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# WV Can’t Wait

Building a people’s government in the Mountain State.

## Sitemaps

- [XML Sitemap](https://wvcantwait.com/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website.

## Posts

- [News](https://wvcantwait.com/news/)
- [How to Decriminalize Marijuana?](https://wvcantwait.com/2025/01/26/how-to-decriminalize-marijuana/) - Charleston W.Va. – In West Virginia, marijuana (and synthetic cannabinoids) are legal only for medical use. Simple possession of marijuana is a misdemeanor, and possession with intent to distribute is a felony.However a Charleston City Council bill and a citizen petition aim to reduce the penalities for simple possession of marijuana. Read the full article here.
- [Councilor Philabaum: It's Time for Cannabis in Charles Town](https://wvcantwait.com/2023/01/17/councilor-philabaum-its-time-for-cannabis-in-charles-town/) - Municipalities in the eastern panhandle must take the lead on decriminalizing cannabis possession to no jail time and no fines or fees. There have been 30 municipalities that have enacted ordinances to decriminalize cannabis in their communities including Morgantown. Even the American Academy of Pediatrics supports the decriminalization of cannabis. This is a common sense
- [Charleston Elects Five Candidates with the Can't Wait Organization](https://wvcantwait.com/2022/11/17/charleston-elects-five-candidates-with-cant-wait-organization/) - Charleston W.Va. – A grassroots, progressive political organization with a platform that includes decriminalizing harm reduction efforts and cannabis, among other things, saw some success in Charleston Tuesday night. Five of the nine candidates running for city council with Charleston Can’t Wait won seats on the 26-member council.“We’re thrilled that five members of the Charleston
- [Can’t Wait Awards 40 ‘Hometown Heroes’ $2K Each](https://wvcantwait.com/2022/04/22/40-hometown-heroes/) - “We honor 40 West Virginia people and organizations that refuse to wait for anyone,” Smith said.
- [Vega, Butcher Oppose Rate Hikes](https://wvcantwait.com/2022/04/22/oppose-rate-hikes/) - Council voted 5-2, with Ixya Vega and Brian Butcher voting in the minority, to approve a 13 % increase to water rates.
- [Lauer: Bet on Institution-Building, Not Manchin](https://wvcantwait.com/2022/04/22/bet-on-institution/) - "Manchin’s intransigence gives us the freedom as organizers to let go of mobilization work at the federal level and get to work on the ground."
- [Kayla McCoy, Greenbrier Valley Pride named Hometown Heroes](https://wvcantwait.com/2022/04/22/greenbrier-valley-pride/) - MOUNTAIN MESSENGERW.Va. – The mission of WV Can’t Wait is to win a people’s government in the Mountain State, led by the West Virginians who work the hardest and bear the greatest burdens. In addition to a $2,000 award, Heroes receive free on-going leadership training and coaching, access to mental health and safety services, and
- [Charleston Can’t Wait Launches Cannabis Decrim. Petition](https://wvcantwait.com/2022/04/22/decrim-petition/) - Charleston Can’t Wait Launches Cannabis Decrim. Petition
- [Morgantown City Council Candidates Take on Housing](https://wvcantwait.com/2021/03/31/morgantown-city-council-candidates-take-on-housing/) - Brian Butcher, who is running for the 7th ward of Morgantown, Marly Ynigues (5th), and Ixya Vega (3rd), all spoke about their relationship to home inequity. All three have very different experiences with insecurity and homelessness. Together, they believe they can make a difference in the community. “We’re each coming at it from a
- [W.Va. expected to see nation's strongest campaign finance reform bill in January](https://wvcantwait.com/2020/09/11/w-va-expected-to-see-nations-strongest-campaign-finance-reform-bill-in-january/) - Selina Vickers, who is running for the District 32 seat, has pledged not to accept any corporate money. On Thursday, she and other candidates met with residents in Minden, a contaminated Fayette County neighborhood where a large number of residents report cancers, to pledge support for campaign finance reform. The bill is part of West Virginia Can't Wait, which aims to win a "people's government" in West Virginia...
- [Campaign for West Virginia Governor Has Become a Covid-19 Response Program](https://wvcantwait.com/2020/04/03/campaign-for-west-virginia-governor-has-become-a-covid-19-response-program/) - Smith’s anti-establishment campaign, known as West Virginia Can’t Wait, had a coronavirus response website up before the state government did and recently released an 11-point policy plan calling for drive-through coronavirus testing in every county, vote-by-mail legislation, and moratoria on evictions and utility shutoffs....
- [The People’s Platform Rises in West Virginia](https://wvcantwait.com/2020/02/21/the-peoples-platform-rises-in-west-virginia/) - DAVID DEYEN, THE AMERICAN PROSPECT National - What’s the most important election of 2020? Which one will have implications that endure the farthest into the future? By the standards of most national media outlets, only the presidential race exists, so you might do the obvious thing and choose that one. But having seen it up
- [Building Power Through Mutual Aid: Lessons From the Field](https://wvcantwait.com/2025/01/26/building-power-through-mutual-aid-lessons-from-the-field/) - "Manchin’s intransigence gives us the freedom as organizers to let go of mobilization work at the federal level and get to work on the ground."
