Charleston Gazette:
13th District candidates discuss raises
By Alison Knezevich, Staff writer

A Republican candidate for the 13th District of the House of Delegates pledged Wednesday not to accept any legislative pay raise, but two Democrats said lawmakers deserve the extra money.

In a meeting with Gazette editors, candidate James L. McCormick II said it wouldn't be right to take a pay hike when many West Virginians barely earn enough to support their families.

"I couldn't do it," he said. "My heart wouldn't let me do it."

He made the comment after incumbent Democrat Brady Paxton - who voted for the pay raise in the most recent legislative session - implied that many lawmakers who opposed it were hypocrites.

"The ones that vote against it ... are the first ones in line to receive it," Paxton said.

Paxton, who taught art at Poca High School for 30 years, said he prides himself on being one of the last delegates to leave the office at the end of the day.

"I do a good job. I work hard," said Paxton, who is vice chairman of the Education Committee. "I spend long hours there and I think I deserve it."

Democrat Mickey Whalen said he would accept the $5,000 pay raise if elected.

"I know that I'm going to earn that extra money," he said.

Whalen, of Point Pleasant, said his first priority would be providing better political representation for Mason County.

Districts must be redrawn to ensure Mason County always has a voice in the Legislature, said Whalen, a former schools superintendent and county commissioner.

"I'd like to see one senator for every county," he said.

Paxton said he and fellow Democratic incumbent Dale Martin had tried to redistrict in the past to ensure representation for Mason County, but the previous House leadership prevented them. McCormick, a safety supervisor for an electrical contractor, said he would focus his efforts on economic growth if he were elected.

West Virginia] is not as business-friendly as it could be," said McCormick, who is a captain in the Army National Guard.

When an editor pointed out that Toyota had located a factory in Putnam County, McCormick said the company had received incentives to do so.

Cutting taxes would help attract business, he said: "West Virginians are just taxed to death."

This year, state lawmakers voted to gradually phase out the business franchise tax by 2015.

McCormick said he believes the tax should be eliminated immediately.

"I'm saying we're doing the right thing too slow," he said.

Paxton said legislators had to make the tax cut gradual.

"Jackson County came to us terrified," Paxton said. "It would almost bankrupt [them if the tax were eliminated immediately]."

Education is critical to economic growth, Paxton said.

He touted the "Bucks for Jobs" program passed this year. The program provides matching funds for high-tech research endowments at West Virginia University and Marshall University.

Two seats are up for grabs in the district, which includes Jackson, Mason, and Putnam counties.

Three other people have filed for candidacy for office but did not attend the meeting Wednesday. They are: Democrat incumbent Dale Martin; Republican Brian C. Savilla; and Republican Brian (Scotty) Scott.

To contact staff writer Alison Knezevich, use e-mail or call 348-1240.