Contact: 206 Cliffview Drive
Huntington, WV 25704
plybob@aol.com
Website:
| Name: | Robert H. "Bob" Plymale |
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| Party: | Democrat |
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| Home City: | Huntington |
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| Home County: | Wayne |
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Biography:
High School: Ceredo-Kenova High School
College: Marshall University
I am the Chief Executive Officer of the Rahall Appalachian Transportation Institute (RTI).
West Virginia Legislative Experience: Chair of Transportation (1994), Chair of Pensions (1995-2002), Chair of the Select Committee on PEIA (1995-1996), Chair of Education (2003 to present), Budget Conferee (1996 to present).
National Legislative Service: National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) Chair of Education (2006), No Child Left Behind (NCLB) National Task Force (2004-2005), Education Commission of the States 2003 to present). National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) Blue Ribbon Commission on Higher Education (2006 to present), Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) Legislative Advisory Council (2002 to present) and Southern Regional Education Board Executive Committee, (2003 to present), National Conference of State Legislators (NCSL) Federal Education Policy Taskforce, Co-chair (present).
Personal Statement:
I have been honored to serve in the State Senate since 1992 in many leadership roles. I have served as Chair of the Transportation, Pensions, and Education committees as well as a Budget Conferee during the last 16 years of legislative service. We have contributed billions of dollars to reduce the unfunded liability in our state pensions plans, reduced the food tax, eliminated the health care provider tax and cut business taxes while investing in intermodal facilities. We have also promoted economic development projects such as Pullman Square, additional public school construction as well as higher education projects such as the Biotech Building, the Fitness and Wellness Center, new dormitories and other important projects at Marshall University. I establish the initial funding for the Forensic Science Program and CODIS lab to match the federal dollars. The $450,000 every year has helped create the many positive developments that are occuring now. It is important to note that these actions have occurred without major tax or fee increases.
Our efforts in education have not been limited to the construction projects ongoing in Cabell County. We have made giant strides in our region and the state as a whole to emphasize our commitment to quality early childhood care and education. According to the 2007 The State of Preschool Yearbook (published by the National Institute for Early Education Research), West Virginia ranks 4th nationally in 4-year-old access to early education. As we move toward realization of Universal Pre-k, the example we have established in West Virginia is serving as a national model for other states to follow.
The importance of recreation with a new bike pathway system for our region is not only good for personal health it can be utilized as an alternative transportation route to school or work. I pledge to continue to work hard for our area in Charleston.
- 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?
- We have very critical needs to improve our infrastructure that include sewer, wastewater, water and creating additional industrial sites. I introduced and passed legislation (SB 569) that created the Intermodal and Rail Enhancement Fund that will assist in constructing the Prichard Intermodal Facility. I would plan on introducing similar legislation to facilitate the creation of funds and tax credits for businesses to expand or create sewer and water that will allow companies to expand their existing facilities and create additional jobs. The companies can therefore profit while the region obtains a fixed asset. One additional benefit from the legislation would be that current homeowners do not increase their sewer and water monthly charges. Workforce Development and job training are critical elements to luring additional out-of-state companies to our region. The passage of HB 3215 that creates a separate Community and Technical College System is a vital step in developing the appropriate venue for job creation. I will introduce legislation to increase funding for more job training and workforce development platforms to be available to current and new employers.
- 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?
- The State of West Virginia has not experienced the budget deficits that many states have experienced in the last 2 years. We have continued to review and reduce many of the onerous taxes such as the inventory tax and business franchise tax that has hindered job creation. We must continue to review our tax structure to ensure a fair and equitable system and make the necessary changes needed to modernize as needed. We have made some very significant changes to our tax system. It is imperative for the legislature to monitor these changes to ensure that the state is getting the proper results. I will continue to work with the City of Huntington to eliminate the most onerous of all city taxes which is the Business and Occupation Tax (B&O 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?
- Establishing a local drug crime lab would allow us to have more misdemenaor possession convictions which would be more of a deterrent. The State Police Lab cannot handle the volume of lab work needed and an alternative lab at the Marshall Univeristy Forensic Center could be used for our area. This would also help in Felonies because there would be a quicker turn around and we could move defendant's through the system and put them in prison instead of out on bond waiting on drug test results to be able to go to trial.
Another problem is the increasing amount of heroine deaths. (between 10 and 14 deaths). Senate Bill 524, which I was the lead sponsor, attempted to address this issue by placing liability on those who are manufacturing, selling or dispersing controlled substances which cause another person's death.
Senate Bill 291 will aid in the fight against drugs in Wayne County by allowing cases to be tried in a more expedited manner because not only one judge available to hear the cases.
Unfortunately almost all crimes in this area involve drugs in some manner. They (individuals) are buying drugs; selling drugs; stealing to buy drugs; domestic disputes that arise from drug abuse; killing because of a dispute over drugs. . . (the scenarios are endless) If we can create more drug treatment/rehabilitation facilities we can decrease the amount of people who are buying drugs and therefore making it impossible for others to come in and make a profit. The "Healing Place" treatment facility that has been greatly publicized in our area is something we need to support both financially and programmatically. I will work diligently to assist the implementation and completion of these plans.
SB 177 which provided for a criminal penalty for parental controlled substance activity with child present would have been helpful if it had passed because it would act as a deterrent for parents who want to keep their children. (Basically it says that if you sell or manufactures drugs in a home and children are present it is child neglect)
HB 4399 did not pass, but is a good idea because it provided that persons convicted of certain drug related crimes must participate in a substance abuse counseling program to be eligible for probation.
- 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?
