Support & Vote Republican

A. That faith in the individual is the foundation of our future; that the basic rights guaranteed in the United States Constitution and the West Virginia Constitution must be upheld.

B. That free enterprise is essential to economic growth.

C. That all citizens are guaranteed equal rights and justice before the Law regardless of race, creed, color, age, sex or economic station in life.

D. That all citizens have the freedom to work and enjoy the fruits of their labor; that all citizens are guaranteed the freedom to contract, to own, and control their property.

E. That all citizens have the right to participate in a free economy.

F. That the honor and dignity of the Flag of the United States of America should be protected.

G. That every individual citizen of West Virginia is empowered by assuming personal responsibility for self, family and community.

H. That traditional values, education, and religious freedom are the foundation of our country's future.

SUPPORT FOR JOHN McCAIN

The Republican Party of West Virginia fully backs John McCain and his remarkable record of leadership and experience that embodies his unwavering lifetime commitment to service and his campaign to become the next President of the United States as he fights to reform Washington, eliminate wasteful government spending, strengthen our nation’s armed forces and win the war on terrorism.

STATEMENT OF INTENT

We pledge to earn the respect of the citizens of West Virginia by setting examples in government of efficiency, honesty, integrity and openness. Based on the policy statements embodied in this platform, we will undertake the necessary reforms to bring about change for all the people of West Virginia.

I. THE GOVERNMENT

We believe that governments exist to serve and protect the interests of the individual, without compromising the rights of life, liberty, property, and the pursuit of happiness. We believe that state government should provide only for those services that the individual cannot do alone and that a smaller, more accountable and fiscally responsible state government will better serve the citizens of West Virginia. Government should not grow beyond the growth in population and the rate of inflation and that budget surpluses should be returned to the taxpayers who have paid them.

We, therefore, support:

A. Providing tax relief including eliminating immediately the food tax (thereby providing each family with the equivalent of nine days of free food), the business franchise tax, and the personal property tax on equipment and machinery, and reducing the gasoline tax to promote job growth and a competitive environment as well as reducing the corporate net tax to the 6% national average.

B. Continuing the streamlining of unnecessary regulations and bureaucratic positions and departments.

C. Clarifying and enforcing our election laws, ensuring the security of ballots and ballot boxes, offering updated, practical training for poll workers, and providing adequate compensation for poll workers.

D. Establishing Initiative, Referendum and Recall to increase voters' rights.

E. Maintaining roll call voting of bills on passage in the Legislature for increased accountability along with internet posting of legislative proceedings in a timely manner and basing legislative pay raises on increases in per capita income of West Virginia families.

F. Increasing the pay and benefits of all state employees when funds are available so they are more competitive with the private sector and surrounding regions.

G. Establishing the framework for a health care system that emphasizes wellness, prevention, early detection, and choice in medical care, including medical saving accounts and other private sector solutions.

H. Improving accessibility to medical care and allowing more choice with less government control and regulation between physician and patient.

I. Implementing tort reform measures directed at reducing lawsuit abuse for all citizens, including those dealing with health care, homeowners, automobiles, and business.

J. Establishing the non-partisan election of West Virginia Supreme Court judges and including circuit judges, thereby curtailing frivolous lawsuits and lowering insurance rates while taking politics out of the court.

K. Instituting a constitutional review of the State Code.

L. Eliminating unfunded state and federal mandates which shift responsibility to lower levels of government without adequate funding;

M. Eliminating personal property and titling tax on personal automobiles and the duplicate tax.

N. Providing equitable tax reform to assist working families and reduce any competitive disadvantages for businesses in West Virginia.

O. Providing legislative reapportionment with no gerrymandering by the majority leadership, with 100 single-member House of Delegate districts and 34 separate State Senatorial districts that respect community boundaries for increased accountability.

P. Strengthening of ethics legislation and the additional empowerment of the West Virginia Ethics Commission, including the aggressive pursuit of public officials using public funds for self-promotion and personal gain.

Q. Stopping the practice of incurring new debt by the state without a vote of the people.

R. Providing good, safe working conditions and fair wages for public employees and fostering cooperation between public bodies and their employees; but we oppose collective bargaining for public employees in order that essential services are not interrupted.

S. Establishing English as the official language of West Virginia for conducting government business to minimize taxpayer expense.

T. Establishing a freeze on the further expansion of gambling with education on its addictive and detrimental family effects, with strong vigorous enforcement of all existing laws dealing with gambling.

II. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

The Republican Party of West Virginia believes that economic growth by stimulating free enterprise is necessary to our future. This must include developing a climate that encourages business investment, job creation and economic diversification

To build the economy, the Republican Party supports:

A. Adoption of the FairTax Act nationally and promoting West Virginia’s tax policies to make our state more competitive.

B. Policies that emphasize the importance of small businesses as well as corporations in the development of a strong base of employment for our state.

C. The organized promotion of West Virginia’s abundant natural resources and their responsible use, state made products and industries, including coal, wood and steel along with research and technology to promote energy conservation, development, and independence; allowing local communities more control of their economic destiny and tax incentives.

D. Eliminating or reforming the state prevailing wage rate laws so they accurately reflect the local, competitive market rates.

E. The awarding of contracts to qualified West Virginia businesses with the 5% instate preference.

F. Continuing reform of the West Virginia Workers' Compensation System to make rates comparable to neighboring states.

G. Paycheck protection where no employees can be forced through union dues to support PACS without their consent.

H. Promotion of tourism and travel opportunities in all parts of West Virginia along with the completion of highway and river transport systems, specifically the completion of Corridor H, Route 2, Route 9, Route 522, U.S. Route 50 and the Interstate 68 Extension, the Coalfields Expressway and the King Coal highway to maximize economic development. Require the Turnpike Commission to pay off the current debt without further borrowing with the tolls and the Turnpike Commission eliminated.

I. The Home Access Road Program to provide maintenance for orphan roads and make them a part of the state highway network.

J. Policies that encourage the responsible preservation of our state's environment, provide for the health and safety of our citizens, including common sense regulation, and the development of markets for recycled material as long as they are cost effective.

K. Environmental protection laws and regulations which are in accordance with Federal standards.

L. An increase in the standard deduction in computing West Virginia income tax.

M. The enforcement of licensing laws for in-state and out-of-state contractors.

N. The encouragement and development of individual entrepreneurship.

O. An end to the reliance on gambling revenues. We oppose the expansion of gambling in West Virginia.

P. A prohibition on internet taxation.

Q. The requirement of a "super majority" vote in the Legislature or a vote of the public for all state tax increases.

R. Eliminating illegal immigration so it does not take jobs from legal residents of WV and cause unnecessary drain on WV resources.

S. West Virginia’s workforce, private and public, should have the right to work regardless of union affiliation or membership.

III. EDUCATION

The Republican Party of West Virginia supports an academic, disciplined system of education that restores decision-making authority over public school policies and finances to parents, locally elected school boards and taxpayers, thus relieving and eliminating layers of bureaucracy which obstruct true education. State education dollars should be redirected from a top heavy bureaucracy to teachers and students where they are needed most. Neighborhood schools should be maintained whenever possible and practical.

We support:

A. Local control of public schools by elected officials representing parents and taxpayers, as opposed to educational bureaucracies and self-appointed bureaucratic special interest panels, councils and boards, so more money reaches the classroom.

B. The belief that teachers should be adequately compensated according to certification, experience, and effectiveness.

C. The emphasis on basic reading, writing, and mathematics skills for all students, while challenging students to reach their potential in areas that will prepare them for the future.

D. No social promotions of students who have not acquired the basic academic skills including higher education degree granting institutions, and that we insure the integrity of academic appointments so that they are made on the basis of academic credentials and qualifications rather than on the basis of political connections.

E. Revised funding mechanisms that are more flexible and provide resources where they are needed to ensure students obtain a thorough education.

F. Balanced funding for special education as well as full funding for handicapped services, staffing and Title 19 Waiver Programs for the disabled.

G. The right of all parents and/or legal guardians to choose the most appropriate education for their children, including the traditional public education, home schooling, private and/or religious education.

H. School vouchers or tax credits to promote a choice in education.

I. The strengthening of higher education, adult and community education, and the authority of the local governing boards. We support for the expansion of community colleges to continue the improvement in the college attendance rate of West Virginia high school graduates and we support of the Promise Scholarship.

J. A higher education system, insulated from excessive political influence, that promotes intellectual diversity while defending the rights of faculty and students to be treated fairly regardless of their political or religious beliefs.

K. President Bush's No Child Left Behind Act and the high standards and accountability to show where improvement is needed.

IV. PROMOTING FINANCIALLY STABLE FAMILIES

The number of people depending on government assistance must be reduced by providing training, education, and good paying jobs.

We must:

A. Continue to move West Virginians from welfare to work as quickly as possible, putting all people on a path of employment and independence.

B. Hold parents responsible for their children, ensuring that both parents fulfill the most basic financial obligations, including locating parents nationwide who are deficient in their financial obligations.

C. Support elimination of state income tax on Social Security for senior citizens, make state tax exemptions the same as those for the federal government, and eliminate of the double taxation on rental property.

