Live Chat with Carrie Webster 

9:11 The Charleston Gazette:  Welcom to the Gazette's live chat with Carrie Webster.
 
9:12 The Charleston Gazette:  I opened the chat room a little early this morning to give folks time to ask some questions before we begin. We'll start answering at 9:30. Thanks for participating.
 
9:27 The Charleston Gazette:  We'll Start in about five minutes.
 
9:31 Delegate Carrie Webster:  Good Morning.   I am delighted to be participating in this on line chat and look forward to addressing your questions.   My typing is not the best so be patient.   
9:31 [Comment From Ben]
Hi Carrie, I live on the west side. Do you have an agenda for the west side in terms of crime prevention and grandfather clause zoning issues? 
9:33 Delegate Carrie Webster: 
Not sure what you mean abt zoning question but we do have a big initiative that will focus on economic development and housing initiatives, job training etc and target several communities incl Westside.   Its passed House and in Senate and its very exciting if it passes and I think it will
 
9:33 [Comment From The Duke]
Do you have any opinions about who should be named as a state Supreme Court Justice? 
9:35 Delegate Carrie Webster: 
Will be very dificult to fill Justice Albright's shoes. former Justice Thomas McHugh who is currently sitting on Court in his place, brings credibility and stability to court.   Bottom line: someone who will be the type of jurist that Albright was and McHugh is
 
9:35 [Comment From h wilson]
Delegate Webster, can you update me on the status of the low bid engineering bill? thank you. 
9:35 Delegate Carrie Webster:  Its still in Jud subcommittee and has been cooly received.   Its on life support. 
9:36 [Comment From Guest]
The recent dental hygienist bill, which would expand the scope of practice for dental hygienist, has been widely debated due to it's "written order" language. For health centers and clinics that provide dental care to very rural areas, this written order language is a barrier to access. Do you view the "written order" language as an access issue or as a profession (dentist/dental hygienist) issue? 
9:37 Delegate Carrie Webster: 
Del Bobbie Hatfield has been vocal advocate on this to increase access.   Dental Board and Asso says without invovlement of dentist in dental cleanings, it puts patients at risk.   Not sure where Comm will land on this issue.
 
9:37 [Comment From Charlie]
We would like an update on SB238 and how Delegate Webster thinks this bill will help the West Virginia economy 
9:39 Delegate Carrie Webster:  I am lead sponsor on House side and I do think it is imp issue - non discrimination policies and laws are business friendly.   To me, its a very important piece of legislation and I will push vigorously for its passage. 
9:40 [Comment From Amanda]
Delegate Webster- First off, please accept my sincere thanks for your service to West Virginia. I appreciate and pray for you and all of our local, state and federal elected officials. A two part question.... Part One - More than 90 percent of West Virginians believe that they, not politicians or the courts, should define marriage. While you are welcome to disagree with me on the definition of marriage - I believe it to be one man and one woman - why do you oppose allowing a state wide referendum vote to define marriage, when clearly the citizens of West Virginia want to decide this moral issue? Part Two - I would like you to clarify recent remarks to the media. You recently referred to calls to your office regarding this subject as a "manipulation." I'm among those who contacted you. How is a matter that I care about and express concern over to my democratically elected representatives a manipulation? I thought it was my duty as a citizen to actively voice my concerns to my representative? Secondly, you've said that allowing citizens to decide this issue would be a "disservice to the public." How is the principle of self-governance a disservice? Thank you for answering my question. 
9:44 Delegate Carrie Webster:  Amanda, I sincerely apologize if my remarks, as depicted in media, offended you.   Let me clarify.   My staff was harrassed by many people, incl people from out of state, who said they were told [by outside group] to contact me to support issue.   The manipulation to which I refer is directed at certain individuals [or groups]   that have convinced voters that we do not have laws that already define marriage.   We do.   In my view, they are trying to defeat SB 238.   The issue is not before my committee, but like Senator Byrd and many others, I do not believe our constitutions should be used to discriminate - its a progressive document that should only be amended in the most unique circumstances.   Our law does what you want it to do.   
9:45 [Comment From Randy]
Clean indoor air has been a big issue on the local level. Some people have advocated taking this authority away from the health boards and making it a political issue in either county commissions or the legislature. I think this is a really bad idea as the health boards were created to put the health of the community before politics. Do you agree? 
9:46 Delegate Carrie Webster:  Yes.   Although in Kanawha County, I personally believe the Health Department should have grandfathered in those bars, like Bar 101 and Vandalia, who had invested significant funds for venilation systems two years before the ban. 
9:46 [Comment From Guest]
Will The magistrates education bill EVER have any change of passing, or will stone ae thlinking prevent it from being considered? Should the Silver Haired Legislataure, who brought it up, perhaps concentrate on something else, or is it worth pursuing again and again next year? Janet, Judiciary comm. Silver Haired Legislature 
9:47 Delegate Carrie Webster:  I do, but not this year.   It was rejected by Govt Org because it required a college degree.   I think we should auth Sup Court to promulgate rules that set forth criteria for magistrate training and seek statewide input in doing so.
 
