State of West Virginia Archives: on Technology

Stephen Noble Smith: Update road funding formula; tax trucks for damage

Ron Stollings: Invest in infrastructure and site development

Stollings called Gov. Jim Justice "a likable fella" but said he should spend more time at the state capitol. Stollings said he would if elected governor. "I would be here, to be in that mansion, to be able to build relationships and to learn from people," Stollings said. "I could see us having fireside chats from people that are experts in their field so we could use their knowledge to help fix things here in West Virginia."

Alex Mooney: End federal obsession with big city public transportation

I will work to ensure that West Virginia receives its fair share of federal gas tax revenues. We need to end the federal government's obsession with funding big city public transportation schemes that soar over budget and deliver fewer riders. This will create a fairer distribution of money to each state and allow West Virginians to set our own priorities.

I would also support efforts to sell federal BLM lands to help fund the Highway Trust Fund, to help maintain our crucial roads and bridges.

Alex Mooney: End overreach of NSA's surveillance program

Earl Ray Tomblin: Foster public private partnerships to develop our roads

In 2008, the Public-Private Partnership Act was passed and signed into law. The Act allowed the West Virginia Division of Highways to partner with a private company on the design and construction of otherwise public transportation facilities. This current structure, however, has limited usefulness.

Tonight, I'm proposing legislation to make the Act permanent and streamline the approval requirements to allow the Commissioner of Highways the flexibility to enter into these public-private partnerships. This will allow us to take greater advantage of this innovative tool for the construction of infrastructure.

Natalie Tennant: Expand R&D, broadband, tourism, & energy sectors

• We will get our people back to work in jobs with dignity and a good wage.
• 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.
• We will continue our commitment to an energy-based economy and our coal and natural gas industries.
• We will reignite our tourism efforts through new branding of West Virginia. We can bring more vacationers to West Virginia and create jobs.

Joe Manchin III: States depend on federal government for key infrastructure

But Manchin said states depend on the federal government for key infrastructure like roads, water and sewage lines, and broadband Internet access. Without government, he said, poor, rural states would suffer. "The free enterprise system is not going to go there. They're only going to go where the market is," Manchin said. "And for all of us to have an opportunity there has to be a partnership. The federal government and state government should be your partner, not your provider."