Dolph Santorine is a candidate in the Republican Primary for the 4th District of the House of Delegates, and he’s listed his “Top Issues” as Jobs, Rightsizing Taxes, Teacher Pay, Seniors, and Tourism.
Below, Mr. Santorine answers specific questions concerning each of those issues.
JOBS – How can the state government help existing industries create more living-wage jobs throughout the state?
State Government will do its best work by getting out of the way and stop trying to pick winners and losers. I think Pure Watercraft in Brooke County is a perfect example – $4 million in taxpayer dollars were squandered readying a facility for them, and now that renovated space can’t be rented because it’s tied up in bankruptcy, and the people who facilitated that expenditure can’t tell you when it’s going to be available for another tenant.
Businesses need capital to invest, and they make better decisions with that money than bureaucrats and politicians. Smart incentives will encourage smart money to make investments in businesses in West Virginia. Businesses also need low taxes and less regulation to grow. And increased access to childcare helps business by increasing workforce participation, providing them with ready and able workers.
RIGHTSIZING TAXES – What kind of tax cuts are most important to take West Virginia into the future?
We need to eliminate the state income tax, which is our ticket to a very exclusive group of high-growth states like Florida and Tennessee, which are revered for their citizen-friendly tax policy.
A small step was taken. We need to rapidly take the leap to make the budget work with NO STATE INCOME TAX. This will spark investment and encourage relocation. It’s been proven in these other states.
We also need to eliminate the business inventory tax, which would make West Virginia more economically competitive by removing a major financial barrier to business investment, modernization, and job growth. We are currently one of only nine states that fully taxes inventory, and it’s killing us.
Another tax we need to eliminate is the double taxation on “Class IV” properties – it’s regressive and usurious, putting an undue burden on those in our society least able to afford this tax.
It’s also why renting an apartment is up to 1/3 more expensive in West Virginia. It’s a tax that is passed along to the renter.
TEACHER PAY – What’s your proposed plan for increasing compensation for educators working in West Virginia’s public school system?
There are far too many excellent professional educators who drive from Ohio County to Pennsylvania or Ohio every morning to teach.
The reason? The pay and benefits package aren’t competitive. We need to make a statement by besting our neighboring states by 20 percent.
This issue affects us statewide. Recruitment and retention have reached a breaking point. We have 1,500 open teaching positions and are relying heavily on substitute staff teaching outside their expertise. Our kids deserve better.
Both of my parents taught in public schools, and my Mom’s teachers’ pension is still an important part of her retirement. I understand this from both a business view and from a teacher’s viewpoint. If we don’t attract and retain the best teachers for our public schools we are selling ourselves and our future short.
SENIORS – If elected, what legislation would you propose that would improve the quality of life for senior citizens in West Virginia?
We need to eliminate the Certificate of Need program that forces healthcare providers to get approved to offer services in West Virginia. Forcing providers to get “permission slips” from regulators limits the care and support options for so many of our seniors. It’s an antiquated system that rewards waste and inefficiency, and it has to go.
Certificate of Need programs drive seniors’ costs up by 11 percent (1) and help to ensure that we have 30 percent fewer hospitals than free market states (2).
Eliminating CON will pave the way for best-in-class providers to open in our state and deliver options for seniors that are long overdue.
It’s basic economics: more competition lowers prices and improves quality. States that have repealed or significantly reformed CON laws have seen improvements in accessibility, cost reduction, and patient outcomes.
TOURISM – What are your key ideas for growing the tourism industry in West Virginia?
I think the current messaging is all wrong. All the pretty pictures and music are fine, but we need to pitch the active tourism that is in high demand today.
We don’t have a giant theme park like California and Florida. We do have white water rafting, the Appalachian Trail runs through West Virginia, and our terrain is perfect for Zip Lining. On top of all that we have stunning beauty from every hilltop. We have amazing golf. Incredible festivals.
West Virginia is so much more than great views.
Citations:
1. “Health Care Expenditures per Capita by State of Residence.” KFF, 19 June 2017, https://www.kff.org/other/state-indicator/health-spending-per- capita/? currentTimeframe=0&sortModel=%7B%22colId%22%3A%22Location%22%2C%22sort%22%3A%2 2asc%22%7D.
2. Mitchell, Matthew D., Anne Philpot, and Jessica McBirney, “The State of Certificate-of-Need Laws in 2020,” Mercatus Center, Feb. 2021, https://mercatus.org/conlaws.