D. Support and strengthen families, recognizing them as the foundation of our representative society.

E. Support shared parenting initiatives putting children first when considering custody hearings.

V. SUPPORTING THE RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS AND INCREASING SECURITY IN OUR HOMES AND COMMUNITIES

We are fortunate to live in a state with one of the lowest crime rates in the nation. We believe in strictly enforcing the existing laws when crimes have been committed and gun ownership rights.

We support the following:

A. The promotion and protection of Second Amendment rights.

B. A ban on punitive government lawsuits against manufacturers and dealers of firearms and other legal products, and stopping harassment of gun dealers because of technical paper work errors.

C. Concealed weapon permit laws with reciprocal agreements with other states and authorization on school/college campuses for those who have been properly trained and licensed.

D. The imposition of higher mandatory minimum sentencing for the use of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime.

E. Reinstatement of the death penalty for heinous crimes where the identity of the perpetrator is not an issue, where the guilty person is established with 100 per cent certainty, including with DNA testing or other evidence.

F. Fair and just punishment for the commission of violent crimes without the possibility of parole.

G. Revision of the Criminal Code for consistency and uniformity, including that dealing with mandatory sentencing guidelines, plea bargaining and parole.

H. In order to deter continued criminal conduct within the home, arrest upon probable cause of the accused person in cases of domestic abuse.

I. In addition to criminal sentencing, a requirement that criminals pay restitution to their victims, earning money through supervised work.

J. Tougher juvenile laws, coupled with more effective enforcement of violent offenders and parental responsibilities, including trying juveniles as adults in serious felony cases.

VI. AFFIRMATION OF THE INSTITUTION OF MARRIAGE,
THE RIGHT TO LIFE, AND THE QUALITY OF LIFE

A. The Republican Party believes in the importance of the institution of marriage being between a man and a woman and supports the immediate adoption of a constitutional amendment to do this. We are opposed to same-sex marriage, civil unions or any other entity or institution that is intended to gain equal or similar status or recognition as the traditional marriage of a man and a woman.

B. We believe the unborn child has a fundamental, individual right to life which must not be infringed.

C. We vigorously oppose any use of public funds for abortion. We commend the efforts of those individuals and religious private organizations which are providing alternatives to abortion.

D. We reaffirm our support for the election and appointment of judges at all levels of the judiciary who respect traditional family values and the sanctity of innocent human life.

E. We adamantly support the ban on partial birth abortion.

F. Senior citizens have the right to remain independent and to be treated equally in all matters. We support policies that protect the rights of our senior citizens to live full and productive lives and to age with dignity. We support property tax relief for senior citizens to offset the effect of inflation has had on the homestead expectation.

G. We support social welfare guidelines for accountability to prevent infringement on individual rights.

H. We honor the symbols of our American Heritage and understand that the Ten Commandants are the basis of our basic freedoms and the cornerstone of our Western legal tradition. We oppose any governmental action to restrict, prohibit, or remove any public display of our foundational documents or other religious symbols.

I. We believe that America is founded on Judeo-Christian principles, which include the idea that every individual has the right to worship according to the dictates of his or her own conscience. We affirm the constitutional right of all individuals to worship in the religion of their choice.

VII. MILITARY AND VETERANS

The State of West Virginia has the highest per capita number of veterans in the United States. Her citizens have suffered the highest casualty rate in the last four wars and have been awarded the highest per capita number of Medals of Honor.

In recognition of those Mountaineers who have served their country, the Republican Party supports:

A. Maintaining the exemption of military retired pay from West Virginia taxation.

B. Exempting Reserve and National Guard military pay from West Virginia taxation.

C. The further development of West Virginia's veterans' hospitals and facilities.

D. The appointment of more West Virginia students to all of our Nation's service academies through vigorous statewide educational promotion.

VIII. VOLUNTEERISM

Volunteerism must be encouraged to provide assistance to West Virginians in need. Neighbors, faith-based initiatives and communities, and charitable organizations should be aided in their volunteer efforts to solve social problems. Not only can assistance be provided more efficiently by such means, it can be provided more compassionately and with greater respect for the dignity of the individual when it is provided by caring members of the community rather than an impersonal bureaucracy. We urge all West Virginians to support and to become involved in such activities in their communities.

IX. CAMPAIGNS AND ELECTIONS

We believe healthy, positive, one-on-one debate is the best vehicle to discuss issues with the people during an election season. We strongly encourage a series of one-on-one debates among all candidates for statewide office. Campaigns of substance and not 30-second "soundbites" are campaigns that best serve the people. Further, elections must be clean, fair and above reproach. The practices of vote-buying, corruption and undue political influence -- too often prevalent in our history -- must be eliminated by all possible means. In order for the people to have confidence, trust and faith in our government, West Virginia government must be truly of the people, by the people and for the people. We support the photo voter ID requirements to increase the integrity of the voting processes and the authorization of poll workers to ask what party ballot independent voters may wish to receive.

