2020 WV Governor's race: on Budget & Economy
Ben Salango:
State has yet to spend most of CARES Act money
Justice said West Virginia has received a high rating in how it has allocated $1.2 billion in CARES Act money provided by Congress in June to respond to issues created by COVID-19.
Salango said West Virginia had received a pat on a back as to how it allocated the money, not on how it actually had spent the money. He pointed out that of $1.2 billion sent to the state in March, $1 billion of the money has not been spent.
Source: Charleston Gazette-Mail: 2020 West Virginia Governor debate
Oct 13, 2020
Ron Stollings:
Promote economic growth during coronavirus pandemic
Stollings said the state's cuts to public health departments are proving to be costly during the pandemic. He said the governor should be focused on effectively allocating federal resources that will be offered to the state government. "I think
the first dollar out should be given to our small businesses and entrepreneurs," Stollings said. Stollings also said the governor should be prepared to utilize the National Guard to help combat the crisis.
Stollings said he would promote economic growth by prioritizing small businesses, supporting entrepreneurs and expanding the state's technology sector. "This is something we have been working on
in the Senate for some time," Stollings said. Stollings also said he would establish a governor's office of grants and partnerships to take advantage of funding for recovery efforts following the coronavirus crisis.
Source: Marshall Parthenon on 2020 West Virginia governor debate
Mar 25, 2020
Woody Thrasher:
Economic development requires numerous approaches
Thrasher's planned initiatives for economic development are an increased focus on tourism, recruiting companies beyond those involved in resource extraction and improving the state's infrastructure, including broadband access.
He said the same approach to job creation cannot be used throughout the state, noting the variety of resources and opportunities in West Virginia. "Economic development is not a one-size fits all," he said.
Source: Weirton Daily Times on 2020 West Virginia gubernatorial race
Mar 1, 2020
Michael Folk:
State money not spent should go into rainy day fund
Folk was very critical of the budget passed in 2017, saying there are ways to eliminate wasted spending instead of raising taxes on the citizens of West Virginia. "I agree we are spending money on stuff we shouldn't be spending money on,"
Folk told those in attendance. One example of this discussed is the excess of reappropriated dollars. Folk said he was a proponent of a bill that did not go anywhere but would have swept this money not used into a rainy day fund.
Source: Martinsburg Journal-News on 2020 West Virginia Governor race
Feb 20, 2020
Michael Folk:
Support free enterprise, job creation, and tax reform
The budget needs to be completed during the Regular Legislative session. We should not be expending additional taxpayer funds during an extended session each year just for the budget.
Reduce or eliminate "unclassified" spending in the state budget to reduce or eliminate the amount that is taken from the "rainy" day fund in the coming years. Support free enterprise, job creation, and tax reform.
Source: 2020 West Virginia Governor campaign website Folk4WV.com
Dec 16, 2019
Woody Thrasher:
Delays lead to roads needing to be rebuilt, not repaired
"The longer we wait, the more roads will need to be rebuilt, not just repaired, and the more it will all cost," Thrasher said. "Our Highways workers are doing the best they can with severely limited resources and a chief executive who specializes
in stopgaps. We need to help our Division of Highways recruit and maintain the designated workforce levels in each county."
Source: Press release for 2020 West Virginia Gubernatorial race
Jul 9, 2019
Jim Justice:
Proposed nearly $3 billion for infrastructure
Gov. Jim Justice proposed--and through its votes the Legislature has supported--a "Roads to Prosperity" initiative that aims to spend nearly $3 billion in the coming years on road and bridge improvements and repairs throughout the state.
The goals are creating jobs; improving the state's roads and bridges, the condition of which are rated among the worst in the nation; and paving the way for further economic development through improved infrastructure.
Source: Coal Valley News on 2020 West Virginia Governor race
Sep 27, 2017
Page last updated: Dec 19, 2020
Beshear(D)
vs.