State House 16 (3) (West Virginia)

Kelli Sobonya

Contact: P.O. Box 367, Barboursville, WV 25504 Home Phone: 733-9169 Capitol Office: 340-3175 Email: Sobonya4WVHouse@aol.com
Website: www.vote4kelli.com

Name:	Kelli Sobonya
Party:	Republican
Home City:	Barboursville
Home County:	Cabell

Biography:

Realtor and former business owner. Born July 13, 1963 in Ironton, Ohio, the daughter of Curt and Becky Davis. Education: Vinson High. Graduate: Ambridge High School; Institute of Computer Management, Pittsburgh; REDC Real Estate Development Center. Employed: Century 21 Homes & Land Real Estate. Family: Husband Ed Sobonya,Children: Daughter,Abby; Son, Andrew & his wife Tiffany and grandson Isaiah; Memberships: Barboursville Rotary Club; Beta Sigma Phi; NRA; National Association of Realtors; Government Affairs Committee, WV Association of Realtors; Harley Owners Group; Small Business Survival Committee; West Virginia Public Policy Council; Chair, Public Affairs Committee, Barboursville Women’s Club; Board of Directors, C.I.S. Communities in Schools; West Virginia Federation of Republican Women; Huntington-Cabell County Republican Women; Past Chairperson and Legislative Committee Member, Huntington Board of Realtors; Founding Sponsor, Cabell-Midland High School Teenage Republicans; Founder, CCCAGE; Advisory Board, WV Habitat for Humanity Legislative Service Elected 2002-to present. Other Public Service: Appointed by Cabell County Commission, two terms, E-911 Advisory Board.Religion: Christian; Member, Farmdale Church of Christ.

Personal Statement:

In 2002, you voted for change. Like me, you had a strong desire to help improve West Virginia's economy so that jobs would be created and our young people could stay in our great state. In my three terms as a member of the Legislature, we have passed comprehensive reforms and have tackled some tough issues. Yet more is to be done. West Virginia is at the crossroads. We can either go back to the past of failed policies or we can continue to embrace the future. I believe West Virginia has a bright future. Together, let's keep the momentum for change. I appreciate your support as together we continue to move West Virginia forward.