CONCLUSION

The Republican Party is guided by historic maxims: better government, not bigger government; decreasing taxes increases revenues; creating jobs liberates families from government programs. To these ends the Republican Party has worked to improve our state and implemented positive changes for our citizens with the cooperation of the Legislature. Initiatives have been launched to strengthen West Virginia families, educate children and develop the economy so young West Virginians can remain in their home state.

The principles of the Republican Party have worked for over a century in the United States and around the world. As we face the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century, we know these principles work in West Virginia, and with a union of effort we will complete our mission.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

Nine public meetings were held all over West Virginia in 2008 to gain input for this 2008 Platform. Many interested citizens attended meetings in Martinsburg (May 3, 2008), Fairmont (May 10, 2008), Charleston (May 10, 2008), Parkersburg (May 17, 2008), Bluefield (May 20, 2008), Beckley (May 27, 2008), Hinton (May 29, 2008), Wheeling (June 3, 2008) and Kingwood (June 11, 2008). Many thanks to all who attended, and a special thanks to these who chaired the meetings and took the minutes.

The foregoing platform is hereby adopted by the 2008 Republican State Convention, this 21^st day of June, 2008 in Flatwoods, West Virginia.

2008 WV Republican Party Platform Committee

Delegate John Overington, Chairman

Rick Absher

Del. Tim Armstead

Ruth and Dave Astle

Donna Ault

Del. Tom Azinger

Frank and Emma Barnes

Travis Bishop

Del. Craig Blair

Sen. Donna Boley

Jack Boley

Donna Brown

Blaine A. Braithwaite

Paula Brooks

Edward R. Burgess

Jerry Burke

Carroll Butler

Chuck & Michelle Carpenter

Kiffie Carr

Ruth Collins

Wayne Conner

Gillis and Vicky Cornette

Dr. Joseph DeSoto

Ed Dolphin

Judith C. Dolphin

Del. Walter Duke

Anne N. Dungan

Betsey Dungan

Gary Dungan

Dr. Joe Ellington

Alvin L. Engelke

Sally W. Ezell

Bob Fish

Bill Foley

Cindy Frich

John and Rickie Fuller

Brenda Garcia

Joe Garcia

Chester E. Gates, Jr.

Marty Gearhart

Fred Gillespie

Leslie W. Given

Patty Glessner

Donna Lou Gosney

Dan Greear

Richard Grogan

J. Ryan Grogg

Rusty Guin

Todd Gunter

Pete Haluski

Gary Howell

John Hudson

Karen Johnson

Fred H. Joseph

Sam Kasley

Doris Kasley

Nancy Kogoy

Darla Kuhn

Gladys Lafferty

David E. Lake

Deidre Lake

Dewey S. Largent

Mary Ann Lewis

Beverly G. Lockhart

Ed Long

Joe and Julia Long

Kyle Long

Beverly Lund

Steve Mancini

Steve and Tammy Massie

Kenneth Mays

Robert Maguire

Elgine McArdle

Kevin McCoy

Cindy McCrobie

Hallie Mcginnis

Dr. Doug McKinney

Sue McKinney

Paula McLure

Larry Medley

Jean Meeks

Bob Meissner

John Miller

Comm. Rick Modesitt

Ron Morris

Carole L. Newsome

Stan and Janet Norman

John Parkin

Kevin Patrick, Jr.

Lisa Peana

Alice Pettit

Gregory Pettit

Jim Poore

Melody Potter

Lewis H. Rexroad

Marty Riggall

Dean Riley

Connie Robertson

Allen Ross

Ann Sampson

Charlie Schlegel

Ron Seaton
Dereck Severt

Rick Shaffer

Willie Shank

Martin Sheehan

John H. Shot

Greg Smith

Edgar Snyder

Roberta Sorg

Judy Sparkman

Pat Stanton

Rick Starn

Lynn Staton

Angela Summers

Lillie Sumner

Del. Linda Sumner

Greta Swann

James Swann

Priscilla Thiel

Don Tobin

Joan Tomasik

Buddy Turner

Chris Wakim

Chris Walters

Ruth Webb

Jeanette Weeks & Tom Weeks

Russ and Helen Weeks

John D. Wilshere

Michelle Wilshere

Jay Wolfe

Jack David Woodrum

Virginia Zetty