We have the location, the resources, and the people. If we can look beyond coal and put politics aside, we will be uniquely positioned as an epicenter for America's future growth and opportunity."
Jeff Kessler
Energy is the cornerstone of West Virginia's economy. For more than 100 years, West Virginia coal has kept the lights on, fueling our nation. We must recognize that coal will remain a vital part of our energy portfolio. As Governor, I will be committed to developing clean coal technologies and making sure mining is as safe as possible.
West Virginia's energy future is so much more than coal. The vast amount of natural gas in the Marcellus shale provides boundless economic opportunities for this state. Drilling for natural gas in the Marcellus shale has already created 3,000 new jobs, and economists predict tens of thousands more jobs can be created in our state. As Governor, I will be committed to ensuring that West Virginians will have the training and skills to be hired in those positions.
Further, I am committed to making sure West Virginia benefits for providing the nation with such abundant resources. Specifically, I am proposing the West Virginia Future Fund, a 25% endowment fund on the severance tax collected from natural gas so that money can be saved and invested in West Virginia's future. This endowment money can be used to ensure that by 2020 West Virginia's education system is the best in the nation. Additionally, our Future Fund will permit us to diversify our economy and permit us to provide tax relief to our citizens and business.
What do the 5 major Democratic primary candidates running for WV Governor have to say about jobs on their campaign websites?
Jeff Kessler
Drilling for natural gas in the Marcellus shale has already created 3,000 new jobs, and economists predict tens of thousands more jobs can be created in our state. As Governor, I will be committed to ensuring that West Virginians will have the training and skills to be hired in those positions.
Further, I am committed to making sure West Virginia benefits for providing the nation with such abundant resources. Specifically, I am proposing the West Virginia Future Fund, a 25% endowment fund on the severance tax collected from natural gas so that money can be saved and invested in West Virginia's future. This endowment money can be used to ensure that by 2020 West Virginia's education system is the best in the nation. Additionally, our Future Fund will permit us to diversify our economy and permit us to provide tax relief to our citizens and business.
Creating jobs and boosting economic development have also been cornerstones of my legislative agenda. I sponsored the Economic Development Grant Committee and tax increment financing legislation that led to the Cabelas project in Wheeling, Power Alley Park in Charleston, Pullman Square in Huntington, new schools in the eastern Panhandle, and the Rockefeller Neurosciences Institute in Morgantown. I also helped draft West Virginia's medical malpractice law and Workers Compensation reform legislation.
John D. Perdue
Small businesses are struggling because the big banks and Wall Street have choked off credit to small businesses. I will propose creating a Small Business Bank and seeding it with $50 million from the state and a similar amount through inducing private institutions and investors to participate. The bank should be managed by an independent board of experienced professionals who are insulated from political influence. This bank can be a job creating engine for West Virginia.
West Virginia has the ability to reap more than $6 billion from the Marcellus Shale. I support a plan to return a portion of those proceeds directly to state taxpayers either through a tax break or a dividend check similar to what is done in Alaska
Natalie Tennant
We will tear down the rules of the old economy and build the strongest, smartest infrastructure possible for the new economy of West Virginia. We don't have to do things the same old way. West Virginians deserve better. When I became Secretary of State, I didn't just settle for seeing things done the same old, wrong way. I saw that our businesses were struggling so I cut the unnecessary red tape to make it easier for small business owners to do what they do best - make money and create jobs.
• We will get our people back to work in jobs with dignity and a good wage. I will fight every day to make sure West Virginia is the best place in the country to do business whether you're a small business or a large manufacturer. We have the best workers from Marion County, to McDowell, to Morgan County and they deserve the best jobs.
• We will be aggressive in moving our economy forward by investing in biosciences, research and development, innovation for long-term technological advancement.
• We will expand Internet broadband access to all corners of West Virginia, using the federal stimulus funds that have already been allocated for this effort. Empowering our businesses to use the Internet is critical to West Virginia leading in the 21st Century economy.
• We will continue our commitment to an energy-based economy and our coal and natural gas industries. We will also look to innovation to keep our economy moving forward by investing in clean coal technologies and other alternative energy sources.
• We will ensure our small businesses stay in the business of doing business by opening up lines of credit, cutting red tape and training our entrepreneurs to use technology to spur new ideas and grow their business.
• We will reignite our tourism efforts through new branding of West Virginia. We can bring more vacationers to West Virginia and create jobs.
The largest division Tennant oversees as Secretary of State is business and licensing. The work she does there is vital to the economy of West Virginia and literally keeps businesses running. As a small business owner herself, Tennant knows the importance of ensuring that business in West Virginia thrives. Tennant has made efficiency, access, and cutting red tape hallmarks of her tenure as Secretary. In 2010, as the result of Tennant's commitment to making the Secretary of State's Office more business friendly, the number of online filings nearly doubled to more than 16,000.
Rick Thompson
West Virginia businesses need a level playing field on which to compete. That's why Rick Thompson led the fight to cut $235 million from business taxes over the last five years. As Governor, he'll continue to roll back taxes that put West Virginia companies at an economic disadvantage to their competitors in other states.
