Governor (West Virginia)
Joe Manchin
Contact:
Website: www.governormanchin.com
| Name: | Joe Manchin |
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| Party: | Democrat |
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| Home City: | |
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| Home County: | |
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Biography:
I grew up in Farmington. I graduated from WVU, earning a BS in Business Administration. After college, I became a successful businessman. I served as a member of the House of Delegates and the State Senate. I also served as Secretary of State, and I currently serve as Governor.
Personal Statement:
- With more and more West Virginians lacking health insurance coverage, what would you do as governor to assure that affordable health care and prescription drug coverage is available and affordable for all West Virginians?
- My administration launched WVRx, giving uninsured workers access to free prescriptions. We have expanded access to, and created more, affordable health care plans and launched www.comparecarewv.gov, to help citizens shop for better prices. Through a CHIP waiver every five year old will receive a comprehensive health screening starting this year.
- What do you think needs to be done to address teacher shortage in subjects such as science, math, special education and foreign languages?
- I proposed in this year’s budget a $20 million signing bonus for teachers working in fields where there are teacher shortages. We will continue to raise teacher salaries, in a fiscally responsible manner, as we have done for the last three years and we must look at alternative certification.
- Please define your education agenda, prek-20, for improving the education system.
- I believe the five promises translate into insuring readiness to learn and a high quality pre-k program with seamless integration into a rigorous, relevant and responsible k-12 system that promotes graduates into post secondary choices of technical, community or four-year institutions, insuring a skilled, globally competitive 21st Century workforce.
- How would you balance the increasing demand for developing West Virginia energy resources while improving the quality of life and the environment?
- The adoption of advanced coal technologies will better protect our environment while also helping us to achieve more energy security. In addition, the diversification of our state’s resource base through the expanded promotion of renewable energy development and energy efficiency will enable all West Virginians to reduce their carbon footprint.
- According to Forbes Magazine, West Virginia is 50th in business climate. How do you plan to improve the situation?
- I’m as frustrated by these rankings as anyone, but I sincerely believe that our state is moving in the right direction. For example, we’re experiencing the lowest unemployment in the state’s history and 23,000 new jobs have been created since 2005. Change is hard, but together we’re making it happen.
