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CHESTER -- Randy Swartzmiller says he is looking forward to getting to work when he returns to Charleston this month.
Swartzmiller, who previously represented the First District of the House of Delegates from 2001 to 2014, was elected to the House in November. He feels his previous experience, which includes serving as speaker pro tempore, will be valuable when the legislative session begins
"I'm honored to once again be representing the citizens of Hancock and Brooke counties and I made it a point to officially get sworn in early in December so I could get to work for the district," Swartzmiller said, noting he took the oath of office Dec. 3.
Among his focuses during the session are the local roadways, something Swartzmiller raised during his campaign.
"I know the road system in Hancock and northern Brooke counties as well as anyone and I am very disappointed that our roads are in the deplorable condition that they are," Swartzmiller said.
He pointed to slips in both counties, and continuous patching efforts.
"Our secondary road systems have been neglected and 95 percent of that problem is because the First District has not been receiving its fair share of state tax dollars," Swartzmiller said. "The citizens supported a road bond levy with the promise of good roads and my question to the West Virginia Highway Commissioner will be -- Where is our promised money at?"
Another focus, Swartzmiller said, is the removal of the state's tax on Social Security benefits. He says West Virginia is one of 13 states which still has the tax on the books.
"I'm optimistic that this is an issue that everyone can agree one and we can all work together to find a fiscally responsible avenue to eliminate this tax," he said.
Swartzmiller said making sure West Virginia's educators, school service personnel and other state employees are being treated fairly "has to be a priority." He says he has seen West Virginia lose employees to other states, which he says results in increased costs as new employees are trained.
"We have some of the best workers around and the issues, such as PEIA and competitive benefits, need to be addressed in order to keep them working in West Virginia," Swartzmiller said.