- [Opponents Gather Signatures To Repeal Morgantown Camping Ban ](https://wvcantwait.com/2025/01/26/opponents-gather-signatures-to-repeal-morgantown-camping-ban/) - Council voted 5-2, with Ixya Vega and Brian Butcher voting in the minority, to approve a 13 % increase to water rates.
- [Powered by the People](https://wvcantwait.com/2019/05/18/powered-by-the-people/) - “A genuine populist is running for West Virginia Governor. His donor rolls broke the state’s campaign finance software.”
- [Can’t Wait movement seeks to give power to the powerless](https://wvcantwait.com/2019/06/18/cant-wait-movement-seeks-to-give-power-to-the-powerless/) - I’ve lived in West Virginia my whole life, and I want to be able to stay here without feeling like my voice is never being heard,” said Anna Hicks, county captain for the group, which launched last December as part of West Virginia Can’t Wait, an offshoot of the Stephen Smith democratic gubernatorial campaign. Hicks said while Marion County Can’t Wait is an outgrowth of Smith’s campaign for governor, the group’s purpose will live on after the 2020 votes are cast – regardless of who moves into the Governor’s Mansion in Charleston.
- [America's new redneck rebellion](https://wvcantwait.com/2019/06/27/americas-new-redneck-rebellion/) - "Smith is campaigning against both parties’ establishments. He says there is only one party in West Virginia — 'the good ol’ boys'. Judging from how people react, he is striking a chord."
- [Smith’s campaign for governor is fueled by small-dollar donations while Justice and Thrasher loan big bucks](https://wvcantwait.com/2019/07/09/smiths-campaign-for-governor-is-fueled-by-small-dollar-donations-while-justice-and-thrasher-loan-big-bucks/) - Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stephen Smith has raised the most of any primary campaign so far with a blend of small donations and fundraisers both in-state and out-of-state. “We’re able to build a campaign and a movement that literally belongs to thousands of people who have contributed,” Smith said during an appearance today on MetroNews’ “Talkline.”
- [The New Uprising on a Country Road](https://wvcantwait.com/2019/09/30/the-new-uprising-on-a-country-road/) - What unites [WV Can't Wait volunteers and candidates] is a belief that West Virginia’s abundance has been stolen by a corporate and political oligarchy, which extracts from its people as surely as from its land. These activists seek to wake up the fighting spirit that looms over West Virginia’s history, from the Mine Wars a century ago to the #RedforEd teachers strikes last year. They think of West Virginia as a place where people take care of each other, and they want to bring that impulse back to its government, by taking it over.
- [Smith Breaks Records with Best Fundraising Quarter Yet, After Strong Coronavirus Response](https://wvcantwait.com/2020/04/08/smith-breaks-records-with-best-fundraising-quarter-yet-after-strong-coronavirus-response/) - The Smith campaign, propelled by 3,189 donations, raised over $200,000 in the last three months, making Smith the top fundraiser for the quarter.
- [Rosemary Ketchum makes history with election win in West Virginia](https://wvcantwait.com/2020/06/11/rosemary-ketchum-makes-history-with-election-win-in-west-virginia/) - WDBJRosemary Ketchum, 26, was elected Wednesday to represent Ward 3 on the Wheeling City Council in West Virginia. She is the first transgender woman to be elected into office in the state and one of only 27 in the whole country.Ketchum campaigned for the seat for a year, pushing for the city to tackle homelessness
- [WV Can’t Wait candidates take next steps toward the November elections](https://wvcantwait.com/2020/06/21/wv-cant-wait-candidates-take-next-steps-toward-the-november-elections/) - STEVEN ALLEN ADAMS, PARKERSBURG NEWS AND SENTINELW.Va – WV Can’t Wait, which united several Democrats, Republicans, Mountain Party members, libertarians and independents, saw more than 43 of its candidates win races on June 9, running on a populist platform to take on the good old boys and lobbyists.Victories include electing Rosemary Ketchum as the first
- [WV Can’t Wait has Clear Potential](https://wvcantwait.com/2022/04/22/wv-cant-wait-has-clear-potential/) - "Voters are tired of voting for the lesser of two evils."
- [Newsweek: Replace Joe Manchin](https://wvcantwait.com/2022/04/22/newsweek-replace-joe-manchin/) - "To persuade Manchin, West Virginians must fight to replace him and his machine."
- [January 18 Mass Filing](https://wvcantwait.com/2020/03/26/january-18-mass-filing/) - View our video: How we win is with 1000 leaders, not one.
- [How starting early could help Stephen Smith become West Virginia’s next governor](https://wvcantwait.com/2018/12/23/how-starting-early-could-help-stephen-smith-become-west-virginias-next-governor/) - It’s not left versus right, it’s the people versus the good old boys club.
