State House 18 (1 seat) (Cabell) (West Virginia)

Kelli Sobonya (i)

Contact: Sobonya4wvhouse@aol.com or P.O. Box 367, Barboursville WV 25504
Website: www.vote4Kelli.com

Name:	Kelli Sobonya (i)
Party:	Republican
Home City:	Barboursville
Home County:	Cabell

Biography:

AGE: 49

EDUCATION: Institute of Computer Management - Pittsburgh, PA.

CURRENT OFFICE OR OCCUPATION (INCLUDE SPECIFIC YEARS SERVED): LEGISLATOR- WV House of Delegates (2002 to present) - Member: House Committees on Judiciary, Constitutional Revision, Legislative Rule Making & Review & Minority Chair - Energy Industry & Labor
REALTOR - Century 21 Homes & Land, Inc. (Licensed in 1998 to present).

OTHER WORK HISTORY: Marshall University School of Medicine.

CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS: Civil Air Patrol; NRA; Rotary Club; Chamber of Commerce; Chair, Public Affairs Committee - Barboursville Women’s Club; Indian Rock Garden Club of Salt Rock; Farm Bureau; Beta Sigma Phi; National Conference of State Legislatures; Advisory Board - WV Habitat for Humanity; National Association of Realtors; Government Affairs Committee - West Virginia Association of Realtors; Huntington Board of Realtors; Harley Owners Group; Huntington-Cabell Republican Women; National & WV Federation of Republican Women.

FAMILY: Married to Ed Sobonya (30 years); Daughter - Abby; Son - Andrew; Daughter-in-law - Tiffany and two grandsons - Isaiah & Brayden.

Personal Statement:

I view position of legislator as a being a public “servant” instead of “politician.” I’ve stood firm as a friend of the taxpayer and against excessive regulation that limits our individual liberties and drives job opportunities out of our state. I read every bill before casting a vote. For nine years I have not missed a vote & was honored by the House Clerk for my 100% voting record. I’m consistently endorsed as a pro-jobs legislator & lead-sponsored legislation to protect our children (Logan’s Law & Haven’s Law). I humbly ask for your vote as together we move WV forward!

