State House 15 (3) (West Virginia)

Carol Miller

Contact: (304)697-6540 Email: carolmiller2006@aol.com
Website:

Name:Carol Miller
Party:Republican
Home City:Huntington
Home County:Cabell

Biography:

Small business owner,property manager,Swann Ridge Bison Farm.Born in Columbus, Ohio, daughter of Congressman Samuel and Betty Devine. Married to Matt Miller 35 years this month. Sons, Sam, and Chris (wife Cassie,grandson Fletcher).Graduated from Bexley High School and Columbia College. Certified to teach on the secondary level. Volunteered in the Cabell Co. schools 17 years. Member of Fifth Ave. Baptist Church,sing in the choir. Member of Milton Rotary Club, National Bison Association, NRA, Farm Bureau,Women to Women of the Chamber of Commerce, Musical Arts Guild, Board Member of the Marshall University Society of Yeager Scholars, and the Women's Heart Advisory Board of the St. Mary's Regional Heart Institute. Many other Boards and Committees through 34 years of being involved in our community.

Personal Statement:

Thank you for allowing me to serve as your legislator in the WV House of Delegates. I am a member of the Government Organization Committee in the Legislature. This committee oversees the many government entities and their functions. This has given me a deeper understanding of the many issues that face the City of Huntington and other municipalities within the state. I am also the only female member of the House of Delegates Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources. We have a large rural area in District 15 and as a bison farmer, my input has been useful on this committee. I also serve on the Industry and Labor/Economic Development and Small Business Comittee. These committees were a good fit for my district. As a business owner and property manager, I am a practical nuts and bolts type of person. I have a great interest in the issues considered by these committees. I am a problem solver and I work hard to take care of constituents’ concerns and needs. Having served my freshman term in the Legislature, I would be honored to be returned in 2009 as one of your three Delegates representing District 15.
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?
It is not the government’s responsibility to create jobs, but rather to pass legislation creating the environment conducive for commerce to flourish and thus job growth. Focus on new technology such as liquefied coal, biotech, & increased use of our assets, river and rail, to transport products to world markets.
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?
If we expect less tax revenue as a state, then cut government waste. Our citizens and seniors need tax relief. 85% of our state’s businesses are small businesses. By reducing their tax burden, they reinvest money locally, which positively impacts our schools, police, and emergency services. Also, eliminate food tax.
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?
Our police force is the crucial component in reducing drug activity. We need coordination between all law enforcement agencies. I was involved with the legislation in 2007 which addressed the Mullins decision relating to wire tapping. Direct state resources to M.U’s forensics program to help facilitate drug convictions.
Over the past 10 years the housing stock in several cities 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?
I served on the legislative interim committee for nine months which studied the issue of dilapidated housing. The problem exists throughout our state. Many property owners live out of state and oftentimes do not maintain their structures. We passed legislation that allows municipalities to deal with these problems on a local level. We need to take responsibility for our own neighborhoods and restore the sense of community, pride and spirit. I see these attempts occurring in the various neighborhood association meetings of which I attend on a regular basis. I strongly support programs like Habitat for Humanity and the Youthbuild program within the Housing Authority which helps our youth channel their positive energy towards assisting with the housing needs of our community.
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 for the past two years, health care is one of the many issues I hear often from constituents. With the rising cost of insurance and prescription drugs and West Virginia having one of the oldest populations in the nation, this is an issue that needs addressed. I advocate tax credits and medical savings accounts. With West Virginia having a high rate of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease, prevention and education are the key! Starting in Elementary School, it is important to teach our children about nutrition and exercise. I am a member of the Women’s Heart Advisory Board at St. Mary’s Regional Heart Institute. I also support healthy lifestyle initiatives.
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?
Of course research and the furtherance of higher education are important—we are the home of Marshall University. What impacts our university directly affects our community. The Governor and the Legislature were responsive to the Bucks for Brains concept. We voted recently to fund this initiative. We need to encourage private funding as well as state dollars. Vandalia is a good example of the private sector linking up with the public sector. Another prime example is the success of the Triad in North Carolina. Imagine the economic impact and excitement generated by this endeavor. I will always support bringing revenue to Marshall and to our community.
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?
W.V. has the sixth largest road system in the nation. The roadways are always in need of constant repair and maintenance. I voted for SB 72 to extend the Route 2 Interstate 68 Authority through Jackson, Mason, and Cabell counties. The bill was not successful having died in the Senate. For decades Rt. 2 has needed to be four lanes. Good roads lead to economic development and better paying jobs. I will work to complete the lifesaving cable barriers and to allocate funds for additional maintenance equipment to ensure they are kept in appropriate working order. I have worked with the D.O.H. this year to create a semi permanent sign to commemorate the loss of a loved one (and to serve as a reminder to please drive safely). These signs are an option for families who would like to place a memorial at a particular site. The person would pay the expense of the sign and at the end of three years, they could decide to extend the time the sign would stay up, or be given the sign at that time.
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 served on the legislative interim committee studying infrastructure. There are many roads and bridges that need to be improved. I have attended the Route 10 coalition meetings. I have great interest in this road and what needs to be done to reduce the accidents as well as facilitate the traffic flow. I will continue to work on this issue. The replacement of the 5th Ave. bridge in Guyandotte is also in the future. The Federal Highway Administration has approved the environmental assessment for this project. There will be an informational meeting on April 24th to discuss the issue with the D.O.H.
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 been very supportive of the Park Board and its many projects throughout Cabell Co, as well as the parks in Hamlin. I have been involved with the Ritter Park playground since its inception, and now in its second phase. The walking and bike trail being proposed along the flood wall is of great interest as well. This ties in with the health and well being of our citizens. These parks and recreational trails are vital for mental and physical fitness. I will continue to work to complete McClelland Park in Highlawn. I have also seen firsthand the success of April Dawn Park in Milton.
What areas of interest do you plan on focusing on as a legislator? Have you planned any legislation to be introduced?
My largest commitment is to creating the environment to help make our state more competitive with our surrounding states. We have our own assets that need to be used to their best advantage. I will take the next eight months to finalize plans on further legislation. I don’t believe in proposing bills for the sake of proposing bills. I believe in efficiency in government, and in enforcing the laws that already exist, instead of just piling on more for the sake of looking like I am productive.
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 family has hosted several foreign exchange students. Seventh graders already had calculus. There isn’t a magic number of school days that will solve this disparity. Start in kindergarten instilling the importance of learning. Science and math are key to compete in a world market.
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?
We have an obligation to protect the promised retirement benefits of our municipalities. Increase flexibility on funding options. Research viable options to increase a return on their investments. The state has two entities available, the Board of Treasury Investments and W.V. Consolidated Public Retirement Board.
REPLY IN FEWER THAN 50 WORDS: What do you think the Legislature can do to improve work force development?
Due to the pending retirement of the “baby boomers” our large employers are in need of an educated workforce. With the separation of the Community and Technical Colleges, the state has provided the flexibility to combine training and education to fit our workforce needs.