- [Stephen Smith: The two West Virginias (Gazette Opinion)](https://wvcantwait.com/2019/01/10/stephen-smith-the-two-west-virginias-gazette-opinion/) - There has always been one state for the folks who work the hardest and hurt the most and another state for those who profit off that work and pain. There has always been one set of rules for the good ol’ boys, and another for the rest of us. It doesn’t have to be this way.
- [A fresh face in the Governor’s race](https://wvcantwait.com/2018/12/18/a-fresh-face-in-the-governors-race-2/) - Stephen Smith is young (38), smart, passionate, telegenic and bursting with ideas, and he might be the next governor of West Virginia.
- [You Haven’t Heard the Last of Stephen Smith](https://wvcantwait.com/2018/10/05/you-havent-heard-the-last-of-stephen-smith/) - “…a gubernatorial bid unlike any in West Virginia history.”

## Pages

- [Home](https://wvcantwait.com/) - Winning a West Virginia that works for all of us. We’re building a grassroots movement to win in the voting booth, train the next generation of West Virginia organizers, and back the everyday folks who are stepping up to lead where government is failing.
- [Our Strategy](https://wvcantwait.com/strategy/) - Our Strategy It’s not our job to persuade those in power. Our job is to replace them. Here’s how we do that.​ recruit, train and back no-corporate-cash candidates We work year-round to recruit pro-labor, no-corporate-cash candidates to run for office. We offer our endorsed candidates money, mentoring, policy and communications support, materials templates, a full
- [Your WV Can’t Wait Candidates](https://wvcantwait.com/find-your-not-for-sale-candidates/) - Our 2024 Candidates WV Can’t Wait was proud to announce this slate of pro-labor, no-corporate-cash candidates in 2024. Stay tuned for our 2025 endorsements! Is there someone you'd like to see us endorse? Contact team@wvcantwait.com and we'll send them our candidate questionare.
- [](https://wvcantwait.com/join-the-movement/pledge/) - How to be a WV Can’t Wait Candidate For too long West Virginians have been asked to vote for the lesser of two evils. No more: the only way we’ll get the kind of government we deserve–one that chooses the side of West Virginians over out of state interests–is if we take it. We are
- ["Red" Greer](https://wvcantwait.com/redgreer/) - Andrea "Red" Greer for House of Delegates District 13 Date of General Election:November 8, 2022 Connect on Facebook Donate to Red’s Campaignwebsite Hi, I’m Red Greer!I love and cherish this area and its people, and I’m proud to own a home in Parkersburg. I’m a local small-business entrepreneur and currently working to create stock for
- [Join the Movement](https://wvcantwait.com/join-the-movement/) - Join the Movement Sign up to get the latest news and volunteer opportunities from WV Can't Wait.
- [Contact Us](https://wvcantwait.com/contact/) - Contact Us Our movement grows by listening. We can’t wait to hear from you! Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.Name *FirstLastEmail *PhoneComment or Message *Submit
- [Carl Eastham](https://wvcantwait.com/carl-eastham/) - Carl Eastham for House of Delegates Donate to elect Carl Eastham Carl Easthan is a lifelong resident of Huntington. He served 26 years as a Huntington firefighter rising to rank of Captain and retired to work for the WV Attorney General as a Consumer Advocate.At the request of Mayor Williams, Eastham returned to service as
- [Jeffrey Budkey](https://wvcantwait.com/jeffrey-budkey/) - Jeffrey Budkey for House of Delegates, District 78 Running for:House of Delegates, District 78 Date of Primary Election:May 10, 2022Connect on Social:https://twitter.com/BudkeyforHouseDonate to the Campaign:https://secure.actblue.com/donate/budkeyforhouse My name is Jeffrey A. Budkey, and like many of our fellow mountaineers, I am tired of the people being left behind here in West Virginia. I’m tired of the state
- [Melissa Oxley](https://wvcantwait.com/melissa-oxley/) - Melissa Oxley for Putnam County Board of Education Twenty years ago, my husband and I chose to move to Putnam County because we wanted to start a family and have our children attend some of the best schools in our state. I have a deep passion for engaging children In STEAM. I was a Girl
- [Chuck Conner](https://wvcantwait.com/chuckconner/) - ChuckConner for House of Delegates Connect with Chuck on facebook. Donate to Chuck’s campaign I work part-time as a teen mentor in the PATCH After-School Program. I have found that teens have many concerns but aren’t sure about how to get involved; and we want to engage and encourage them to be proactive
