Contact: P. O. Box 9006Huntington, WV 25704delegatestephens@comcast.net
Website: stephensforhouse.com
| Name: | Dale Stephens |
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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:
1978 Graduated from Wayne High School: 1993 B. A. from Marshall University: Employed Wayne County Schools: Member of Local 1353, WVEA, WVSSPA; Huntington Municipal Development Authority; Cabell County 911 Advisory Board: Cabell County Community Service Organization(CCCSO); Barboursvile Lions Club:Elks 313; Friends of the Library; Huntington Lodge 53 AM/FM; Moose; NRA; Sons of the Legion, Post 16; and member of the West Virginia House of Delegates 2001-02; an 2505-present.
Personal Statement:
It has been a honor to represent the citizens of the 16th District for 3 terms. During this time many good pieces of legislation has been enacted. I would appreciate your vote and support on Nov. 4.
- 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 to continue to make WV a more attractive place to do business and raise a family. Continuing to be fiscally responsible will help along with strongly supporting our education system. esp. Marshall. Marshall is experiencing great growth .Tri-State Airport is important as well, and we should take adv. of recent inc. in traffic. The State must help our cities. Address dilapidated housing.
- 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?
- During the past four years the Legislature and Governor has responsibly cut taxes for working people and businesses while at the same time using surplus to pay off long-term debts.We've cut food tax in half, lowered business taxes, and provided credits for low income. We need to cut more and will be in an fiscally responsible manner. These savings along with a strong "Rainy Day" fund,which we have will help WV weather the current economic downtown that nation is facing.
- 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 need to make sure we appropriate the necessary funding to equipment our offiers who are on the street working to protect our citizens. We needs to address legislation with financial support to also support rehab centers. Will continue to strongly support The Healing Place for Huntington. More beds are needed across state for rehab.
- Over the past 10 years the housing stock in several citites 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 candidate declined to answer this question.
- 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?
- The candidate declined to answer this question.
- 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 candidate declined to answer this question.
- 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 candidate declined to answer this question.
- 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 candidate declined to answer this question.
- 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?
- The candidate declined to answer this question.
- What areas of interest do you plan on focusing on as a legislator? Have you planned any legislation to be introduced?
- The candidate declined to answer this question.
- 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?
- Contrary to some opinions, we have a good school system in WV Test scores are going up and more money is spent on technology, some I have supported for years. Last year, I supported HB 4368 , a bill to revise the safe school legislation of 1995. HB 4368 gives more authority to teachers and service personnel in addressing chronically disruptive students. This legislation came about after a study that showed up to 25% of instructional time was lost to disruptive students. Once full implemented, I think HB 4368 will greatly increase instructional time. Additionally, I support more emphasis on early childhood education. Esp. the 4 year old program, and will as prioritizing the math and science curriculum to all students.
- 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?
- Senate Bill 667 was introduced during the past session. I believe this could have been a tool to help refinance the current debt and over a longer term helping in making their pension solvent. As we consider to refinance we must also make sure we had additional oversight. I believe a similar bill will be introduced in 2009.
- REPLY IN FEWER THAN 50 WORDS: What do you think the Legislature can do to improve work force development?
- We need to continue working with our colleges, community colleges, and business men and women in developing the needs for our work force. Those businesses that show an increase in growth should receive a tax incentive. With the proper training we will be able to offer better paying jobs.
