Jim Justice in 2020 WV Governor's race
On Civil Rights:
Black lives matter because all lives matter
When asked about the Black Lives Matter movement, Justice said West Virginia is "blessed to have much better relations with others from other races," than the rest of the country. He said, "of course"
Black lives matter. "They matter like all lives matter, and we should absolutely always try to work together," Justice said, noting that he has a problem with looting and burning businesses.
Salango said West Virginia needs a governor who would bring people together and not tear them apart. "We need a governor who is not going to make racially insensitive comments, referring to children as thugs,"
Salango said, referring to comments Justice made after a high school basketball game earlier this year. Salango said he rejects the notion that one can't support both the Black Lives Matter movement and police.
Source: Charleston Gazette-Mail: 2020 West Virginia Governor debate
Oct 13, 2020
On Civil Rights:
Would sign Fairness Act to protect LGBTQ in housing, jobs
A point of agreement between Justice and Salango was whether they would support the Fairness Act, a bill that, if passed by the Legislature, would make it illegal for employers or landlords to fire someone or kick them out of a rental property based on
the employees' and tenants' sexual orientation or gender identity. Both men said they would sign the Fairness Act into law if it came to the governor's desk.
Source: Charleston Gazette-Mail: 2020 West Virginia Governor debate
Oct 13, 2020
On Energy & Oil:
I truly believe that coal has a future, a real future
On energy: "We know there is a life span on coal," Salango said. Justice said Salango saying there is a life span on coal is Salango "throwing in the towel" on coal miners. "I truly believe that coal has a future, a real future,"
Justice said. "Now, it might be diversified ... absolutely. To give up on coal, there's no way Jim Justice is doing that."
Asked if they would devote more government resources to sustain the coal industry or invest in alternative, renewable fuels for the state's future, Salango said he would "never turn his back on coal miners" while focusing
on training in new, other forms of energy. "We have to make sure we're providing other opportunities, providing vocational and technical training to kids in middle school and high school."
Source: Charleston Gazette-Mail: 2020 West Virginia Governor debate
Oct 13, 2020
On Drugs:
Jobs & Hope: $29.7 million to guide people in recovery
Gov. Jim Justice, who is running for re-election last week kicked off the Jobs & Hope program that combines recovery efforts with workforce training. The concept previously had been called "Jim's Dream.""This started with just a dream," Justice said
last week. "We've got drugs affecting every family in this state, one way or another. We have to do something about it."
Jobs & Hope includes $29.7 million in funding for its first year and employs transition agents to guide people in recovery as
they overcome obstacles such as transportation and move toward job training.
[Democratic opponent Woody] Thrasher, speaking on MetroNews "Talkline," said the Justice administration has dealt too inconsistently with a pervasive problem. "There
is no concerted effort and plan to deal with this problem in West Virginia," Thrasher said. "We have to do better than we're doing.
Source: W.V. MetroNews on 2020 West Virginia Gubernatorial race
Oct 24, 2019
On Education:
Cool to education savings accounts & charter schools
Education Secretary Betsy DeVos put out a message in support of an education bill being considered in the state Senate. It includes charter schools and education savings accounts, for students leaving public school for private education. Though the
Republican majority in the state Senate has pushed for increased school choice options, Justice has been more reluctant. He has expressed willingness to accept a few charter schools and has been less enthusiastic about education savings accounts.
Source: W.V. MetroNews on 2020 West Virginia gubernatorial race
Jun 2, 2019
On Education:
Supports education, with focus on public school teachers
"We could have gotten a lot of stuff," Justice said. "We could have gotten two or three pilot charter schools. We could have gotten the math and science incentives. You could have gotten the teacher supply stuff, and the nurses and the counselors and
psychologists in the schools. We could have gotten the school aid formula for the counties that don't have big populations to be able to help those counties. I am all for every bit of that -- but I'm also a believer in our teachers in public schools."
Source: Wheeling Intelligencer on 2020 West Virginia governor race
Apr 14, 2019
On Civil Rights:
State human rights commission is understaffed & underfunded
The state agency charged with protecting human rights in West Virginia continues to struggle with staffing because of low wages compared to the private sector, according to the acting director. Acting director Cameron McKinney continues to do two
jobs, general counsel and acting director, since Justice terminated the employment of former director Marykaye Jacquet about a year ago. The Commission helps people file discrimination claims in the areas of housing, employment or public accommodations.
Source: Beckley Register-Herald on 2020 West Virginia governor race
Mar 28, 2019
On Social Security:
Signs law phasing out tax on Social Security for most
Starting in the 2020 tax year, most citizens across West Virginia will begin to see an elimination on their social security tax. This is after Justice signed House Bill 2001, which exempts Social Security benefits from personal income taxes in a
three-year phase-in. Starting with a person's 2019 taxes, the tax will be eliminated by 35 percent in the first year, increasing to 65 percent the following year and to the full 100 percent in the third year.
Source: W.V. MetroNews on 2020 West Virginia gubernatorial race
Mar 28, 2019
On Immigration:
Attacks Democrats for not supporting border security
"What is he asking for? He's asking for something that will help all of us, to protect our borders, to keep the bad stuff out," he continued. "And what is the other side doing?
The other side is just hitting back and saying no because we don't like you. We're not going to do it because we don't like you." Justice claimed the amount of money the president is asking for is more than reasonable.
Source: The Daily Caller on 2020 West Virginia gubernatorial race
Jan 24, 2019
On Social Security:
Eliminate state tax on Social Security benefits
Justice is proposing the elimination of a state tax on Social Security benefits, and offering significant funding increases for substance abuse, social services and tourism in the next fiscal year. If passed by the Republican-controlled Legislature,
eliminating the Social Security tax would mean a $50 million reduction in revenue collected. West Virginia is among 13 states that currently tax Social Security benefits. Surrounding states are not among them.
Source: Martinsburg Herald-Mail on 2020 West Virginia governor race
Jan 10, 2019
On Civil Rights:
Governor's Minority Affairs director condemned by NAACP
Justice appointed Jill Upson to serve as executive director of the state's Office of Minority Affairs. The Office is charged with reviewing research on policies that disproportionately affect minority populations and making recommendations.
The NAACP West Virginia Conference called on Upson, who is black, to resign over her super-PAC's radio ad, which stated that "white Democrats" would "take us back to bad old days of race verdicts, life sentences, and lynchings."
Source: Beckley Register-Herald on 2020 West Virginia governor race
Dec 4, 2018
On Free Trade:
Supports USMCA trade agreement to replace NAFTA
The USMCA is a new trade pact among the United States, Mexico and Canada, intended as a stronger and modernized replacement for the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
Gov. Jim Justice (R-WV): "Our great president @realDonaldTrump strikes again. No question the USMCA will bring opportunity and job growth to our entire nation and to WV as well. Go Donald go!"
Source: White House press release: 2020 West Virginia Governor race
Oct 2, 2018
On Budget & Economy:
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