- [Elementor #8036](https://wvcantwait.com/melissaclark/) - Melissa Clark for State Senate Connect with Melissa on facebook. Donate to Melissa’s campaign Hello, I’m Melissa, born and raised in rural Mossy, WV, by a military family who were also subjected to abuses within the coal industry – I’m a miner’s daughter. I have a dual degree in International Relations and French,
- [Cody Thompson](https://wvcantwait.com/codythompson/) - Cody Thompson for House of Delegates Cody is running to not just be a voice for his district but for all West Virginians who feel government isn’t working for them. Cody is a social studies teacher in Randolph County and deeply cares about our students receiving the best education. He has fought back against cuts
- [Justin Lung for House of Delegates District 71](https://wvcantwait.com/justin-lung/) - Justin Lung for West Virginia House of Delegates District 71 (D) Running for:House of Delegates District 71Date of Primary Election:May 10, 2022Connect on Social:facebook.com/votejustinlungDonate to the Campaign:actblue.com/justin-lung-for-wv-house-1 I’m Justin Lung from Stonewood, WV. I have a Bachelor of Science degree and have worked as an environmental lab technician, case manager for the entire state of WV,
- [Carmen Taylor-Bratton](https://wvcantwait.com/carmen-taylor-bratton/) - Carmen Taylor-Bratton for Jefferson County Board of Education Running for:Jefferson County Board of EducationDate of Primary Election:May 10, 2022Connect on Social:https://www.facebook.com/carmentaylorbrattonDonate to the Campaign:Carmen-Bratton@outlook.com (PayPal) I, Carmen Taylor-Bratton, am hoping to win one of the 3 open seats on the Jefferson County School Board on May 10th to bring back the Glow and Grow along
- [What is WV Can’t Wait](https://wvcantwait.com/what-is-wv-cant-wait/) - What is WV Can’t Wait Working West Virginians have borne too much for too long. No party or politician will save us. Only a movement can. Who We Are Three years ago a group of West Virginians got together to ask: what if the values of generosity and service and common sense that already guide
- [Lauren Hensley](https://wvcantwait.com/laurenhensley/) - Lauren Hensley for Cabell County Board of Education Running for:Cabell County Board of EducationDate of Primary Election:May 10, 2022Connect on Social:facebook.com/laurenhensleyboeDonate to the Campaign:secure.actblue.com/donate/lauren-hensley-1 My name is Lauren Hensley, and I am a School Counselor & Virtual ELA Teacher in Wayne County as well as a mother and a wife. I have a stepdaughter who
- [Michele Merrill](https://wvcantwait.com/michele-merrill/) - Michele Merrill for Summers County Board of Education Running for:Summers County Board of EducationDate of Primary Election:May 10, 2022Connect on Social:facebook.com/Michele-Merrill-for-Summers-County-Board-of-EducationDonate to the Campaign: paypal.com/paypalme/mmerrill76 I am running for Summers County Board of Education because it is time to make a positive change for our children. I am someone who can discuss and make
- [Steven Wise](https://wvcantwait.com/steven-wise/) - Steven Wise for Preston County Board of Education Running for:Preston County Board of Education Date of Primary Election:May 10, 2022 I am running for the Board of Education because I believe that our children are our most precious resource and that great schools are the heart of great communities. A quality education is the most proven
- [Candidate Search 2022 - Draft](https://wvcantwait.com/candidate-search-2022/) - Candidate Search Tool We are working together to build a West Virginia that works for all of us. Enter the zip code of your home address in the search bar below to see which WV Can’t Wait candidates you can volunteer and vote for! X Please select a column to search in. Please type in
- [Find Your Candidates](https://wvcantwait.com/find-your-candidates/)
- [Ryan Deems](https://wvcantwait.com/ryan-deems/) - Ryan Deems for House of Delegates- District 70 Running for:House of Delegates- District 70Date of Primary Election:May 10, 2022Connect on Social:www.facebook.com/DeemsWVinstagram.com/DeemsWVTwitter: @DeemsWVDonate to their Campaign:http://secure.actblue.com/donate/deems2022 My name is Ryan Deems. I’ve lived in Clarksburg almost my whole life. Growing up in a working class family, my parents taught me important lessons about hard work, dedication,
- [Darrin Cox](https://wvcantwait.com/darrin-cox/) - Darrin Cox for Ohio County Board of Education Running for:Ohio County Board of EducationDate of Primary Election:May 10, 2022Connect on Social:facebook.com/Cox4BOEDonate to their Campaign:secure.actblue.com/donote/coxforboe I believe that a solid education, especially in history and civics, makes for a healthy republic and prepares young minds for the social, economic, and political trials that they will face.
