POWER TO THE PEOPLE

DEMOCRACY

Elected officials will be held accountable. A process for recall elections at every level of government must be adopted. “None Of The Above” or NOTA option should be made available on every ballot to prevent any politician from getting elected without consent from the People.

Democracy must work to achieve the greatest representative outcome for the people. We must enact Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) to ensure candidates have majority support from the people and not just a plurality. We must enact Proportional Representation for our legislative bodies to ensure all communities are fairly represented. We must work towards awarding electoral college votes on a proportional basis, until such a time that the Electoral College is abolished and replaced with a national popular vote.

There is no reason why higher education employees and employees of the West Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind should be denied the right to serve in public office.​ This can be corrected via a constitutional amendment.

LEVEL THE PLAYING FIELD

Campaign finance reform is necessary in West Virginia, starting with placing a ban on corporate donations to candidates and placing limits on self-financing campaigns. Ultimately, elections should be financed publicly and not fixed in favor of the rich.

Fair elections require sensible ballot access laws for minor political parties and independent candidates. Fair elections also require fair debates. An independent, non-partisan election commission could oversee this process, in addition to mandating free and equal broadcast time on all television and radio stations for all candidates. 

VOTING RIGHTS

Voting rights are inalienable and must therefore be made universal in West Virginia. Automatic registration and same-day registration would enfranchise thousands of citizens with the right to vote. We must also make Election Day a State Holiday with which all employers would be required to allow workers paid time off to vote. 

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INVESTMENT FOR THE PEOPLE

ECONOMY & LABOR

70,000 good-paying union jobs will be created by investing in solar, wind, water and geothermal energy to replace fossil fuel energy jobs. Long-term 40 years of employment will be made available with 20,000 maintenance jobs and over 50,000 construction jobs. With a moratorium on all new fossil fuel infrastructure, we would ensure a just transition for all fossil fuel workers by guaranteeing them a job in the new sustainable energy sector. We would guarantee full salaries and benefits to all fossil fuel workers until new jobs can be established, or offer fully-funded early retirement for all fossil fuel workers ages 50 and older. 

According to Stanford University Data, this transition to a green economy will pay for itself in energy, health, and climate savings. West Virginia will save nearly $2 Billion in health costs annually and hundreds of lives will be saved every year that would otherwise be lost to air pollution. The average West Virginian would see an estimated reduction of $700 in energy expenses, meaning more money in their pockets.

Economic democracy through direct worker control over production will be promoted. Workers Centers will be established in every county for workers to file grievances; gain legal help; find support for organizing their workplaces; access strike funds; report a corporate crime; organize a tenants union; get connected to human services; and gain training and technical assistance for starting worker-owned cooperatives.

A State Bank will be created to provide no-interest loans to West Virginia workers. Corporate control over the power grid will be dismantled by implementing citizen ownership of the grid. A protected public broadband utility will be owned by the citizens of West Virginia that encompasses all accessible forms of telecommunications including internet, television, and radio. 

We will end “right-to-work” and “at-will” employment by guaranteeing the right of every West Virginia worker, both private and public sector, to form a union, organize, bargain, go on strike, and elect their supervisors. We will guarantee paid family and sick leave for all workers, increase and enforce a statewide living wage adjusted annually for inflation, and restore the prevailing wage. Laws against wage theft will be strengthened and we aim to codify union recognition based on cards signed.

Seniors will be given a break by exempting Social Security from the state income tax, and West Virginia residents and businesses who utilize renewable power (such as solar) will be eligible for tax incentives during the Green energy transition. More significantly, we aim to provide a basic income to all West Virginia adult residents through a pollution credit system or sovereign wealth fund.

EDUCATION

Public schools will be fully funded with an equitable funding formula and fully funded daycare and Pre-K programs. Charter schools and vouchers, which both siphon crucial dollars away from public schools, will be banned and abolished.

We will prioritize reducing class sizes and ending high-stakes standardized testing.

