CONSOLIDATING SOUTHERN COUNTIES FOR HUNTING

I offer this plan of county consolidation as a way to bring new revenue to our state coffer’s. But also to be a cost reduction to all tax payer’s via government job eradication. Of the nearly 70,000 state employees, this plan will eliminate between 1,200 to 1,500. Just a start to my overall goal to completely eliminate 16,000 to 20,000.

Effected entire counties: Lincoln, Mercer, McDowell, Wyoming, Roane, Logan, Mingo and Monroe.Effected partial counties: Putnam, Kanawha, Raleigh, Summers, Wayne, Greenbrier, Fayette, Nicholas, Clay, Braxton and Randolph.

Through this plan a yearly savings in government related costs of $134 million should be realized. Less government equals less restrictions and costs.

With the re-introduction of Elk, along with Big Horned Sheep and “other” native, yet re-introduced species of animals, then hunting and fishing revenues -- one of our states largest draws -- will multiply tenfold from $3 billion it does now to $30 billion.

Tourism jobs should be expected to more than double from 105,000 present to 300,000.
Now, add in the middle of this a “Native-American” run casino. And with the added tax revenue of both industries, it should be evident our overall tax base lowers drastically.

With tourism offering the outside world our West Virginia beauty through hiking, camping, skiing, whitewater rafting, boating, kayaking, our regular hunting and fishing and in conjunction with my plan of big game hunting and the Native-American casino, then our dependence on coal will be severely lessened. And perhaps to the point where coal mining is no longer needed.

Saving the beauty of West Virginia should not just be a goal of mine, but a goal for all future West Virginian’s.

MERIT BASED PAY FOR THE EDUCATOR

Traditionally our West Virginia public school systems have based an educators pay on years of service rather than the achievements their students have accomplished in the classroom. Nor to the effect on their stature after graduation.

I feel there is a new and more effective way to award “merit bonuses” to the teacher that makes an impact on our school aged children.

Administered, and most importantly, monitored properly and fairly, merit pay would be an excellent incentive to compensate our educators that strive to achieve the improvement of our students learning capabilities and abilities.

I have discussed the scenario with teachers, principles and administrative heads of their fears that the principle -- who would ultimately be in charge of the merit bonus recommendation -- would favor certain teachers, effectively limiting other teachers.

The plan I offer will successfully address those and other concerns fairly:

HIGHER OBJECTIVE STANDARDS

We frequently require more testing on our children with new types of modern and up-to-date exams and techniques. I feel that in this new day and age administrators can quantify how much knowledge an educator invokes into their students.

Proven facts show that better teachers require better pay if retention is the ultimate goal. So based on performance, ones pay can and will change results-minded legislators to approve individual merit bonuses.

A report by the Boston based non-profit group named fittingly --The Community Training and Assistance Center -- released results of a Colorado merit pay experiment that let the teachers set their own goals to boost their students performance. The end conclusion was that it worked very well there. So why can’t it work here for our children?

Another solution would be to make merit pay part of a larger salary reward system which monetarily fulfills the educator in those hard-to-find mathematics and science teachers. Which once again, in my opinion, is the very near future of the ever changing and evolving education system to prepare these young men and woman for the future.

Something new is definitely needed when the retention of our teachers is the main goal. We must use the financial security of merit based bonuses as a monetary award to retain those educators that push our students to the next level and certainly to heights and aspirations. But also to attract the next generation of upcoming teaching graduates that harbor similar wants and goals for our children.

A TAX BREAK FOR VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS

I would like to see legislation enacted upon that would deal with giving a “tax break” to all volunteer firefighters, personnel, administrators and even secretaries that work so hard for the people on a free basis.

These are the unsung heroes that put their lives or safety on the line every time they receive a call. No matter the circumstances, --fire, flood, or even “little Suzie’s” cat that may be stuck in a tree -- on a moments notice, they are always there for us.

A tax break for these brave men and women would benefit their and our circumstances and would work on a two fold basis. What they would save from this proposed tax break would most likely be put back into their volunteer station or at least their respected community.

I feel with proper documentation, and of course a receipt to prove of the transaction, that the gear necessary, such as boots, shirts, pants, firefighting apparel or whatever they felt was needed to function at their volunteer work, should be considered as a state and federal tax write off.