- [HOME](https://wvcantwait.com/new-home/) - We're out to win a government where the people who work the hardest and bear the most are also the ones who write the laws. What is WV Can’t Wait WV Can’t Wait is a movement to win a people’s government in the Mountain State. For too long, the wealthy Good Old Boys Club—of both
- [Platform Plans](https://wvcantwait.com/platform-plans/) - Our Platform It sure doesn’t feel like it, but right now we’re creating more wealth than ever before in West Virginia’s history. This should be our golden age.The thing is that wealth doesn’t stay here, and it certainly isn’t put to use making the jobs, education, drug treatment, and health care systems that our families
- [Octavia Cordon for Kanawha School Board](https://wvcantwait.com/octavia-cordon/) - Octavia Cordon for Kanawha County School Board Running for:Kanawha County School BoardDate of Primary Election:May 10, 2022Connect on Social:facebook.com/CordonforSchoolBoardDonate to the campaign: https://donorbox.org/cordon-for-kanawha-county-school-board Candidate Bio: My name is Octavia Cordon, but my friends call me Superwoman. I was born and raised in New York City and later migrated to West Virginia close to 20 years ago. I consider
- [Candidate Draft](https://wvcantwait.com/elementor-7625/) - Rosemary Ketchum for Wheeling City Council Third Ward Running for:Wheeling City CouncilDate of Primary Election:May 4, 2022Connect on Social:facebook.com/blahDonate to their Campaign:facebook.com/blah Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nullam mollis in orci et bibendum. Duis euisod risus metus, a faucibus diam placerat sed. Suspendisse gravida sit amet lorem id ultrices. Donec vehicula odio
- [Organizer Apprenticeship](https://wvcantwait.com/organizer-apprenticeship/) - Organizer Apprenticeship These 6 West Virginians are this year’s WV Can’t Wait Organizing Apprentices. Each will receive a $30,000 award to support their work, administrative backing, and a year’s worth of organizing training and coaching. These Apprentices are organizing wage workers, people who use drugs, folks in recovery, teachers, Black West Virginians, farmers, and young
- [Hometown Hero Awards](https://wvcantwait.com/hometown-hero-awards/) - Hometown Hero Awards WV Can’t Wait is proud to announce our Hometown Hero Awards! In every West Virginia town, there are people who don’t have much but give everything they’ve got to help their neighbors. For their sacrifices, these “hometown heroes” almost never received the recognition or support they deserve. It’s time for that to
- [Homestead Act for WV](https://wvcantwait.com/homestead-act/) - Homesteading What We're Up Against Our land isn’t owned by us.Vast swaths of West Virginia land are owned or controlled by out-of-state corporations that aren’t invested in the state’s future like West Virginians are. Absentee landowners are rewarded with low property taxes and regulations that reward dilapidated properties.Meanwhile, small business owners are stuck, because our tax
- [End Government Waste](https://wvcantwait.com/end-government-waste/) - End Government Waste What We're Up Against Our tax dollars must benefit tax payers, not tax dodgers and profiteers. No more lavish office furniture, no more fancy retreats paid for with disaster relief money, no more government waste cover ups, and no more bloated payouts to politically-connected Good Old Boys. Our Plan Produce a detailed, easy-to-use,
- [End Election Buying](https://wvcantwait.com/end-election-buying-now/) - End Election Buying What We're Up Against What matters in politics is who you serve. Right now our political system is a rigged game that serves the wealthy. It doesn’t have to be this way. We will change the rules. Our Plan Limit the influence of lobbyists and dark money. Ban corporate lobbyists from participating in
- [Education Plan for West Virginia](https://wvcantwait.com/education-plan/) - The Education Plan What We're Up Against The West Virginia teachers and school service personnel strike sparked a nationwide movement, inspiring a generation of workers, parents, students and educators to fight for quality public education. But we have unfinished business. The Good Old Boys in the Capitol want us to think that West Virginians are divided about
- [Broadband for All](https://wvcantwait.com/broadband-for-all/) - Make Broadband a Public Utility in WV What We're Up Against West Virginia ranks 47th among the 50 states for broadband connectivity. Fully half a million people, 30% of our state’s residents, have no access to a high-speed, reliable internet. This lack, felt most severely in our rural places (where nearly half of people have
- [Higher Education for All](https://wvcantwait.com/higher-education-for-all/) - Higher Education for All What We're Up Against States that invest in higher education are thriving. States that don’t, aren’t.West Virginia has the highest rate in the nation–77%–of kids who need to take out loans to get through college. We also have the highest rate of student loan default in the nation.Where once a kid
- [Workers Bill of Rights](https://wvcantwait.com/workers-bill-of-rights/) - Workers Bill of Rights What We're Up Against When workers win, everyone benefits. Who’s responsible for the 40-hour work week, employer health insurance, child labor laws, and paid sick days? Union workers. When did we have the strongest middle class? When union participation was at its highest. With union membership gutted, it is no surprise that
- [Government of the People](https://wvcantwait.com/government-of-the-people/) - 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