What are your plans to create jobs in your district? Are there any particular industries you would like to bring into your district? What kind of legislation would you create in order to bring in out-of-state companies into the district?: Continue to push for comprehensive reforms to make us more competitive with other states. The role of Government is to create a level playing field so the private sector can create jobs & grow our tax base. I envision new jobs in high tech research, transportation,and alternative energy sources.
With less tax revenue expected to come in to the state, what should be done with the state tax system? What are your thoughts on state taxes and do you have any plans to increase/decrease taxes in your represented district?: It’s wrong for government to pick winners & losers in our tax structure. A fair/simple tax code will allow businesses to invest in West Virginia. I cosponsored & passed bills to reduce/phase out punitive taxes on businesses. I support eliminating the food tax & taxes on retirement pensions.
With crime, especially drug abuse, becoming a bigger problem in the area, what do you think should be done to cut down on drug activity in the district? Are there any pieces of legislation you would like to create to combat the rising local drug epidemic?: I helped dedicate millions of dollars from the Oxycontin settlement for law enforcement to combat drugs. I am the lead sponsor of a bill which creates the West Virginia Addictions Treatment and Recovery Fund which would help establish drug recovery options such as the proposed Healing Place for our region.
Over the past 10 years the housing stock in several citites has been slowly declining. What could you do, as a legislator, to create/improve housing in the area? Should the problem be solved locally or on the state level?: The legislature passed this session several bills to give cities more flexibility in addressing the dilapidated housing problem such as requiring insurance companies to notify municipalities when a fire insurance claim has been paid for abandoned and burned down structures and creating additional guidelines for abandoned structures. I also support ways the State can assist our Housing Authorities to address the housing needs for our low income population. As a Realtor, I understand the need for affordable housing. Programs such as Habitat for Humanity are important in helping families realize the American dream of home ownership. I believe addressing our housing needs will take the cooperation of not just government, but also the religious community and other organizations. Also, a problem nationally and here in our state is the rising rate of foreclosures. I see a trend where lending institutions are being less liberal with their underwriting policies and also requiring more money for a down payment. When people have "ownership" in something, they are less likely to walk away from their obligations and this will cut down on vacant and abandoned homes. One other housing need for our state and our region is for more assisted living opportunities so that our elderly can age in place and in a home environment.
What type of health care initiatives are you interested in introducing as a legislator? Do you believe the system is being utilized to its full potential, or can improvements be made? If improvements could be made, what are they?: As a legislator, I have supported bills adding more children to the CHIPS program; created an insurance pool for small businesses who couldn't afford to provide health insurance for their employees; created a new insurance program for those who were denied health insurance due to pre-existing conditions (Access WV); healthy lifestyles initiatives; and have voted many times to help draw down the federal matching money, etc. and I will continue to push for ways in which state government can help empower individuals to play a better role in improving their health. I plan to ensure that state government improves the reimbursement process for the providers who provide health care related services for our indigent and working poor population. As a member of the Legislative Rule Making and Review Committee, which is made up of 4 Senators and 4 House members, I was able to successfully amend the rules relating to Hospice Licensure to ensure that Hospice providers were able to practice without stricter governmental restrictions. Hospice is a very important component of health care opportunities for our terminally ill.
Marshall University regularly has to compete with other colleges in the state for research funding dollars. Do you believe research and the furtherance of higher education in your district is important? Why? What do you plan to do to bring more funding dollars to MU? What would you do to ensure that MU would have the opportunity to continue its research initiatives?: I enthusiastically supported and voted in favor of the Governor's bill this past session known as "Bucks for Brains." This will allow matching money up to $50 million for MU and WVU. Marshall University is already on the cutting edge of research with the new Byrd Biotechnology Science Center, the Forensic Science Center, and the Marshall University Research Corporation is attracting some of the best and brightest across the nation and the world. In order for Marshall to continue its research initiatives, its newly signed memorandum of understanding to partner with HADCO in the future construction of a new 16,000 square foot facility will allow for a biotech incubator. As a legislator, I will do everything within my grasp to make sure that we continue to build upon our recent successes in research and in higher education. The Research Triangle cities within North Carolina and their efforts to focus a large part of their resources toward research has attracted large corporations to their region. I believe our future is bright if we work together with current and future research opportunities within Marshall University and beyond.
What are the conditions of the roadways in your district? Are there any pieces of legislation you are interested in introducing to improve local roads?: West Virginia has 36,000 miles of roadway and in my district there are many needs for improvements. The Department of Transportation has projected $587 million worth of revenues and of that, nearly $341 million is expected to go toward administrative costs, debt repayment, and routine roadway maintenance, leaving little money for remaining projects. A bill passed in the Legislature, after being introduced for nearly ten years without action taken on it, will create a public-private partnership. However, my concern with this bill is that it creates toll roads. The turnpike was funded with a "temporary" toll road and it has been paid for several times over and yet the Legislature tries to tap into this toll road fund to help fund projects in their home districts such as ATV trails and horse parks. The conditions and need for improvements of roadways in my district our numerous. Some are the responsibility of the state and others are in the jurisdiction of cities. Route 10 needs widened and straightened. Bridges need to be made in compliance. I believe each agency within state government needs to be audited to ensure that taxpayer dollars are being spent adequately. We also need address the situation where road construction projects in our state are more costly than in many other states.