Also to be allowed under my proposal would be their gasoline, diesel, or fuel that enables them to get to and from their station or disaster scene, and some mechanical work -- say at least one tune-up per year. And of course a percentage of mileage incurred on the vehicle they use for your counties safety issue’s.

I have met secretaries that have purchased on their own pens, paper, even typewriters and desks, to outfit an office for that ‘air of respectability’ purposes. And as I have already stated, with the proper receipts, these items should qualify as a tax write off under my proposed legislation.

We have taken advantage of the volunteers kindness, hard work and dedication for way to long. Let us justify the safety issue and reward them with a tax break that says simply thank you and we appreciate you.

WORKERS’ COMPENSATION RATE REDUCTIONS

“ A PRO-CON THEORY ”

Slicing workers’ compensation premiums has already been proven tat a plan as such can work. This was accomplished in the 1970’s by the Arch Moore Administration. And I would like to do likewise with minor changes towards progress. I will go one step further in all directions, starting with a 30% cut in rates paid for immediate relief for business.

The initial loss of revenue will be swiftly made up by the additional workers hired by business owners, public and private alike. Thus, bringing in approximately 35-45% in more overall revenue. These “extra” monies should be pledged towards lowering the workers compensation costs even further after we devote a 75-25% cut to pay down the $ 3.6 billion + debt now incurred upon us. Naturally, with the 75% going towards the debt. This will also add sovereignty. And believe me when I say, “I will not let those legislator’s think this is play money as they now do”.

So what was once a deterrent, will now be an asset to all business’s from established, well-regarded firms to newcomers with no previous track record. As long as they want to create a good paying job for the people of West Virginia, then I fell as Governor we must do everything in our powers to assist them. And this is a big start in the proper direction.

Also greatly reducing the deficit will be the fact the big corporations that owe this state tens of billions of dollars---will be in fact collected by me, your Governor, live and in person. Sorry big boys, but I will demand an enhanced economy for all. Not just a few!

Other savings that will help: Expel, penalize, heavily fine and jail doctors, lawyers and health care providers who submit fraudulent or exaggerated billings. These leaches have sucked enough economic blood from our system and it is time to end it!

We also need scrutiny, to make sure those truly injured workers receive the benefits they deserve and have coming to them. Without so much government hassle.

The creation of a civilian management board, to make a concerted effort needs to be in place to legitimize the new system of which I write. They should have the power to make a realistic decision for the injured worker immediately. This should also protect the worker as well as the employer.

Then we create a regulatory board of prison held C.P.A.’s, Banker’s, Auditor’s, etc, to look over both the workers’ compensation revue board and the civilian management board, with incentives towards “time-off” for good behavior for captures or other wrong doings uncovered. Birds of a feather………

DRUG TESTING IN OUR SCHOOLS---FOR TEACHERS

Lately with so many ugly and hideous incidents coming to light about our teens, and in some cases, our pre-teen school children being sexually, physically and mentally abused by teacher’s. I feel it is time for “mandatory” drug testing for our teachers.

There has been an arsenal of terrible reasons to formulate and enact drug testing to protect our young innocent children. And that is a sad commentary to face up to!

We need to be definitive in our attitudes and declarative about the educator who would do these injustices. We are when are children are drug tested. And the teacher is no higher authority to think that they are above the law.

There should be a concentrated effort to rid the “vermin” from the truly honest and hard working teacher.

Stopping the recent resurgence of child abuse is a cause that even the ‘staunch’ type teacher would agree needs to be rid from our society. This message must be loud and clear and direct to the point. Dangerous consequences await if we do not act soon!

A safe haven is how we should feel when our children walk out that door every morning to go to school. And they should feel the same on their return trip home at night.

Any teacher caught supplying drugs or alcohol to any student should face a much stiffer penalty than the drug dealer nabbed with in the same boundaries that are written and present laws.

A BETTER “RIGHT TO WORK” COMPROMISE

With better paying job creation my number one priority, then “right to work” legislation is sorely needed to progress The Great State of West Virginia into the next millennia and beyond for the future.