- [Investing in the Arts](https://wvcantwait.com/investing-in-the-arts/) - Investing in the Arts What We're Up Against Our state has tried to choke the arts—with no more cabinet secretary, no more film office, and erasure from too many of our schools.We deserve an economy where all of us have enough to live on, not just with dignity, but also with beauty and community. We
- [Serve Family Farmers](https://wvcantwait.com/serve-family-farmers/) - Serve Family Farmers What We're Up Against Small and mid-size farms are the backbone of any stable economy. They provide healthy food, middle class jobs, and protection for our land and water. By contrast, Big Agriculture today has become an extraction industry making it hard for farmers to survive–let alone expand and hire more workers–and
- [Protect Our Land and Water](https://wvcantwait.com/protect-land-water/) - Protect Land, Water, and Working People What We're Up Against Out-of-state landowners have been lying to West Virginians for generations.They try to convince us we’re poor and we need them, when they’ve stolen the land from beneath our feet.They insist that their invasions of our communities will make us prosperous and free, all the while
- [Take Me Home](https://wvcantwait.com/take-me-home/) - Take Me Home What We're Up Against West Virginians are leaving because they’re saddled with student and medical debt, and they’re unable to pay off that debt here at home.Nearly three quarters of new graduates in West Virginia carry student debt, at an average of nearly $30,000 each. We also have the highest rate of
- [State Bank of West Virginia](https://wvcantwait.com/state-bank/) - State Bank of West Virginia What We're Up Against Instead of sending all our wealth away to millionaires and billionaires who couldn’t care less about us, with a State Bank of West Virginia, we will invest in ourselves: in small businesses, small farms, entrepreneurs, rural infrastructure, sustainable industries, young West Virginians, veterans, and more. We’ll
- [Penny Wealth Tax](https://wvcantwait.com/penny-wealth-tax/) - Penny Wealth Tax What We're Up Against If you feel like you’re working harder than you ever have but taking home less, it’s because you are. The people who have the most, pay the least. And the people who have the least, pay the most. Up is down. And the Good Old Boys Club always
- [Protect Our Children](https://wvcantwait.com/protect-our-children/) - Protect Our Children What We're Up Against Right now across West Virginia, working families have few–if any– options for affordable quality child care. While the median annual cost for a child under four in a full-time childcare center is $8,320 dollars, a single parent making minimum wage in West Virginia only makes $18,200. Working class parents
- [Keep Our Kids Here](https://wvcantwait.com/keep-our-kids-here/) - Keep Our Kids Here What We're Up Against 33 people today. 33 more tomorrow.33 is the average daily population loss for West Virginia. Population loss is a symptom of a much more devastating disease.For generations, at the direction of corporate lobbyists and the politicians they own, state government has conspired to ship our wealth away
- [Justice for our First Responders](https://wvcantwait.com/justice-for-our-first-responders/) - Justice for our First Responders What We're Up Against The people risking the most should not be treated the worst.This is especially true of our first responders: our firefighters, emergency medical services, and police officers.One volunteer firefighter told us: “If you dropped with a heart attack right here, it would take 45 minutes to get
- [Freedom for People with Disabilities](https://wvcantwait.com/freedom-for-people-with-disabilities/) - Freedom for People with Disabilities What We're Up Against The waiting list for people with disabilities to get an IDD (Intellectual/Developmental Disability) waiver from the state has more than a thousand people on it. In a state that can take upwards of 8-9 years for someone to be approved, it’s not uncommon for people to
- [WV Freedom Dividend](https://wvcantwait.com/wv-freedom-dividend/) - West Virginia Freedom Dividend What We're Up Against Out-of-state corporations have been robbing West Virginia of its land and labor forever. From salt and timber to coal and natural gas, West Virginia workers and surface owners have always worked harder and earned less than their fair share.Meanwhile, we’ve seen our pay, pension and the profits
- [Veterans Bill of Rights](https://wvcantwait.com/veterans-bill-of-rights/) - Veterans Bill of Rights What We're Up Against Those among us who sacrifice the most for our country, are treated the worst by our wealthy Good Old Boy politicians and the lobbyists and millionaires they serve.West Virginia is home to roughly 145,171 veterans, which is nearly 10% of the state’s population. The unemployment rate here
- [Fix the Roads!](https://wvcantwait.com/fix-the-roads/) - Fix the Roads! What We're Up Against Every day, we ask West Virginia voters what they would do if they were Governor. The number one answer is to end election buying and corruption in our state government.Number two? “Fix the roads.” Our Plan Take a proactive approach to our roads. Shift decision-making power from political
- [Fight discrimination and racism](https://wvcantwait.com/fight-discrimination-and-racism/) - Fight Discrimination and Racism What We're Up Against When we fight each other, we lose. When we fight for each other, we win. Blacks are just as likely to use and distribute drugs as whites, but six times as likely to go to prison. Your neighbor with disabilities is getting paid less for working the same