9:47 [Comment From Mrs. Weintraub]
I love SB 672, which will create a special joint legislative committee on mental health -- which you will co-chair (!). It's about time you guys took a close look at how our mental health system is coordinated and funded. We are see increasing suffering among those we serve here at Covenant House. We need more community-based supports. Are you excited by this too? How do you feel about the bill? 
9:49 Delegate Carrie Webster:  Its long overdue and disheartened to me that the proposed budget only had an add'l 2 million dollars directed at the overcrowding issue.   We are moving away from community based treatment and need to be moving towards more, not less.   I fully support it. 
9:49 [Comment From Jamie Fox]
Delegate Webster: Delegate Blair is seeking publicity for his drug testing bill for unemployed workers who lost their jobs due to the poor economy. What data, studies or statistics has he offered to support his claim that these unfortunate people are addicted to drugs and should be tested? Does he intend to test members of the Legislature? It seems that this legislation is unconstitutional, and nothing more than a publicity stunt to garner votes. How can we single out this group? Judge Goodwin has already entered an order in Federal Court finding that drug testing of teachers is unconstitutional. Teachers are certainly in a much more safety intense position since they have control of our children. Why target the downtrodden, especially when no legitimate, compelling state interest exists for drug testing? What meaningful legislation has been offered by Del. Blair to fix the economy or save the jobs such as those in the timber and logging industry? 
9:52 Delegate Carrie Webster:  Thanks for your question.   Ironically, several colleagues of mine offered amendments to decrease drug testing of employees in safety sensitive positions - the one area the Court has said is constitutional.   When I publicly commented about the drug testing bill, I intended to make the points that you just did - cost, implementation, constitutionality, effect on children, availaibility of drug treatment programs, etc..   I asked Delegate Blair in phone message if he had done his due dilligence in obtaining and answering the questions you just posed to me.   I have not heard back from him. 
9:53 [Comment From Concerned in Kanawha]
Delegate Webster -- Good morning and thanks for your time. What's the status of the drug testing bill? I hope you'll let it out of committee... it deserves to be voted on in the House. 
9:55 [Comment From Guest]
What are your thoughts on the Methadone tax bill? I would hope that everyone would support this. Those "treatment" centers are nothing more than a cheaper alternative to more expensive drugs. They do not help addicts and should be outlawed. 
9:55 Delegate Carrie Webster:  I have requested info from DHHR about cost etc and am researching it, but let me say that good ideas sometimes make bad law.   When I said I am "guardian" of public policy earlier in media, I meant that its my job to make sure we have adequate info, accurate data and full input from all stakeholders before we pass law.   I try to do this with all legislation, even those issue which I may be personally opposed to. 
9:56 Delegate Carrie Webster:  I'm told its unconstitutional but its not before my committee.   I support it, because we do not have funds directed at drug treatment, prevention etc.   We have a drug epidemic and laws on the books to punish those who commit drug induced crimes , but no funds to support those who are addicted. 
9:57 [Comment From Jonathan]
Good morning Delegate Webster! House bills 2790 (State Capitol Carry Ban Repeal), 2752 (Eliminating the requirement of an applicant for a license to carry concealed weapons to provide his or her Social Security number), and 3335 (Relating to limitations upon the keeping and bearing of arms) are strongly supported by the West Virginia Citizens Defense League. Are you a supporter of these bills? 
9:59 Delegate Carrie Webster:  hello.   I doubt legislators will pass law that permits public to carry guns into and around capitol, even if they have lawful permits.   I do support deleting SS # from license and am not sure what 3335 proposes to do. 
10:00 [Comment From Sam]
What are the chances of passing a publicly financed elections bill, even if it is restricted to judges? Thanks for your response! 
10:03 Delegate Carrie Webster:  Unfortunately, not good this year!   Until third party money, which is currently unregulated and undisclosed, is constitutionally addressed, publicly funded campaigns will not draw the number of candidates we'd like, because of the third party money.   Some also want to incorporate non partisan to a bill that would fund judicial races, and others, who support notion of public funds, don't want non partisan - they believe voters should decide.   I support it but think it won't happen this year. 
10:03 [Comment From Deep Blue]
Delegate Webster, concerning efforts to amend the state constitution to allow only Straight couples to marry: Why not re-phrase the measure to grant "marriage" to Straight couples and "civil unions" to Gay couples? Both arrangements would have the same legal benefits and responsibilities, therefore law-abiding, taxpaying Gay couples in West Virginia would be afforded equal protection under the law. I'm willing to be diplomatic about this. 

