June 25: "Vote Yes for West Virginia's Future"
June 25: "Vote Yes for West Virginia's Future"
by Governor Joe Manchin
This week, I joined David Haney of the West Virginia Education Association, Kenny Perdue of the West Virginia AFL-CIO, Karen Price of the Business and Industry Council, Cecil Roberts of the United Mine Workers of America, Steve Roberts of the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce and former Governor Cecil Underwood to officially kick off "Vote Yes For West Virginia's Future" - the campaign for approval of a critical bond amendment on June 25 that will ensure a viable financial future for the Mountain State, its children and grandchildren.
A "Yes" vote for the Pension Bond Amendment is a vote for common sense management of the state's debt. Approval of this amendment will not take one penny out of the pockets of our state's taxpayers. In fact, the state will see a savings of a minimum of $1.5 billion dollars - money that can be used to invest in our economy to preserve the good jobs that we currently have and support the development of more good paying jobs with health care benefits for our citizens. While all that this amendment technically does is establish a "fixed mortgage" payment to retire the state's unfunded pension liability debts that have been swirling out of control for years, in reality it does much more.
With voter approval of this amendment, West Virginia can take a significant step in getting its financial house in order. A fixed payment for our debt will put our state on a new pathway to prosperity, correcting the financial sins of the past and renewing West Virginians faith and hope in responsible government.
We are less than 45 days away from one of the most important elections in our lifetimes. Voters will choose to either pass our state's escalating debt onto future generations of West Virginians, or cast a "Yes" vote to improve our state's financial viability and stability and create economic opportunities that will spur job growth.
I urge every West Virginian to join a bi-partisan contingent of government officials and members of our state's business, education and labor communities to "Vote Yes for West Virginia's Future." Take the lead in this campaign and encourage your family and friends to vote in favor of establishing a fixed mortgage payment for our pension liabilities. Your vote matters on June 25 make a difference and "Vote Yes" for our future.
http://www.wvgov.org/FullColumn.cfm?id=243