Politicization of public education will not be tolerated. The far-right aims to implement broad book bans, require misinformation be taught in history and science classrooms, and force religious ideology into public classrooms in clear violation of every student’s right to religious freedom. Our administration aims to keep Sunday School where it belongs - in church! It is the responsibility of parents – not the State – to oversee religious and spiritual education. We will reverse the ban on transgender athletes and protect all LGBTQIA+ youth. 

We will work to implement a world-class education for West Virginian students; this includes ensuring quality second language studies begin no later than second grade and are supported through high school. We will guarantee that high quality, inclusive, evidence-based sex education is taught at appropriate grade levels.

Every classroom will have a fully certified, high-quality teacher, with granted ability to determine the content of their lesson plans. West Virginia educators should be allowed to directly elect 2/3 of the State Board of Education. Democratic decision-making in curriculum, administration, and conflict resolution within each school will include both faculty and students, with the latter having more say in the higher grade levels. Restorative justice programs will be supported to reduce the need of LEOs in schools.

Higher education and technical education will be fully funded, and we will expand partnerships between high schools and Community and Technical Colleges to allow students to graduate from high school with a technical certification or even an associate’s degree.

School-based health centers will be expanded to assure every child has access to healthcare, with a mental health professional placed in every school. Free and nutritious breakfast and lunch options for all students year-round, including during the summer months, will be guaranteed.

Educators and school personnel must have increased pay and benefits, with frequent pay raises to keep up with inflation, and student loan forgiveness. Collective bargaining for all education employees, including all higher education employees, must be guaranteed. Retired teachers and school service personnel must receive cost-of-living raises tied to inflation. Additionally, the state income tax exemption for retired school employees shall be increased. Through progressive taxation measures, the Public Employees Insurance Agency (PEIA) will be fully funded and not limited.

HEALTHCARE

Single-payer healthcare implemented nationwide is the most efficient, cost-effective way to cover essential care for all Americans. Until the Federal Government implements such a program, we will aim to cover all West Virginians, cut the cost of prescription drugs, and guarantee a living wage to all care providers.

We will create a West Virginia Health and Wellness Security Agency to provide essential coverage including physical, dental, mental, vision, reproductive, and gender-affirming care. Available resources will be coordinated with Medicaid, Medicare, and VA Health benefits to efficiently cover as many residents as possible, beginning the first phase of coverage with the poorest and those in greatest need. A growing number of West Virginians are uninsured and underinsured. This healthcare expansion program will be financed from a penny wealth tax on non-residential property in excess of $2 Million and by retaining the State Income Tax, which the GOP plans to irresponsibly phase out of existence. Over 4 Billion Dollars would be made available annually from those two sources alone. The second phase of healthcare expansion, in an effort to relieve businesses, would make the program universally accessible to all West Virginians via the implementation of a payroll tax.

Local elected health boards will be established to implement community oversight over healthcare administration. West Virginia healthcare workers should be allowed to directly elect 2/3 of the State Board of Medicine.

A plan will be developed to have the State Bank (See: Economy & Labor) buy back and forgive the medical debt of all West Virginians.

Conversion therapy will be banned and public campaigns to combat healthcare disinformation will be launched in order to ensure the health and safety of all residents. 

HOUSING

Sufficient public housing to end homelessness will be constructed and maintained. To reduce poverty-driven crime and ease the financial burden of the current situation, the shelter system will ultimately be replaced with apartments and tiny homes that provide privacy and a safe, healthy environment. Job training will be provided for homeless people as well as other support services for those with health problems, including drug addiction and mental, emotional, or behavioral disorders. Compulsory work service for residents of public housing will be prohibited.

A moratorium on home foreclosures and evictions will be placed to allow for housing solutions to be implemented. A Mobile Home Cooperative Fund will be established to provide loans to support cooperative ownership of mobile home parks.

Transparency must be available to renters. Landlord information shall be made public along with previous property violations and complaints.