Experts agree that Fortune 500 companies will not create the majority of new jobs, but rather, small to mid sized businesses. As Governor, Rick will refocus our economic development on supporting the expansion of existing West Virginia businesses, as well as attracting high tech, high wage jobs in the energy and technology sectors.
In the past, West Virginia industries competed for business with other companies within our region. Today, they compete with businesses and industries around the globe. As Governor, Rick will propose the creation of a West Virginia World Trade Center to help West Virginia businesses expand operations internationally and increase import/export potential. Such a center could provide one-stop shopping for international trade, particularly in the mining and energy sectors, within our state.
Tax rebates and other incentives are powerful tools for attracting and expanding businesses, and West Virginia already has many such programs. As Governor, Rick will begin a top to bottom assessment of these economic incentives to determine which programs are working and which are not. In addition, he'll make sure such incentives are linked to performance standards, so that if companies don't deliver, they'll be required to repay the incentive amount fronted by West Virginia taxpayers.
One of the first actions taken up by the new House was abolishing the business franchise tax by responsibly phasing it out, which Thompson had always viewed as unfair. At the same time, he ended an anti-worker trend, which had developed in the previous years. By all accounts, the House of Delegates changed from a place of bickering where legislation went to die, to a body that shaped policy and set a direction.
Today, Rick Thompson is running for Governor. He doesn't need a job, and he would rather spend his Saturday mornings bow-hunting than giving speeches. (When he does give a speech, he's often asked to follow it with his guitar and a song.) Those who work in the Capital know that Rick Thompson lacks the ego and the desire for power, too often present in politics today. His vision for the office is one of responsibility and service. More than anyone else, Speaker Thompson has dealt with the diverse and often-competing agendas brought to Charleston from across the state and has proven that he can find a balance and build consensus.
Thompson says, "There's a mindset to hold on to what you have instead of moving forward, and someone needs to break that thinking and set an agenda." His agenda is straightforward - forming a vision for what West Virginia will look like fifty years in the future, from the state's education system to its industry and infrastructure. "We've been coal, and though there's plenty of it left, there is plenty more to West Virginia. We have the location, the resources, and the people. If we can look beyond coal and put politics aside, we will be uniquely positioned as an epicenter for America's future growth and opportunity."
Earl Ray Tomblin
We can accomplish great things in West Virginia. The building blocks are in place for unprecedented prosperity and job growth. I believe we can make changes in our government that will help the private sector to create jobs.
I have spent my entire public life making government a partner with the private sector to attract new industry to West Virginia, and building bridges between business and labor to create jobs. As Governor, I'll make jobs my number one priority. I will go anywhere, do anything, and spend every waking moment focused on expanding the number of good jobs for the people of our State.
We have a natural advantage here in West Virginia - we have the hardest working, most dedicated workforce in the world. Now is our time.
Now is our time to promote West Virginia as a great place to do business. Companies like Toyota, Hino, Coldwater Creek, and Macy's believe in West Virginia. And if we believe in ourselves, it's just the tip of the iceberg. Now is our time to make sure that government does not throttle job creation - but instead enables it. As Governor, I'll fight for lower taxes, fair and reasonable regulation, and schools that are second to none in preparing our children to compete and win in the world economy.
If we keep our focus - on jobs - everything else will fall into place.
I go to work every day thinking about how to create jobs, ready to fight for opportunities for you and your family. Is there something else we should be doing to create jobs? Let me know - I won't leave a single stone unturned.
Growing up, Earl Ray sold eggs and rabbits, bussed tables, and mowed lawns. He went to WVU, and was elected the youngest member of the State House of Delegates. He bought a local restaurant, worked nights until closing, helped on the family farm in the morning and spent days as a legislator for Logan County.
No wonder Earl Ray understands the importance of good paying jobs and encouraging private sector growth. That's what his whole life has been about.
As a public servant he has made government a partner with the private sector to attract new jobs and industry to West Virginia.
The West Virginia Supreme Court on Friday agreed to hear a lawsuit challenging whether Senate President Earl Ray Tomblin, D-Logan, is legally entitled to draw the salary of governor while acting in that capacity. On Friday, the court accepted a petition filed earlier in the day by New Martinsville lawyer H. John Rogers, on behalf of a group he identifies as The Christian Patriotic Front. In his petition, Rogers argues it is unconstitutional for Tomblin to draw the $150,000 salary of governor, since the state constitution provides that he is merely to act as governor when necessary while there is a vacancy in that office.
"In our process, it was not an easy choice because we have a lot of good friends in [the race]," said state AFL-CIO President Kenny Perdue. The endorsement required a two-thirds majority of votes.
Among other issues, the union asked candidates about where they stand on collective bargaining, mine safety, education, Marcellus Shale development, privatization of state agencies, prevailing wage and whether they support allowing public employees to run for office, Perdue said.
