Contact: 1900 Kanawha Blvd. E.
Room 228-E
Charleston, WV 25303
304-340-3350
Website: www.KevinJCraig.com
| Name: | Kevin J. Craig |
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| Party: | Democrat |
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| Home City: | HUNTINGTON |
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| Home County: | Cabell |
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Biography:
Education: Graduated from Milton High School - 1987
University of Notre Dame (BBA) 1991; Georgia Southern University (MBA) 1996; U.S. Army Airborne School 1992; U.S. Army Officer Basis Course - Artillery 1992.
Employment - Vice President of Business Development - Natural Resource Partners L.P., Huntington, WV.
Wife - Rebecca Melton Craig
Children - Rebecca and John
Board of Directors - Cammack Children's Center, Marshall Artist Series, Huntington Regional Chamber of Commerce, West Virginia Chamber of Commerce, Boys and Girls Club of Huntington, and the Tri-State Area Council - Boy Scouts of America.
Personal Statement:
I have had the honor and privilege of representing the counties of Cabell and Lincoln in the West Virginia House of Delegates since 2001. During that time, we have made significant progress in areas that will make West Virginia more competitive in the global marketplace. We have put West Virginia's financial house in order by paying down our unfunded liabilities, and are poised to grow our economy. I remain committed to working for Jobs, Families and Education as the three pillars of a healthy state and the keys to improving the quality of life for all citizens of West Virginia.
- 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 must continue our efforts to ensure that West Virginia is competitive with surrounding states in our economic development efforts. I believe bio tech, light manufacturing and energy companies are a good fit for our area. I will continue to support legislation that encourages partnerships between our educational institutions like Marshall and the Community and Technical College and private industry.
- 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?
- Tax revenue is not expected to decline, although the revenue growth rate is projected to slow. I have introduced and supported tax reductions in the "food" tax, business franchise tax and the corporate net income tax. I have also supported, for our area, the Tax Increment Financing option as a tool to encourage economic development.
- 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?
- We must continue to work with our judicial leaders, prosecutors and local law enforcement to make sure they have the tools they need to fight crime. We must also emphasize the "Anti-Drug" message in our schools and in our homes.
- 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?
- Creating jobs and a healthy economy will help to revitalize our housing stock in Huntington. We must find a solution to the declining population base in our municipalities. We also passed legislation that gives the municipalities tools to deal with abandoned and dilapidated 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?
- I will continue to focus on access to affordable healthcare in our communities. We must focus on our "Healthy Lifestyles" message and encourage everyone to excercise, focus on proper nutrition and see a doctor for a baseline exam. If we prevent illness we can certainly provide affordable care.
- 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?
- The research efforts at Marshall are critical to the economic success of our area. We recently passed a bill, "Bucks for Brains" that will provide a $15 million endowment for research projects at Marshall. Marshall University will be responsible for raising $15 million to match the state grant. The total will provide a significant platform from which the research and development efforts at Marshall will grow.
- 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 roads in our district need work. We recently increased the road paving budget and I expect the conditions of the road system to improve. I will continue to work with our DOH District office to make sure our roads are maintained and the concerns of our citizens are addressed.
- 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 stay in contact with our DoH District leaders and work to address local concerns. With regard to bridges, we must find a way to replace the 5th Avenue Bridge in E. Huntington. This is a priority and must be addressed.
- 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 will continue to work to see the completion of the new playground in Ritter Park, April Dawn Park in Milton, and the city wide trail system that the Rahall Transportation Institute has worked with the Greater Huntington Park Board design and integrate into a recreational plan.
- What areas of interest do you plan on focusing on as a legislator? Have you planned any legislation to be introduced?
- I continue to focus on Jobs, Families and Education. Throughout my eight years serving in the Legislature I have introduced bills that encourage job creation, and economic development. Certainly, our educational system and healthcare providers play a key role in the development of our area. I look forward to continuing to focus on issues that improve the quality of life for all West Virginians.
- 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?
- I believe that we must focus on improving our performance in math and science as a fundamental goal of improving overall education and economic development in West Virginia. To accomplish this goal we need to encourage our students and teachers to pursue math/science by partnering with the private sector.
- 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?
- The state must assist in ensuring that the municipal police and fire pension plans remain solvent and stable. It is critical that we protect the retirement benefits earned by those that protect our citizens. The state should provide professional investment services to each plan and partner to provide funding solutions.
- REPLY IN FEWER THAN 50 WORDS: What do you think the Legislature can do to improve work force development?
- We have made progress in workforce development by allowing our community and technical colleges greater flexibility to work with the private sector employers to develop training programs. We must continue to link employer needs for skilled labor with our work force development efforts to match trained workers with available jobs.
