JOUR-PAC is pleased to announce our official endorsement of 11 West Virginia JOUR-PAC Reformers running for re-election in 2018. These 11 West Virginia state legislators have served their districts, state, and country honorably and have worked hard to promote Justice, Opportunity, and United Reform. We are pleased to endorse them for re-election.
Note: JOUR-PAC is focused mainly on federal Congressional races, so we do not endorse in all state legislature races, and we do not follow the bills/actions in the state legislatures as closely as we do the ones in Congress. Additionally, our support for state legislators is based on their leadership of some issue(s) that is/are important to JOUR-PAC. As always, our endorsement and reformer induction does not represent a 100% agreement with all of their views, but instead, it represents our appreciation of their leadership on important issues. State Delegate Pat McGeehan (R-WV HD 01): Protecting Civil Liberties & 4th Amendment: "I do not support giving up personal liberty for so-called "more security". I will oppose legislation such as the PATRIOT Act, the recent unconstitutional clauses within the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), CISPA, SOPA, and any other bill that infringes on the 4th and 5th Amendments within the Bill of Rights. Civil liberty and private property must be kept sacred, and I will always fight to make sure it is. As a former Air Force Intelligence Officer who served in the Middle East, I have the necessary experience to understand our current involvement across the world and foreign policy. National Defense is the federal government's primary function and must be taken seriously at all measures." Follow him on Twitter: https://twitter.com/mcgeehanwv State Delegate Joshua Higginbotham (R-WV HD 13): Leadership for Respect & Compassion: "Cyberbullying is a problem for minors in West Virginia, which often leads to poor self-esteem, substance abuse and even suicide. The state legislature is taking on the issue this session with House Bill 2655, which would define and establish the crime of cyberbullying to minors. It passed through the House Judiciary Committee on Friday. The bill would cover both adults and minors who bully a minor child. The bill also covers several means of cyberbullying, including use of a computer or computer network, building fake profiles or websites and posing as a minor in an electronic chat room or instant messages. Posting or encouraging others to post private or sexual information pertaining to a minor, posting real or doctored images of the minor on the internet, and signing a minor up for a pornographic internet site is also covered in the bill. Making a statement, whether true or false, that intends to immediately provoke, or that will likely provoke a third party to stalk of harass a minor is also addressed. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Resources, minors who are the victims of cyberbullying are more likely to use drugs and alcohol, skip school, get bad grades and have low self-esteem with increased instances of health problems, depression and anxiety that in some cases have led to suicide. “With the changing times, it’s more important than ever that we address these issues,” said Delegate Saira Blair, R-Berkeley, one of the bill’s sponsors. “Technology moves a lot faster than legislation does, so this is an opportunity for us to keep up. Blair and Josh Higginbotham, R-Putnam, two of the youngest state legislators in the United States, both graduated from high school in 2014. Higginbotham is another sponsor of HB 2655. He said he is aware of suicides committed by minor students, many due to cyberbullying. “I believe we need to address it and at least get the conversation started,” Higginbotham said. “We can shed some light on this epidemic and do the best we can do to put a stop to it.” Campaign Website: https://www.higginbothamwv.org/ State Delegate Kayla Kessinger (R-WV HD 32): Fighting Human Trafficking: "A Fayette County delegate led an effort to bring awareness to human trafficking in Shine a Light on Slavery Day. Kayla Kessinger, R-Fayette, was one of the sponsors of House Bill 2318 (became law), which increases penalties for instances of human trafficking in West Virginia and strengthens the legal definitions of what constitutes human trafficking. The measure was unanimously approved by the House Thursday and now moves to the Senate for consideration. The bill also creates felony offenses and penalties for using a person in forced labor, debt bondage and commercial sexual activity. It also creates a felony for patronizing a person to engage in commercial sexual activity. Many delegates participated in the End it Movement's Shine a Light on Slavery Day on Thursday by marking a red “X” on their hands, displaying it during the House floor session and committee meetings, a House news release said. The End it Movement is a global coalition of organizations working to raise awareness on human trafficking. “It's great to see our state making an effort to end human trafficking,” Kessinger said in the news release. “This is an issue a lot of West Virginians care about, and by addressing it face-on, the legislature can make real progress toward reducing the amount of trafficking that is occurring.” According to the U.S. State Department, 600,000 to 800,000 people are trafficked across international borders every year. The department said 80 percent of those are women and