How do you plan to work with the state's Division of Highways to improve roadways in your district? What road and bridge improvements need to be made?: I have a good working relationship with the District DOH office within my district. I communicate with them frequently on road projects within my district and I hope to be able to continue this positive working relationship. I am working with them on several flooding issues that require the assistance of the DOH with retention ponds, etc. I was also appointed by the Speaker of the House to serve on a four-member Conference Committee along with our two Cabell County Senators on SB-72 which would add Cabell County and three other counties to the Route 2/Interstate 68 Authority. This authority is instrumental in economic development efforts along these major roads and along the Ohio River and Cabell County should be included in this authority.
How do you plan to improve recreational activities in the area? Are there any parks, trails or playground projects you would like to focus on? How would these new recreational activities benefit the communities?: I have worked with the Huntington Park Board and with our delegation to improve amenities such as jogging trails, playing fields, and beautification efforts. We have been able to work with the foundations that were created to help build a new playground in Ritter Park and to secure Community Participation Grants for park improvements. As with a good education system, a good library system, and recreational opportunities, parks are also a great tool in attracting young families to locate in our region. I would like to see a new skate park created for our youth as well as programs that will encourage healthy lifestyles and physical fitness opportunities.
What areas of interest do you plan on focusing on as a legislator? Have you planned any legislation to be introduced?: I plan to continue to build upon the successes that we've made in the Legislature in the six years that I have been honored to serve the citizens of District 16. I was able to vote and pass legislation relating to insurance reform to help make insurance affordable and available; privatize workers comp to help make our program for injured workers solvent; medical liability reform creating a physicians mutual program to help keep our doctors in West Virginia; tax reform for businesses. Reducte the tax on food although I support fully eliminating this regressive tax. I believe that government should be responsive and accountable to the people and I have tried to be a good steward of the taxpayers' money. I have sponsored a bill that would prohibit the practice of public officials using public funds to self promote; West Virginia has one of the poorest and oldest populations in the nation and cannot sustain further increases in taxes and fees. If re-elected, I will continue to keep the taxpayer in mind when considering legislation. I have received the Friend of the Taxpayer Award given by West Virginians Against Government Waste. I am the only member of District 16 to have voted against the legislative pay raise and the gas tax. Our gas prices are currently the sixth highest in the nation. legislation to make the selection of our judges on our non-partisan basis because justice is to be blind and impartial. I was the lead sponsor of the bill "Logan's Law" which protects children from sex offenders and was on the Governor's 6-member legislative working group to draft the bill which is now law and I have sponsored additional bills that will give additional protections for our children. I have sponsored legislation that would exempt pensions from state taxes and supports and has sponsored legislation that would increase the homestead exemption. I support property owners' rights and protecting our West Virginia jobs and public services for legal West Virginia residents. I sponsored a bill that will ensure that only legal U.S. citizens can receive benefits and social services. As a member of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Regional Jails I have cosponsored legislation which will help reduce the costs of incarcerating inmates which will leave more revenue for counties to use for infrastructure and other projects. I will also continue to push for legislation I have sponsored that will give more options for those with addictions. If we can help our citizens overcome their addiction to drugs, it will help reduce the drug trafficking and crime in our area and state. This session, I received a LEAD award from the law enforcement community statewide because of my commitment to working with those who protect the public. My committee assignments include: House Judiciary; Minority Chair of Small Business, Economic Development/Industry & Labor; Legislative Rule Making and Review; Constitutional Revision; Select Committee on Mining Safety. I have gone underground in two working coal mines and have operated long-wall mining machinery in my quest to gain a broader knowledge of this industry in order to further protect our miners. Please visit my website: www.vote4kelli.com Thank you!
REPLY IN FEWER THAN 50 WORDS: Students in West Virginia generally lag behind other countries in education. Do you favor more instruction days, adding merit pay for teachers, improving math and science instruction or some other option to improve education?: Our curriculum should be rigorous and challenging like educational systems throughout the world. Greater emphasis on academics. We need to reduce the need for remedial classes when entering college. Teachers should teach in their respective field of expertise in order for students to succeed.
REPLY IN FEWER THAN 50 WORDS: Many West Virginia cities are struggling with their long-term municipal pension obligations. What do you think the state should do to help cities deal with municipal pensions?: Promises made to retirees should be kept, but future pensions must become solvent. It is difficult for legislators representing districts with fully funded pensions force their constituents to bail out cities elsewhere who don't. We are studying this issue during legislative interims and we are eager to find a long-term solution.
REPLY IN FEWER THAN 50 WORDS: What do you think the Legislature can do to improve work force development?: I voted to give our CTC's their own autonomy. This flexibility will allow them to focus on identifying the workforce needs of our industries and tailoring curriculum to meet those needs. Ranking low in the number of college graduates per capita, we must bolster alternative learning programs (vocational technical training, etc.)