Roger A. Decanio for House, 30th District
805 Daverton Rd.
Charleston WV 25303
343-1514
www.rogerdecanio.com
I want to take the opportunity to listen and learn from everyone on the campaign at every opportunity. I have had prior experience in government and West Virginia politics as a Congressional staff assistant to Bob Wise from 1992-1996. I also have a Masters in Public Administration from Marshall and I am an attorney who fights for West Virginians. I have the experience to hit the ground running. I will do my very best to be your advocate in the House. Below are some of the issues I believe are vital to West Virginia’s future growth.
The Economy:
The high paying jobs of tomorrow are in high technology and biotechnology and that is where we should be focusing a greater share of our precious development dollars. WVU and Marshall are expanding in the Kanawha Valley. I would like to greater assist the universities research and development programs to develop high-technology, intellectual property and partner with the private sector to help develop start-up companies in our state. This private – public partnership will spark investment in the area and job growth. The Silicon Valley got its start in this way. Michigan is also implementing a similar plan. Lockheed is investing in West Virginia to make a biometrics laboratory. This is what West Virginia needs to attract more of to improve our competitiveness. West Virginia also needs to foster and grow a new generation of skilled workers to replace the retiring generation of workers. We should partner with our unions like the AFL-CIO, educators, technical colleges, universities and industry in developing an apprentice program for the 21st century. We also need a work environment where workers are given the freedom to organize and to be free to work from undue pressure. This is a human right I support and demand. That is what I support the Employee Free Choice Act and the Worker Freedom Bill. West Virginia’s economy will grow if government, labor and the private sector all work together in a symbiotic relationship to give us an opportunity to grow.
Education:
I propose to strengthen the Promise Scholarship program that Governor Wise helped enact by making technical college and university education free to as many West Virginia students that we can. It should be our goal that every student with a certain GPA be offered tuition in areas that will develop future economic growth such as science, computer sciences, medicine, mathematics, engineering, education, high skilled labor areas our economy will need for the 21st century. The only stipulation is that these young students agree to live and work in West Virginia. Moreover, 5,500 teachers will be eligible for retirement this spring. Consequently, we need compensate our teacher’s salaries consistent with the national average to retain and attract more teachers.
Health Care:
Since Bush took office, the number of Americans without health insurance has climbed to 45 million. I propose enacting a Health Care Bill of Rights to make it a right to be able to choose your doctor regardless of the coverage and stop discriminating for pre-existing conditions. I would also like to emulate what is now underway in Massachusetts and Michigan. I would establish a system where employers who currently offer no health insurance plan, or individuals and small business can pay into a fund that is matched by the state. That fund is then used to purchase health insurance. This will ensure universal coverage in West Virginia.
Other Important Goals:
We need creative new solutions to develop a hi-tech infrastructure ensuring everyone has access to quality broadband and wireless access around the state, and embrace new technologies. Cities like Philadelphia and Corpus Christi, TX, are investing in their own city-wide wireless networks. West Virginia should pursue similar efforts. West Virginia should be ground zero for freeing us from foreign oil dependency by developing clean solutions of coal liquefaction and sequestration. We further need to have the foresight to designate some of our revenues into some sort of economic development bank to attract new business, new families, and a new hope for tomorrow. We have work to do. I do not have all the answers, but together, we can work for a better and brighter future.