children. “Human trafficking is happening all over our country,” Kessinger said in the release. “When 17,000 people are trafficked every year in the United States, we have to do something to raise awareness and prevent such a heinous crime.” Campaign Website: https://www.facebook.com/pg/kessinger4house/about/?ref=page_internal State Delegate Moore Capito (R-WV HD 35): Protecting Civil Liberties: "Supporters of the original bill took issue with his proposal because it prohibited smoking and required marijuana to be administered in a pill, oil, topical form, by vaporization or nebulization, tincture, liquid or dermal patch; because it prevented people from growing their own plants; and because it set a $100,000 annual fee for growers and processors. “This amendment right here would mean favoring the haves and the one-percenters versus a bipartisan amendment which would be the have-nots — a lot of West Virginians,” said Delegate Sean Hornbuckle, D-Cabell. Delegate Michael Folk, R-Berkeley, was upset that patients would have to make their own edibles under Shott’s amendment. “My mom can’t even walk right now,” he said. “You vote for this bill, you know you’re voting against people using medical cannabis in this state.” Shott’s amendment passed in a 51-48 vote, precluding Pushkin’s amendment from further consideration. Republicans who voted against Shott’s amendment included: Saira Blair, R-Berkeley; Moore Capito, R-Kanawha; Mark Dean, R- Mingo; Michael Folk, R-Berkeley; Jordan Hill, R-Nicholas; Charlotte Lane, R-Kanawha; Zack Maynard, R-Lincoln; Pat McGeehan, R-Hancock; Carol Miller, R-Cabell; Riley Moore, R-Jefferson; Tony Paynter, R-Wyoming; Danny Wagner, R-Barbour; and Brad White, R-Kanawha. All voters for Shott’s amendment were Republicans, except for Rick Moye, D-Raleigh. Earlier Monday, the West Virginia Republican Platform Committee distributed a letter to lawmakers, asking them to vote against the medical marijuana bill." (JOUR-PAC Note: This Delegate voted against the Shott amendment which weakened the bill and in support of the final bill even though his party was opposed to it, representing his willingness to be an independent voice for his constituents.) Also, Fighting Human Trafficking: "@KaylaKessinger: Proud of my colleagues in @wvlegislature for SHINING A LIGHT ON SLAVERY today! @SairaBlairWV @MooreCapitoWV @jaredwv @BatesMick #InItToENDIT" Campaign Website: http://www.moorecapito.com/ State Delegate Charlotte Lane (R-WV HD 35): Protecting Civil Liberties: "A senate bill to legalize medical marijuana in the state is being fast-tracked through the West Virginia House of Delegates. Senate Bill 386, which passed out of the state Senate Wednesday night on a 28 to 6 vote, would create the West Virginia Medical Cannabis Act, legalizing medical marijuana in West Virginia. Several delegates spoke in favor of the motion including Republican Charlotte Lane of Kanawha County, who criticized House leadership for being unwilling to run the bill. “It has become clear to me that my bill and other bills are never going to see the light of day," she said, "and for those of us who have sick friends who want medical marijuana to ease their suffering, this is our only chance. I don’t know about you, but I spent the afternoon listening to all of my phone messages, and these were from people saying support medical marijuana.” Campaign Website: https://www.facebook.com/votecharlottelane/ State Delegate Brad White (R-WV HD 36): Protecting Civil Liberties: "Supporters of the original bill took issue with his proposal because it prohibited smoking and required marijuana to be administered in a pill, oil, topical form, by vaporization or nebulization, tincture, liquid or dermal patch; because it prevented people from growing their own plants; and because it set a $100,000 annual fee for growers and processors. “This amendment right here would mean favoring the haves and the one-percenters versus a bipartisan amendment which would be the have-nots — a lot of West Virginians,” said Delegate Sean Hornbuckle, D-Cabell. Delegate Michael Folk, R-Berkeley, was upset that patients would have to make their own edibles under Shott’s amendment. “My mom can’t even walk right now,” he said. “You vote for this bill, you know you’re voting against people using medical cannabis in this state.” Shott’s amendment passed in a 51-48 vote, precluding Pushkin’s amendment from further consideration. Republicans who voted against Shott’s amendment included: Saira Blair, R-Berkeley; Moore Capito, R-Kanawha; Mark Dean, R- Mingo; Michael Folk, R-Berkeley; Jordan Hill, R-Nicholas; Charlotte Lane, R-Kanawha; Zack Maynard, R-Lincoln; Pat McGeehan, R-Hancock; Carol Miller, R-Cabell; Riley Moore, R-Jefferson; Tony Paynter, R-Wyoming; Danny Wagner, R-Barbour; and Brad White, R-Kanawha. All voters for Shott’s amendment were Republicans, except for Rick Moye, D-Raleigh. Earlier Monday, the West Virginia Republican Platform Committee distributed a letter to lawmakers, asking them to vote against the medical marijuana bill." (JOUR-PAC Note: This Delegate voted against the Shott amendment which weakened the bill and in support of the final bill even though his party was opposed to it, representing his willingness to be an independent voice for his constituents.) Campaign Website: http://www.bradwhiteforwv.com/ State Delegate Jordan Hill (R-WV HD 41): Protecting Civil Liberties: "Shott’s amendment passed in a 51-48 vote, precluding Pushkin’s amendment from further