Republican incumbent Cindy Frich decided to study political science in college when she determined that government lacked clarity, openness and honesty.
She referred to her entry into politics as a necessity. "My interest mostly came from my mother, Marlene, who worked with a member of Congress and later ran unsuccessfully for the 44th District seat."she said
Frich said she also was positively influenced by President Reagan's political philosophies and negatively influenced by President Jimmy Carter's "general weakness" in foreign affairs.
Frich said that her position on tax reform is that the issue could be better identified as "tax relief."
"I support an immediate elimination of the sales tax on food, which will be revenue-neutral in the long term," she said.
She favors phasing out the business franchise tax because it is stifling to business growth. She also favors reducing the corporate net income tax. eliminatmg income tax on those earning less than $20,000 and eliminating state tax on Social Security benefits.
"I could have slashed over $140 million from the recent budget and no programs would be cut and we would still have the reserves necessary for the state to maintain a favorable bond rating." she said. "There is so much waste and bloat, that is likely just scratching the surface."
Frich said she favors pay raises for teachers and WVU employees.
"I voted for a pay raise for public education teachers and WVU employees." she said. "I did not vote for the huge pay raise for judges, for the governor or for the governor's political appointees. I wish we had some of tin's money and funds from other bad decisions so we could fund higher pay for teachers and WVU employees."
Keeping and rewarding quality teachers is an important element of providing a quality education for the state's children so they can achieve then-full potential, she said.
Frich noted that state teachers' pay is comparitively low. The National Education Association ranked it 46th in the country for the 2004-2005 school year.
Frich said she also successfully fought to require helmets for children on ATVs, and that regulating ATVs may have been her most controversial and emotional legislative battle in four years in the Legislature.
"Offroad is where ATVs should be enjoyed recreationally and with appropriate training." she said. "Many counties have chosen to keep ATVs off of paved roads. Monongalia County has chosen not to use the authority which the Legislature granted them. I think we should expand that authority to all County Commissions in the state."
Finally. Frich said that if she is re-elected, she would work to continue making the fundamental reforms necessary to improve West Virginia's business climate so the private sector can create good paying jobs.