|
Joe Manchin III on Government Reform
Democratic WV Governor
|
Suspended state earmarking as governor; do same federally
Manchin and Raese are seeking a seat that has for more than 50 years by a politician famous--critics would say infamous--for directing billions of dollars to West Virginia in budget earmarks, also known as "pork-barrel spending."
Asked whether they would continue Byrd's tradition,
Raese indicated he would not, calling earmarks taxation without representation. "That is something that career politicians are very effective at," he said. "It services them, but it doesn't service
Americans."
Manchin said he suspended earmarking at a state legislative level when he first took office as governor. He said earmarking was one reason why there needed to be a balanced budget amendment.
Source: State Journal coverage of 2010 W.V. Senate debate
, Oct 7, 2010
Public financing pilot for state Supreme Court races
I will introduce judicial reform legislation: a public financing pilot project for the two Supreme Court seats that will be open for election in 2012.
The goal is to relieve judges from the burden of political fundraising and to reduce the potential for appearance of bias as a result of campaign donations. This money would be available for both the primary and general elections.
Source: West Virginia 2010 State of the State Address
, Jan 13, 2010
Page last updated: Nov 23, 2011