- [Empower WV Seniors](https://wvcantwait.com/empower-wv-seniors/) - Empower WV Seniors What We're Up Against There are no shortages of challenges facing seniors in West Virginia:Lack of transportationEconomic insecurityFood insecurityLack of affordable, safe housingLack of access to affordable healthcare, including mental health careToo many seniors are isolated, removed from friends, family, and community.No one knows the problems seniors face like they do, so
- [Robin Hood Tax Plan](https://wvcantwait.com/robin-hood-tax-plan/) - Robin Hood Tax Plan What We're Up Against West Virginia has the 37th most unfair state and local tax system in the country. This is partly because of our sales and excise taxes, which places a disproportionate burden on almost all of us. West Virginia also offers no fair income tax schedule to help ease
- [Small Business Revolution](https://wvcantwait.com/small-business-revolution/) - Small Business Revolution What We're Up Against The story of our economy is one where outside corporations come into our state, set up shop, buy off some politicians, and make a few folks rich. In some industries, these owners abandon us when the extraction boom goes bust. And in others, they pay us such low
- [Legalize Cannabis](https://wvcantwait.com/legalize-cannabis/) - Legalize Cannabis What WV Can’t Wait For To bring humane relief to those dealing with cancer, PTSD, epilepsy, addiction, pain, and other conditions; to help small farmers and entrepreneurs–and to boost our budget–we will legalize cannabis in West Virginia. Our Plan Fully legalize cannabis in West Virginia. Licenses for the growing and selling of cannabis
- [End Mass Incarceration](https://wvcantwait.com/end-mass-incarceration/) - End Mass Incarceration What We're Up Against West Virginia not only has “more federal prison cells per capita than any state” in the country, “almost one out of every 200 people in the state is locked up in a federal prison, a rate more than seven times higher than the country as a whole.” We
- [Privacy Policy](https://wvcantwait.com/privacy-policy/) - Privacy Policy WV Can't Wait has created this privacy notice to explain how we use information that you may provide while visiting our website and to demonstrate our firm commitment to Internet privacy. WV Can't Wait may modify this policy from time to time so we encourage you to check this page when revisiting this
- [Recovery Can't Wait](https://wvcantwait.com/recovery-cant-wait/) - Recovery Can't Wait What We're Up Against Imagine a state where every human life was always worth saving.Imagine babies getting the support they need and no adult life thrown away. Imagine community-based treatment being minutes away, not months. Imagine Recovery Community Centers that know that recovery is not one thing, that no two people have
- [Prosecute Corruption in West Virginia](https://wvcantwait.com/prosecute-corruption/) - Prosecute Corrupt Politicians and Corporate Criminals What We're Up Against Right now, we have two criminal justice systems: one for the rich, and one for the rest of us.The Southern Poverty Law Center agrees: you fare better if you’re guilty and rich, instead of poor and innocent.That’s not right or fair.Never again should one of our fellow citizens
- [Jobs Program for West Virginia](https://wvcantwait.com/mountaineer-service-corps-jobs-program/) - Mountaineer Service Corps Jobs Program What We're Up Against West Virginia’s economy is in turmoil. Compared to a generation ago, we have fewer jobs. Good jobs are harder to get, and harder to keep. And our wages are stagnating while inequality grows. We can and will create a thriving economy together, literally building it from the ground
- [End Homelessness in WV](https://wvcantwait.com/end-homelessness/) - End Homelessness​ in West Virginia What We're Up Against What we’re facing is the truth that housing is also basic health care. It’s a necessity for physical distancing that protects not just essential workers and businesses, but all of us. The challenge in rural areas like West Virginia is the vast inequity that exists, county-by-county, as
- [Miners Bill of Rights](https://wvcantwait.com/miners-bill-of-rights/) - Miners Bill of Rights What We're Up Against In West Virginia, the real fight has always been between mineworkers and coal executives. From the Mine Wars to the Black Lung Strikes and beyond, workers have stood on the side of solidarity, dignity, and the constitutional right to assemble. That’s whose side we’re on. Our Plan
- [Cut Healthcare Costs](https://wvcantwait.com/cut-healthcare-costs/) - Cut Healthcare Costs What We're Up Against No company should rake in billions of dollars in profits while their customers ration medicine. But today in this state we have great grandmothers rationing insulin so they can afford to feed the kids they’re raising.No one should go bankrupt because they’re sick. And yet big pharma companies
- [Nominate a Candidate](https://wvcantwait.com/nominate-a-candidate/)
- [Home](https://wvcantwait.com/home/) - West Virginia can't wait. WV Can’t Wait is a movement to win a people’s government in the Mountain State. What is WV Can’t Wait WV Can’t Wait is a movement to win a people’s government in our rural Mountain State--a government where the people who work the hardest and bear the most are also the
- [Coronavirus Plan for West Virginia](https://wvcantwait.com/coronavirus-plan-for-wv/) - Coronavirus Plan for WV What WV Can’t Wait ForWe deserve a bold, comprehensive, ongoing response to the coronavirus--one that doesn’t force us to choose between our health and our small businesses, our lives and our bank accounts. What We’re Up AgainstIn order to take on a monumental crisis, we must first name what the crisis