consideration. Republicans who voted against Shott’s amendment included: Saira Blair, R-Berkeley; Moore Capito, R-Kanawha; Mark Dean, R- Mingo; Michael Folk, R-Berkeley; Jordan Hill, R-Nicholas; Charlotte Lane, R-Kanawha; Zack Maynard, R-Lincoln; Pat McGeehan, R-Hancock; Carol Miller, R-Cabell; Riley Moore, R-Jefferson; Tony Paynter, R-Wyoming; Danny Wagner, R-Barbour; and Brad White, R-Kanawha. All voters for Shott’s amendment were Republicans, except for Rick Moye, D-Raleigh. Earlier Monday, the West Virginia Republican Platform Committee distributed a letter to lawmakers, asking them to vote against the medical marijuana bill." (JOUR-PAC Note: This Delegate voted against the Shott amendment which weakened the bill and in support of the final bill even though his party was opposed to it, representing his willingness to be an independent voice for his constituents.) On the same issue as above ^: "When have we ever been afraid to stand up to the federal government?” Hill said." Campaign Website: https://www.facebook.com/Jordan-Hill-for-House-of-Delegates-285253184860854/ State Delegate Danny Hamrick (R-WV HD 48): Leadership for 21st Century Reforms: "Danny Hamrick is a member of the WV House of Delegates. Earlier this year, he co-sponsored legislation to allow West Virginia to join more than thirty other states to allow ride-sharing taxi services like UBER® and Lyft®." (HB 4228 of 2016 became law) Campaign Website: https://www.facebook.com/DelegateHamrick/ State Delegate Jill Upson (R-WV HD 65): Criminal Justice Reform: "Delegate Jill Upson was chosen to take part in a three-day Legislative Roundtable in Washington, DC, to discuss issues affecting minority communities as a whole. The three-day legislative roundtable began on Wednesday. Delegate Jill Upson, a Republican from Jefferson County, says the experience has been jam-packed with information, speakers, and other legislators from around the country sharing ideas on how to make their state better. The roundtable event consisted of 30 leading state and city legislative officials of color who looked to discuss energy workforce, tech entrepreneurship and high speed internet access, policing and sentencing, and challenges of the unbanked. Upson says one of the things she wants to address after returning home to West Virginia is the criminal justice system and its effect on the workforce. “It’s an initiative called Ban the Box," Upson explained, "and what that does is it simply takes the question of, have you ever been convicted of a felon off of the application, so that it gives the applicant an opportunity to get their foot in the door, and then they could explain, well, you know, I was 18, and I did something silly, and so for the last ten, twelve years, I’ve been on the straight and narrow.” Campaign Website: http://jillupson4wv.com/ State Delegate Paul Espinosa (R-WV HD 66): Justice for Child Victims of Sexual Abuse: "As co-chairmen of the State Task Force on the Prevention of Sexual Abuse of Children, it is our distinct honor to present the following report on behalf of the Task Force. This diverse and dedicated group of stakeholders has taken their charge seriously and dedicated countless hours of time and attention to preparing recommendations to improve the lives of West Virginia children. The following recommendations are bold, yet attainable; aspirational, yet achievable. The recommendations recognize that adults are responsible for the safety of children, and that it is the responsibility of those in leadership to build systems of support and training for the adults who work with children every day. On behalf of the Task Force, we would like to thank the West Virginians who work in this field every day, ensuring that West Virginia children are protected, cared for, and safe. We hope that the recommendations included in this report will support your efforts and build on the remarkable work already taking place in our state on behalf of our children." (Lead Sponsor of HB 2704-Prohibiting persons convicted of sexual offenses against children with whom they hold positions of trust from holding certification or license valid in public schools. Bill became law in 2017.) Campaign Website: http://www.paulespinosa.com/ State Delegate Riley Moore (R-WV HD 67): Protecting Civil Liberties: "Shott’s amendment passed in a 51-48 vote, precluding Pushkin’s amendment from further consideration. Republicans who voted against Shott’s amendment included: Saira Blair, R-Berkeley; Moore Capito, R-Kanawha; Mark Dean, R- Mingo; Michael Folk, R-Berkeley; Jordan Hill, R-Nicholas; Charlotte Lane, R-Kanawha; Zack Maynard, R-Lincoln; Pat McGeehan, R-Hancock; Carol Miller, R-Cabell; Riley Moore, R-Jefferson; Tony Paynter, R-Wyoming; Danny Wagner, R-Barbour; and Brad White, R-Kanawha. All voters for Shott’s amendment were Republicans, except for Rick Moye, D-Raleigh. Earlier Monday, the West Virginia Republican Platform Committee distributed a letter to lawmakers, asking them to vote against the medical marijuana bill." (JOUR-PAC Note: This Delegate voted against the Shott amendment which weakened the bill and in support of the final bill even though his party was opposed to it, representing his willingness to be an independent voice for his constituents.) Campaign Website: http://www.mooreforwv.com/ See all of our 2018 Endorsements here: JOUR-PAC 2018 Endorsements!
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
JOUR-PACReformers Blog Archives
March 2018
Categories
All
|