State Treasurer John Perdue says a moratorium needs to be placed on utility rate increases for customers of Appalachian Power and Wheeling Power in West Virginia."These bills just keep going up and up," Perdue, a Democrat gubernatorial candidate, said on Wednesday's MetroNews Talkline. "I think it's one of the most important issues in this election, that our people are suffering. Our small businesses are suffering and, if we want economic development, let's all work together."
Legislation pertaining to Marcellus Shale drilling regulations, texting while driving and managing the state's pension debts failed to come to vote in West Virginia House of Delegates during the recent regular session of the West Virginia Legislature, and state Sen. Jeff Kessler suspects special election year politics may have been the reason. "I would like to say 'no,' but I suspect the failure of some bills to move may have been the result of political jockeying," Kessler acknowledged. "Some things may not have moved as they should because of concerns of things politically motivated.
House Speaker Rick Thompson scored the endorsements of the state's two teachers unions on Tuesday. Such key endorsements may have a heightened effect this year, with a crowded field of candidates vying for nominations in the May 14 special primary. The victors may be determined by narrow margins. The West Virginia chapter of the American Federation of Teachers and the West Virginia Education Association made a joint announcement at a press conference at Thompson's campaign headquarters on MacCorkle Avenue in Kanawha City. Union leaders said it was the first time their groups had agreed on a primary candidate for governor.
...
If last year's special primary election for Robert Byrd's U.S. Senate seat is any indication, turnout for the special gubernatorial primary could be light. About 12 percent - 149,000 - of the state's 1.2 million registered voters showed up to vote on that Saturday last August. If the same number were to vote in the May 14 primary, one of the six Democratic candidates could win with just 16,000 votes. A Republican might need only 7,000 votes to win that party's nomination.
That could make support from the 30,000-member teachers unions a key factor. Hale said Tuesday that not since Gaston Caperton's first primary election in 1988 has a candidate won the Democratic nomination without the support of the AFT.
Jeff Kessler hopes a bill that would provide an additional $4 million a year to coal-producing counties will be considered by state legislators next month. Kessler, D-Marshall, who is acting Senate president, said there was not enough time Saturday for legislators to work out details of the coal severance bill, known as Senate Bill 242. He said the bill could help other counties that may produce coal in the future. For example, in Ohio County, the Tunnel Ridge mine is starting up.
In the absence of new natural gas drilling regulations, acting Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin wants legislators to provide more funding for industry oversight. Acting Senate President Jeff Kessler, D-Marshall, is skeptical though, since any new inspectors hired by the Department of Environmental Protection would have no new rules to enforce.
"Having boots on the ground and inspectors in the field is the first step in guaranteeing that Marcellus Shale wells are being drilled in an environmentally responsible manner," Tomblin said Tuesday. "A reasonable, predictable regulatory environment is important not only to our citizens, but also to those companies who are investing millions of dollars into our economy."
Two of the Democratic candidates for governor have voiced their support for legislation which would outlaw discrimination based on sexual orientation.
At a press conference Monday, acting Senate President Jeff Kessler joined Sam Hall, a miner who described on-the-job harassment he says he endured at a Massey Energy mine.
"If the labor laws would have been amended earlier to contain sexual orientation discrimination, myself as well as other gay West Virginians would not have to endure such demeaning and inexcusable behavior from employers and employees at the workplace," Hall said.
Acting Senate President Jeff Kessler is thinking outside the box about West Virginia's natural resources. Kessler's natural gas proposal would have the State hold back a quarter of the severance tax dollars stemming from the production of Marcellus Shale. This money would be placed into an interest-bearing special revenue account and could be used for the State's long term liabilities, economic diversification, and improvements to our crumbling infrastructure in the decades to come.
I think a candidate like Kessler is the State's best hope of bucking the trend of absentee robber barons exploiting the State for our natural resources. I hope they tax the hell out of this natural gas and increase the severance tax on coal as well. This is our land and we need to make sure that our resources are extracted in a way that do not destroy our communities; put our workers at risk; and once extracted, benefit our citizens for generations to come.
West Virginia is one step closer to a meaningful reform of the State's ethics laws. Last year the House passed the ethics reform legislation but the bill did not make it out of the Senate. Senator Klempa, who supported the bill last year in the House is quoted in the Gazette:
As politicians, I believe we ought to walk around with NASCAR uniforms, so everybody knows who our sponsors are.
A great deal of credit should be given to House Speaker Rick Thompson and Acting Senate President Jeff Kessler's Judiciary team for pushing the bill through the process. The State should not stop here. Democrat or Republican, cleaning up WV politics should be a priority for all of us.
According to the Center for Public Integrity, who ranked WV poorly in a 2008 grading of State ethics laws, states on their website:
If the bill passes the state senate and becomes law, West Virginia, which failed our survey last year with only 45 points, could potentially move up the ranks to number 26 on the list, tying with Florida. Despite the significant jump, however, the state would still receive a D grade from the Center, mostly due to a complete lack of client and real property ownership information from legislators, neither of which seem to be addressed in the current proposal.
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