Government of the People
What We're Up Against
Everyday, our state leaders choose to serve the lobbyists in Charleston over the entrepreneurs, union workers, senior citizens, students, farmers and voters across our state.
From Jefferson to Mingo–or Ohio, Berkeley, Mercer, Preston, Tyler, and others–we hear the same frustration. “No one in state government is working for us. They forget we’re even a part of the state.”
It doesn’t have to be this way.
Our Plan
Government is supposed to work for us. It can.
- Hire secret shoppers who will interact with the agencies of state government “undercover” and report back on misconduct.
- Employ experienced grantwriters to serve small towns, local non-profit organizations, citizens, local credit unions, small farmers, and small businesses that are seeking funding from the federal government and foundations.
- Run a West Virginia Leadership Academy where 1,000+ participants each year will learn the basics of participating in our state government.
Create an annual participatory budgeting program that gives citizens the power to direct budgeting choices.
No one politician or slate of candidates can win this plan alone. We need you.
If you have an idea for how to make this plan stronger, or if you would like to lend a hand to win it, contact our co-chair Stephen Smith at stephen@wvcantwait.com.