Petroleum drilling on properties without the consent of all property owners will be prohibited.

New construction by developers will be required to maximize the use of energy efficiency and renewable energy options such as solar.

ROADS & INFRASTRUCTURE

Sustainable road repair and maintenance will require taxing corporations and companies in the extraction and logging industries whose trucks are responsible for almost all non-weather damage to the roads to pay for this infrastructure. A statewide mass transit plan must be developed that incentivizes sustainable public transit and makes our communities more pedestrian and bike friendly. All road and transit workers should be well-paid and unionized.

SOLIDARITY & JUSTICE FOR THE PEOPLE

CANNABIS

Legalize cannabis and psilocybin immediately, along other entheogenic substances that have been found to have therapeutic benefits and low medical risks for responsible adult users. Local cannabis would be sustained by investing in local, worker-owned dispensaries rather than out-of-state corporations.

We aim to expunge records of all people with convictions related to possessions. Make grants available specifically for those with prior convictions for cannabis and entheogen possession to operate cannabis and entheogen businesses as part of a reparations programs for their unjust incarceration. Prohibit exclusion from public housing based on cannabis use. Stop removal of of children from parents/guardians for testing positive for THC.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Justice must start with addressing corporate and government crime. Government officials should be prohibited from purchasing and selling stock while in office. The criminal code must be amended so as to prosecute companies and corporate CEOs for the deaths caused by corporate greed and corruption. Laws against corporate crime shall be strengthened and begin targeting companies for health care fraud, tax fraud, and consumer fraud. Multi-level marketing companies that target low-income earners will be banned. Hostile corporate takeovers of smaller businesses that eliminate competition and create monopolies will be prohibited. Antitrust laws will be strengthened and enforced, with tightened regulations for mergers and acquisitions. A Corporate Crime Division will be established.

We must focus on decarceration by investing in restorative, transformative, and rehabilitative justice programs. We must end civil asset forfeiture and end cash bail. We must create programs to allow ex-offenders to increase their vocational job skills, interpersonal skills, and educational literacy.

Democratic control over public resources must be instituted to empower community-centered institutions, including: civil dispute resolution programs, drug treatment centers, free health clinics, and democratic and recallable community defense programs.

We will demilitarize and gradually disarm state and local police and focus instead on de-escalation tactics. Many duties of police will be redistributed to other actors, including medical professionals, social workers, and other community-based alternatives. We will bring an end to qualified immunity. State funding will cease to police departments failing to address classicism, and racial biases and profiling.

We aim to ultimately eliminate the root causes of crime by ending homelessness, poverty, racial discrimination, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, ageism, sexism, and other forms of oppression and fully funding education equitably across the state.

2nd AMENDMENT RIGHTS

As a combat veteran who served nearly a decade in the armed forces, Chase has practiced and responsibly utilized many types of firearms.

The 2nd Amendment of the U.S. Constitution is a fundamental American right. Additionally, the West Virginia Constitution states, “A person has the right to keep and bear arms for the defense of self, family, home and state, and for lawful hunting and recreational use.”

We will protect lawful gun ownership for home defense, hunting, and recreational purposes.

The right to bear arms requires conscientious stewardship, personal responsibility, and a recognition of common sense to guarantee this right remains protected. It is imperative that our society collectively is able to reach a consensus on the controversial issues derived from gun-related crime and loss of life. This issue will not be solved by slogans, political rhetoric, catchy sound bites, or a simple three point plan.

In 2022 alone, there were more than 200 gun related crimes across West Virginia. Over 70% of gun related deaths are suicides. Mental healthcare will be a priority of the Linko-Looper Administration to reduce gun related deaths.

We will broaden and reinforce background checks and registrations, mandate proper storage of firearms, use common sense to regulate gun sales, and close all loopholes for private sales and gun shows that circumvent background checks. Any broad additional licensing and permitting as necessary will only be adopted democratically by consent of the People of West Virginia.