50 WORDS OR LESS: Would you support West Virginia establishing an independent commission to redistrict congressional and legislative districts? Why or why not?: Yes. We tried to amend the redistricting bill to require an independent commission for future restricting. West Virginia is one of a few states to allow milti-member districts. Legislators shouldn't draw their own boundaries & should put the citizens' best interests first rather than protecting their own.
50 WORDS OR LESS: What should the legislature do to balance the increasing demand for West Virginia’s energy resources while improving the quality of life and the environment?: Federal/State laws have led to technological changes allowing us to extract energy resources in a way that is far less damaging to the environment. Our leaders must make regulatory decisions instead of the un-elected EPA and be mindful of the impact our decisions have on utility costs of our citizens.
50 WORDS OR LESS: What proposals do you have for improving teacher evaluations?: Student interests should always come first. I supported HB4236 relating to improving teacher evaluations. More than half of our tax dollars is dedicated to public education and it’s imperative that we focus on students mastering their grade level skills before being promoted to the next level.
50 WORDS OR LESS: Would you improve funding for higher education including both four-year programs and community colleges? Explain.: I supported the FY13 budget bill which includes additional appropriation for both Marshall & Mountwest CTC above what they received in last year’s budget. I’ve also supported “Bucks for Brains” & improving research & biotech funding as well as giving higher education institutions additional flexibility in their governance.
50 WORDS OR LESS: What else does the state need to do to fight drug and substance abuse?: We passed the Governor’s substance abuse bill this session. We also need to get better results out of tax dollars we are currently spending for prevention, interdiction, intervention, rehabilitation and incarceration. More emphasis on getting people off drugs rather than spending more money on incarceration which offers little rehabilitation.
50 WORDS OR LESS: Do you favor more funding for drug treatment? If so, how would you come up with the funds?: I’m lead sponsor of the West Virginia Addictions Treatment and Recovery Act which would dedicate a percentage of existing revenue from the wholesale price of alcohol without raising taxes. WV has one of the highest funded rainy day accounts nationally & no reason we can‘t make this a priority.
50 WORDS OR LESS: What would you do about prison overcrowding?: Most offenders are incarcerated due to an addiction problem. Justice reinvestment solutions have been presented but ignored by the ruling party. Instead, they gave $100 million subsidies to out-of-state casino owners & expanded criminal record expungement. I support National Council of State Government’s study which reduced other state prison populations.
50 WORDS OR LESS: How would you curb copper theft?: As a member of the Judiciary Committee we’ve worked on several bills to help curb copper theft & to criminalize the disruption of communication services or public utility services and for illegal possession, sale, or purchase of stolen scrap metal. Proposals shouldn’t over burden law abiding scrap metal dealers.
50 WORDS OR LESS: What do you think about the current magistrate education requirements?: WV has one of the lowest educational attainment levels in America. We must strive to change that statistic. We can phase in changes with a grandfather clause. Current state law permit’s someone with a GED education level to serve as magistrate judge. Many states require at least an associate’s degree.
50 WORDS OR LESS: Should the state establish intermediate appellate courts?: Although the Supreme Court made recent changes, WV should join the majority of states & allow individuals and businesses to appeal an adverse court decision and automatically be heard. Perception is reality. Job creators need predictability to invest in our state. Having such a system would raise our judicial rankings.
50 WORDS OR LESS: What do you think about right-to-work laws?: Texas (RTW state) and Alaska (NON-RTW) both had 11% job growth. The legislature needs to take a comprehensive look at all job creation factors--not just the issue of right to work. Such factors include infrastructure, work force quality, standard of living, geographic location, tax rates, school system, court system, etc.
50 WORDS OR LESS: What ideas do you have for workforce development?: Tailor our workforce to meet the needs of the jobs in a respective area through community and technical colleges and four year institutions. Partner with businesses so they know what training to offer. We must also ensure a drug-free workforce.
50 WORDS OR LESS: What do you think about the recent education audit?: West Virginia is top-heavy in government bureaucracy in education. $24 million could be saved in 5 years if we reduced the size of our State Dept. of Education to the equivalent size of other states. Millions more could be saved by following other cost savings suggestions found in the audit.
50 WORDS OR LESS: What else could the state do to improve nutrition in schools?: I supported healthy lifestyles legislation. We unfortunately have an “eat & go” society. Obesity & poor nutrition can be a symptom of poverty. Improve federal & state nutritional guidelines. Nutritional food is more costly. Therefore, we need to value health more; make it a priority; use budgeted dollars more wisely.
50 WORDS OR LESS: What do you think needs to be done to reduce the dropout rate?: Identify who’s dropping out; why they are dropping out; and from what schools are they more likely to drop out and then work to address it. Teach students to value education (dropping out will make them more likely to be incarcerated, unemployed, earn lower wages, or be single parents).
50 WORDS OR LESS: Does West Virginia need a lieutenant governor position?: We don’t need to grow the size & cost of government. WV currently has a lieutenant governor as proscribed by the Constitution and Code in the Senate President. Instead, our constitution can simply be amended to clarify line of succession & eliminate the uncertainty of “ACTING Governor & Senate President.
50 WORDS OR LESS: What should the Legislature do to help West Virginia build an economy less reliant on extraction industries?: Encourage private investment through legal reform, eliminating tax on inventory and equipment, establishing intermediate court of appeals with an automatic right of appeal, requiring non-partisan election of judges, regulatory reform that will justify new government regulations (Jobs Impact Statement) and periodic review of the effectiveness and impact of regulatory requirements.
50 WORDS OR LESS: In order to continue meeting West Virginia's balanced budget requirement, what specific programs would you cut or eliminate?: Repeal SB550 that gives a $100 million slot machine subsidy to out-of-state casino owners. Sweep state accounts--$477 million in agency surpluses--positions in state government are funded yet not filled for years. The Budget & Spending Transparency Act I’ve sponsored will help target, identify, & cut wasteful government spending.
50 WORDS OR LESS: Are there any recommendations from the recent education audit that you think should be implemented?: Decentralize State Department of Education; empower local school boards, principles, teachers and parents. Unlike most states, State Department of Education staffing is top heavy for the number of students in our state; implement changes in purchasing requirements; integrate IT systems. Direct savings to the classroom to increase student achievement.
50 WORDS OR LESS: Do you favor West Virginia opting in to the federal Medicaid program under the health care reform act? How would you pay for it?: No. This federal program will sink us. Opting in to Obamacare would raise taxes on millions of Americans, including West Virginians, & increase debt on our children. We should eliminate the waiting list for in-home care for elderly to age in place & open markets for increased affordability & access.
50 WORDS OR LESS: Do you think the home rule pilot program should be extended and/or expanded?: No. While I recognize municipalities need more flexibility & am open to seeking ways to accomplish this, I voted against the Home Rule Pilot Project. Our constitution doesn’t allow special powers be given to cherry-picked municipalities. Our West Virginia citizens are taxed enough already. I don’t support taxation without representation.