- [Vote WV Can’t Wait](https://wvcantwait.com/vote-now/) - Vote WV Can’t Wait Here’s How to Vote for a People’s Government on November 3rd How to Make Sure You’re Registered to Vote in WVStep 1 Use this link to make sure you are registered to vote at your correct address.Step 2 If you aren’t yet registered, or if you need to change your address, you can
- [List of Not-for-Sale Candidates](https://wvcantwait.com/join-the-movement/list-of-not-for-sale-candidates/) - Not-For-Sale Candidate List The only way we’ll get the kind of government we deserve is if we take it. More than 40 candidates who signed the WV Can’t Wait candidate pledge have won their primary or won their race outright—and we are still adding more candidates! The more of us who stick together, the more hardworking
- [New Deal for WV](https://wvcantwait.com/new-deal-wv/) - New Deal for West Virginia West Virginians have borne too much for too long, but our freedom will not be won with small ideas or half-measures. It's time for a New Deal for West Virginia. The Constitution of West Virginia was ratified in 1872. The authors of that document had come through hell and high
- [Volunteer](https://wvcantwait.com/volunteer-2/)
- [COVID 19 (Coronavirus) Information](https://wvcantwait.com/coronavirus/) - WV Coronavirus Resource Page Click the links below for fast navigation, or keep scrolling down to read every section in order. West Virginia State AdvisoriesFacts about coronavirusTesting in West VirginiaVoting in West VirginiaUnemployment in West VirginiaReceiving your stimulus checkSmall Business HelpFood/Medicine resources in West VirginiaVolunteering in West VirginiaProtect yourselfCoronavirus Plan that Justice could implement TODAY"Flattening the
- [Why I'm Running](https://wvcantwait.com/why-im-running/) - Why I'm Running A letter from Stephen Smith You can feel it. This is a moment. Every 50 years or so, the nation turns to West Virginia for leadership. The Civil War, the Mine Wars, the Teachers’ Strike--it is in our blood to fight for our people, no matter their race, their accent, or who
- [People’s Platform](https://wvcantwait.com/peoples-platform/) - People’s Platform This is an old page! Please view the new platform summary HERE. You can also view all the detailed plans HERE. For most families, the West Virginia economy has spent four decades in free fall. Compared to our grandparents’ generation, there are fewer jobs. Those jobs pay less. They are harder to get
- [A Conversation with Stephen](https://wvcantwait.com/why-im-running/stephen/) - A Conversation with Stephen Want to know more about Stephen Smith? Below are some of the common questions we get during town halls, from donors, and during visits with small business owners and union shops. Where were you born? I was born in Charleston, WV on December 18, 1979 at CAMC. My sister Allison was
- [Events](https://wvcantwait.com/events/) - Upcoming Events Find an event near you!
- [Brand Visuals](https://wvcantwait.com/brand-visuals/) - Brand visuals Hello! Here you'll find not only our logo files for your use but details on requesting your own personalized logo, as well as some guidelines to help you use our brand and assets. Take a look! About our brandFilesCreate your own logoColorColor CombosTextPlease do, and don't About our brand Understanding the brand identity
- [WV Living West Virginian of the Year](https://wvcantwait.com/why-im-running/wv-living-west-virginian-of-the-year/) - West Virginian of the YEAR Written by and photographed by Zack Harold "Smith is planning a gubernatorial bid unlike any other in West Virginia history." says Zack Harold in WV Living Magazine's West Virginians of the Year article. For the past six years, Stephen Smith helped West Virginians help themselves. Then he quit his job as
- [Donate](https://wvcantwait.com/donate/) - Fund the movement Donate Together, we’ve broken the record for the most donations in a West Virginia Governor’s race, ever. People from every single county in the state have chipped in because we refuse corporate PAC money. FUND THE MOVEMENT Donate JOIN THE MOVEMENT We have volunteer captains in every corner of the state, and
- [Your Not-For-Sale Candidate Results](https://wvcantwait.com/your-not-for-sale-candidate-results/) - Not-For-Sale candidates YOU can vote for! No record was found. FUND THE MOVEMENT We’ve raised more small donations than all of the 2016 Democratic candidates for Governor combined. This movement is fueled by people-sized donations. We don’t take corporate cash. Donate JOIN THE MOVEMENT We have County Captains, Constituency Captains and Candidates running with us
- [Recovery](https://wvcantwait.com/recovery/) - Building a state of recovery A Public Service Announcement brought to you by Stephen Smith for Governor: “My name is Stephen Smith and I’m running for Governor. But one Governor alone won’t save us from the overdose crisis. We need you…” Carry Naloxone Not many West Virginans know how easy it is to start carrying
- [Invite Stephen!](https://wvcantwait.com/invite-stephen/) - Invite Stephen! Do you want to chat with Stephen? We want that, too! Here's how to schedule a phone call with Stephen. Click on the button below to email him directly, so we can schedule a call.We need 1,000 leaders, not 1, to win a government that works for all of us. We can't wait
- [Join a Constituency Team!](https://wvcantwait.com/constituency-teams/) - Join a Constituency Team! We need 1000 leaders, not 1. Here's why we need leaders like YOU to join the WV Can't Wait movement and be a part of a constituency team:A civil rights movement cannot win without the leadership of Black folks.A labor movement cannot succeed without the leadership of workers.And we will never

## New Deals

- [TEST End Election Buying](https://wvcantwait.com/new-deal/test-end-election-buying/)

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