The majority of gun owners are law-abiding citizens who understand their personal responsibility with gun ownership. However, individuals who are found guilty of domestic violence or hate crimes should face consequences not limited to the prevention of possessing a firearm. Criminal actions require consequences for justice and the public interest.

The Linko-Looper Administration will make sure every step taken to reduce gun violence will be constitutional and consistent with the Second Amendment.

Gun violence will be researched and studied. We will study the benefits of both mandated firearm training and mandated psychological evaluations for specific circumstances, keeping in line with judicial due process and equal treatment under the law. We will also study the effectiveness of added liability and enforcement of negligence in gun-related crime.

Militias will be well regulated.

DRUG EPIDEMIC

Harm reduction will be promoted by treating drug addiction as a healthcare issue, not a criminal one; decriminalizing drug possession; and focusing instead on evidence-based treatment.​ Establish recovery centers accessible from every community and ensure there are no wait times for treatment. Make Naloxone available in all public buildings and treatment centers and distribute it to all first responders. A Good Samaritan Law must be adopted to save lives and the drug companies must be prosecuted for being responsible in flooding our communities with opioids and other drugs.

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE

100% clean, renewable energy and zero greenhouse gas emissions for West Virginia shall be achieved within a decade through a homegrown, fair Green New Deal. This will create 70,000+ permanent jobs during the building phase and for ongoing operations and maintenance. Displaced fossil fuel workers will be guaranteed five years’ wages and benefits until they can find comparable work. All renewable energy projects will be sourced from local, state, or U.S. manufacturers when possible, and must avoid conflict area materials. Hiring for these projects will guarantee equal opportunity and fair employment.

We aim to move West Virginia to a zero-solid waste state within a decade. We will work to make industry less polluting and green, regulating environmental impact and waste disposal by companies. Green industry and manufacturing will grow with support of industrial hemp. 

We will oppose the Appalachian Storage Hub Project and other potential projects slated to make West Virginia a dumping ground for toxic and radioactive waste. An immediate moratorium on hydrofracking of natural gas and mountaintop removal of coal in West Virginia will be implemented.

Regenerative agriculture to restore organic material to the soil, including carbon sequestration, will be pursued. Support will be given for development of community gardens, urban agriculture, and agricultural education.

A West Virginia farm worker bill of rights to protect the labor rights of farmworkers, regardless of their immigration status, will be adopted.

Greyhound racing will be abolished. We will protect animals from abandonment, neglect and abuse.

HUMAN RIGHTS

We will advance equal rights for ethnic and racial minorities, for the disabled, for women, for LGBTQIA+ people, and any other discriminated peoples. We will responsibly uphold and enforce affirmative action to mitigate employment discrimination.

We commit to reparations to Black people, Indigenous people, and People of Color of this nation for the past four hundred plus years of genocide, slavery, land-loss, destruction of original identity, and the stark disparities which haunt the present. Until significant steps are taken to reverse the ongoing abuses to end the criminalization of Black and Brown communities, to eradicate poverty, to invest in education, healthcare, and the restoration and protection of human rights, it will be impossible to repair the continuing damage wrought by the ideology of white supremacy which still permeates the institutions of our nation.

Reproductive rights are human rights. Abortion is healthcare.

We will expand and protect each woman’s right to fully participate in society, free from sexual harassment, job discrimination, and wage discrimination. We will ensure equality in wages and employment, to end the feminization of poverty, and to redress the reality that much of the work that society assigns primarily to women is presently unpaid.

As a disabled combat veteran, Chase personally understands the importance of supporting people with disabilities by protecting their rights and by enforcing the Americans with Disabilities Act. Services must be fully funded to meet the needs of people with disabilities.

Sidewalk restoration and maintenance will be prioritized to promote ADA compliance and improve mobility for those unable to use deteriorated pedestrian infrastructure.

Disabled people must be guaranteed fair employment, reasonable accommodation, and a living wage.

We will combat the stigma of mental health and work to assist all those seeking treatment and care.