Spending is Not Solution to Better WV
SPENDING IS NOT SOLUTION TO BETTER WVState GOP Head Says Judicial Raises, Spending Leading To Crisis
CHARLESTON, W.VA. – Pay raises and spending increases seem to be the only business being conducted in the Legislature this session.
“I am deeply disappointed that the Legislature apparently has no understanding of the economic challenges facing West Virginia families," said Mike Stuart, Chairman of the West Virginia Republican Party. “In the coming week, Legislators are set to vote on a massive pay raise for all judges and across the board raises for teachers and public employees. At the same time, Legislators have rejected reducing the food tax, have failed to consider tax reductions, or to address our pension crisis. Not a single dollar has been cut from the state budget. The Democrat-controlled Legislature is out of touch with working families.”
“The problems with our court system and our failing schools will not be solved by throwing more money at the problems,” said Stuart.
“We need real reforms – civil justice reform, education reform, electoral reform and economic reform. The Democrat-controlled legislature seems to think more spending is the answer.”
“Our public school system is failing our kids. We need real education reform – cut administrative waste, incentive compensation, locality pay, charter schools, and a process to more easily fire bad teachers,” said Stuart. “Unfortunately, without serious reform, our students will continue to be short-changed and our pension problems will only grow.”
“As for our judges,” continued Stuart, “It is unconscionable that the Democrat-controlled Legislature would even consider massive pay raises on this scale. It is extremely costly and beyond common sense. It is hurtful to our state.”
“Per capita income is a mere $32,000 in West Virginia and the average person has no pension. If passed, a Justice would make $150,000 and get a pay raise almost equal to the average West Virginian’s per capital income. A Circuit Judge would get a raise of $21,000, and a Family Court Judge would get a whopping $34,800 or 43% pay raise. And what about their pensions? Spending is out of control,” said Stuart.
Six years ago, the judiciary last received raises of between 20 percent and 25 percent.
“We are headed for a real crisis. While I respect our judges and teachers, how do you look a newly unemployed person or a family that lost its home to foreclosure in the eye and say massive pay raises will make your life better," concluded Stuart. “The Legislature is failing our West Virginia family. If they pass these measures, they will pay heavily in the next election as I make sure our citizens are fully aware of this betrayal.”
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Paid for by the WV Republican Party
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