- The legislature, in the last two years has increased funding and other programs to assist the West Virginia Housing Development Fund to help homeowners.
At the state level, I could work with the West Virginia Housing Development Fund, Huntington Housing Authority and the Wayne County Housing Authority to find ways to assist them in the creation and improvement of housing. This might include advocating for additional funding and/or additional powers for the Housing Development Fund. Additionally, I could explore establishing new types of incentives for both construction of new housing and making improvements to existing housing. Another area that could be reviewed is the landlord and tenant laws. The creation and improvement of housing in the area should be a joint effort for both the state and local governments. I could also work with the state's congressional delegation to ensure that we are maximizing the use of any federal funds and federal programs that might be available for this purpose.
The solutions to the decline must come from both the state and federal governments through funding and creative programs to restore existing or construct new housing.
- 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?
- Health care initiatives and improvements;
• Support and provide funding to universities, colleges, and community and technical colleges to create programs that will provide health care professionals with the skills necessary to meet the needs of our communities.
• Support programs that encourage individuals to seek professions in healthcare careers.
• Provide scholarships and loan forgiveness to individuals who are willing to work in rural underserved areas.
• Work in collaboration with our congressional delegation to develop and support healthcare plans that will decrease healthcare premiums and out of pocket expenses for health insurance.
• Work in collaboration with our congressional delegation to identify ways to decrease the cost of prescription drugs.
- 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?
- Increasing the research capacity of Marshall University is essential to attracting high-tech business and industry and stimulating economic development in our area because the University serves as an engine of economic growth through technology transfer, business incubation, and product innovation. I have always been strongly supportive of providing funds to Marshall University to enhance our research efforts and expand our program offerings in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The following are a few examples:
Sponsored bill to restore undergraduate engineering (2004);
Chaired Finance Subcommittee providing $5 million in Research Challenge Funds (2007); Chaired committee which passed SB 287 establishing WV Research Trust Fund (2008); and Chaired Finance Subcommittee providing $15 million to match private donations for research (2008). I was the lead sponsor for two major bonds (2004 and 2008) that provided over $115 million in leveraged projects for Marshall University and the Marshall Community and Technical College.
The Research Platform for Marshall was greatly enhanced when I was able to bring back the Engineering Degree back to Marshall University in SB 448 in 2004. The additional funding for the Harless Center for Rural Education has been secured in the last 3-4 years as well as the creation of the Brownfield Assistance Center. The monetary and programmatic assistance have created additional research initiatives. I pledge to continue the work have performed in the past during the next four years.
- 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?
- The conditions of our roads in the area has deteriated in the last two years partly as a result of the loss of funding due to the one year freezing of the wholesale tax on gasoline. This created an $86 million whole in the paving and repairs budget that our area and state has not been able to recover or catch up with. We also fund too many Highway Authorities in our state that do not add value to our system.
- 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?
- The working relationship with the West Virginia Department of Transportation has been very cooperative. However, additional funding is need to meet the future transportation i.e, repairs, maintenance, new construction. The Federal Highway Trust Fund is in a pending deficit. This is not only a state issue but a major federal issue that needs a solution, This funding is matched by the state but will not provide the funds needed longterm. We have replaced numerous bridges and need to accelerate the repairs and replacements in some way. The repairs to I – 64 that are ongoing were expedited by numerous meetings in our area orchestrated by our Cabell/Wayne delegation. We were experiencing many fatal accidents on I – 64 until numerous public meetings and cable barriers were installed from the Kentucky/West Virginia state line to Milton. Our delegation also insisted that all new interstate bridges be constructed to the new interstate standards that require all bridges to include an emergency lane. Three or four bridges have already been replaced to these standards in the last 2-3 years.
Develop a model similar to Vermont to utilize our (MPO's) Metropolitan Planning Organizations (KYOVA in our area) and smaller (RPO's) Rural Planning Organizations to replace these less useful Authorities model. The funding used for the Highway Authorities can be used for repairs and construction.
- 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?
- We are currently working on a state of the art trail system that will improve recreational activities in the area by connecting recreational facilities in the area with the residential community and the business community. This trail system will provide over 26 miles of a pedestrian and bicycle pathway. The benefits to the community come in two forms an economic benefit and a health benefit. Then I would talk about the increase in property values and the obesity problems in WV and how improved access to recreational facilities gives people additional resources for exercising.
- What areas of interest do you plan on focusing on as a legislator? Have you planned any legislation to be introduced?
- I have focused on Education, Economic Development, Recreation, Transportation, Infrastructure, Health Care, Libraries and several other focus areas to facilitate positive changes in our area. I will continue to work to secure funding for Marshall University and the Marshall Community and Technical College for both physical and programatic needs as well as the public school system in both Cabell and Wayne Counties. One area of focus for legislation will be developing additional funding for all infrastructure projects. The completion of a comprehensive bike pathway for our area is certainly obtainable in the next few years.
- REPLY IN FEWER THAN 50 WORDS: What do you think the Legislature can do to improve work force development?
- It is imperative that additional funds are directed towards training, adding at least $3-4 million statewide. Targeted programmatic dollars should be invested towards our growth business sectors in the state. Passage of HB 3215 this year is a major positive step in creating the elements for successful job creation.
- 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?
- First, the cities are going to need to establish a pay-back plan over a certain number of years to address their unfunded liability similar to what the state is doing with the Teacher's Retirement System. Second, the state needs to offer some assistance in providing funds to help address the unfunded liability problem.
- 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?
- In the short term, we need to focus on professional development for classroom teachers and improving school leadership. I do support some form of increased pay for specific shortage area subjects (math and science) and looking at the school calendar (180 days).