To create a “regulated growth environment”, our lawmakers should pass a right-to-work law. Some of the lawmakers will say it would cost them an election victory. Not with the JOSEPH OLIVERIO plan!

A NEW AND NEEDED TWIST TO ACCENTUATE THE POSITIVE

To save the legislator’s ‘some face’, why not try this approach to the ‘touchy’ subject.
The Union’s feel “right-to-work” is a colossal threat. Done properly with my plan more union worker’s would be added to their ranks. These new ‘hires’ would be seasoned professionals.

HERE IS HOW THIS WOULD WORK

As a right-to-work employee---After you are employed for five continuous years, lets say as carpenter, then you would automatically qualify to join the union. Which would pay a higher hourly return versus right-to-work wages or salary. We use the ‘right-to-work’ as a training ground to gain experience in the specified work field.

A certificate of verification would have to be formed. With your past employers signature to authenticate for time put in. The time is now to grasp this window of opportunity.

The best part of this idea would be that our former West Virginia brothers and sisters that have left this state, can now return to work here. They will bring back all kinds of working experiences.

And with three+ decades of construction under my belt, then I know you cannot beat experience in the labor force!

So experience and a business friendly climate equals a win-win situation for everyone.

CONSTRUCT NURSING COLLEGES HERE IN WEST VIRGINIA

Construct three state nursing colleges here.

With the overabundance of shortages in the nursing field now reaching epidemic proportions, now is the time to construct three nursing colleges here in West Virginia.

And with the drastic need for nurses nationwide, then securing federal funding should be easy, providing the next leader of the great state of West Virginia selects administrative members with those proven, hard working west virginia work ethics!

Elderly and retirees gyrate towards states with good health care providers. It is also a proven fact that for every one hundred retirees that relocate to any given community, that seventy good paying jobs are permanently created. To me that is self reliance.

Other facts:

• 126,000 total united states number of shortages in nursing
• 91% of hospitals, senior living facilities, skilled nursing units or home health agencies are drastically understaffed.
• 75% of graduates of nursing colleges stay in the local area after graduation.
• 50 people a minute need immediate health care.
• 30% reduction in local medical and health care related costs.
• 3 state colleges can be erected here at no cost to our taxpayers.
• #2 -- the rank the state of florida holds for medium age population.
• # 1 -- the rank west virginia holds in medium age population!
  
  

REDUCING WASTE BY REDUCING ELECTED OFFICIALS

When the West Virginia State Constitution was drawn up there were no roads, and limited communications. Everything was done by horse and buggy and word of mouth.

Fast forward to the twenty-first century. We now have four-lane highways, two-lane paved roads, telephones, television, radio, newspapers, and the internet.

All of which proves my argument that it should only take one State Senator and one County Commissioner per county to take care of the needs of the people in that county.

Which now brings us to the House of Delegates members. For the reasons stated in the above first two paragraph’s, smaller counties can make do with two House of Delegate members. And the few larger counties we have could get by with four members.

Thus, eliminating in-fighting, long overdrawn out sessions and especially ‘extra called sessions’.
Once again this will allow the taxpayers money to spent on more needed area’s.

And the savings from the elimination of the elected officials will be my way of dropping and reducing the cost to due business, for West Virginia companies only, in our state.

ELIMINATING THE STATE POLICE AND THE D.N.R.

I see no useful purpose for these two agencies in the West Virginia government system. They are nothing but a drain on our state budget and our state tax payer’s. The lawsuits that these “running amok” agencies have amassed over the years would fill ten yearly state budget’s.
When have you ever seen a state police officer or an Department of Natural Resource officer do any good for anyone? But how many times have you read headlines in your local newspaper where these two agencies have brought lawsuits upon themselves through utter stupidity? These lawsuit’s have cost this state hundred’s of millions of dollars in settlements. This alone should be enough reason to call for the elimination of these two sectors.

These are position’s that can be easily handled by your local county government. Which in turn keeps more economic dollars in your county. It also brings a familiarity of people and their trait’s to a more down to earth level. With a home town awareness to local situations.
With more of your local law enforcement in place, with men and women that know the surroundings and situations, then this will bolster your community back together. And everyone knows that a strong community is a great place to raise a child and keep families together.