Contact: P.O. box 117
Huntington, WV 25706
304 523 6120
Website: www.delegatejim.com
| Name: | Jim Morgan |
|---|
| Party: | Democrat |
|---|
| Home City: | Huntington |
|---|
| Home County: | Cabell |
|---|
Biography:
Life long resident of Huntington. Graduated from Huntington High School (1955) and WVU (1959) with a BS in agricultural sciences. Married, for 47 years, to the former Betty Ainslie. Four children, six grandchildren. Owned and operated Morgan's office products, Stationers-Morgans, and Stadium Bookstore, now retired. I have been active in many civic and charitable organizations: President of the Chamber of Commerce, Huntington Symphony Orchestra, WV Retail Association; director Cammack Children's Center and Treasurer Stella Fuller Settlement. I am a licensed lay reader and preacher at Trinity Episcopal Church where I have been treasurer and a Sunday School teacher for 27 years.
Personal Statement:
I have served in the Legislature for six terms and feel each session has been an improvement on the preceding. During my time in office I have supported the major building construction at Marshall, the development of Pullman Square, and numerous grants for other community and development projects. This past session, I sponsored several bills that were signed into law to help Huntington in the work to remove dilapidated buildings and other tax delinquency issues. I enjoy the legislative process and believe I have served the area well and ask for your vote to continue my work.
- 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?
- I propose continuing to work for improved infrastructure and plant location sites. We must provide skilled, trained labor either as needed or provide specialized training to meet specific needs. My district has call centers now and this type of operation seems to allow flexible hours which will accommodate full and part time persons. Light manufacturing, such as auto parts suppliers, are a desired 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?
- The past legislative began a series of changes to "update" our tax system which I certainly support. The completion of a new computer system will allow flexibility for cities and counties for tax collection. I would work for revenue neutrality in tax changes.
- 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?
- The best way to fight drugs is with a fully staffed police department. Funding from the state and federal government to do this is always helpful.
I supported legislation with various delegates for increased penalties for crimes relating to drugs. More legislation is only helpful when a drug dealer has been apprehended so I support aid to law enforcement.
- 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?
- Bills which I introduced and that passed this session will give cities more tools to catalog, upgrade, or remove dilapidated housing. This will allow neighborhoods to be "cleaned up" making the remaining housing more desirable.
- 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?
- We need to be sure that everyone has access to health care with some type of insurance. Basic care and examination will allow many sicknesses to be prevented or treated early rather than later when treatment is always more expensive. The continued funding of charitable clinics is also desirable.
- 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?
- This was a very good year for funding for MU. Various bills had dollars for possible construction of a new community college center and funds to offset this change for MU. Naturally, the "Bucks for Brains" legislation will provide both money and the incentive to raise dollars for research turning into production of products. A bill to adjust the retirement match will make recruiting staff more attractive.
- 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 is burdened with more roads than dollars to repair. An estimate of being able to build, repair, or replace what is needed for WV roads and bridges is over $20 billion (that's 20 with a "B"). Passage of the public/private partnership is a start toward innovative concepts for future road construction solutions.
- 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?
- Same answer as #7
- 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 need to find a way to provide funds for the continual upkeep of the Huntington park system. My fellow delegates and senators have secured several grants to provide funds for the new playground in Ritter Park. We are currently working to help relieve some of liability issues that the park system faces.
- What areas of interest do you plan on focusing on as a legislator? Have you planned any legislation to be introduced?
- I have the privilege to serve a chairman of the House Government Organization Committee which oversees all state agencies and boards.
I sponsored, often with other delegates, over 50 pieces of legislation ranging from environmental issues to licensing of elevator repair persons. I am currently working on legislation to help allow volunteers to work across state lines in times of major disasters, Of course, I am happy to introduce legislation that any member of the public may request.
- 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?
- Education in West Virginia can be improved by allowing teachers to teach without all the current constraints. The state school aid formula needs to be further adjusted so that there is a larger local share with flexibility for local decisions on pay, different instruction techniques, and training and instruction days.
- 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 needs to allow the cities to "piggyback" on to existing taxes with a small additional amount dedicated to paying down the unfunded liabilities and assist them with restructuring current pay down terms.
- REPLY IN FEWER THAN 50 WORDS: What do you think the Legislature can do to improve work force development?
- Be sure every student, traditional and disadvantaged, receives an adequate education. See that that those with technical ability get the correct training. Interview businesses for changing needs and design programs to meet those needs. Continue to provide more training partners and more programs.