10:06 Delegate Carrie Webster:  I give you credit - that concept is very creative.   Given that George W. Bush publicly support civil unions (at same time he opposed gay marriage) you'd think there would be some middle ground.   On the other hand, in addition to laws we have that only recognize marraige as between a man and woman, clergy can never be compelled to marry someone.   In fact, you can get a certificate on line to marry people right now if you pay a fee.   So, I am not sure why there is so much focus on a constitutional amendment.   

10:07 [Comment From Derek]
Hello Delegate Webster. West Virginia has received international publicity for the recent proposal to ban Barbie. Is this a legitimate expenditure of time for you and other legislators to consider, and if so, aren't there countless products on the market that should similarly be banned? Or is this really just a grandstanding gesture that brings unnecessary ridicule to our state? We have enough problems just fending off the negative stories about Corridor H from CNN and Fox. 

10:10 Delegate Carrie Webster:  I agree with you about other products that should be banned.   However, I will point out, respectfully, that legislators, like citizens, are entitled to exercise their free speech, and in this instance, a legislator merely put a bill in that would ban something (i.e. Barbie).   Truth be told, it probably took only 10 to 15 minutes to prepare that bill for introduction.   No one ever planned to run it and it was the media that saw it and brought it to the public.   If you look up bills that have been introduced, your jaw will drop.   One requires a parenting class and certificate before one can get married, and that is mild compared to others.   I regret the negative depiction but sexy sells these days.. 

10:11 [Comment From Chuck Anziulewicz]
As someone who has been actively involved with West Virginia's Gay community for some 20 years, I find it dismaying that every year proposals to protect LGBT West Virginians from job discrimination gets beaten back. Admittedly we don't have the political clout of the Religious Right. What do we have to do? Too many productive Gay people in this state continue to live in fear for losing their jobs if their employers find out. 

10:16 Delegate Carrie Webster:  Chuck, it literally breaks my heart and I do FEEL your pain and the pain of others.  Words cannot describe the horror I felt during the member  debate last year in my Judiciary committee room.   We see President Obama and think, "wow, look how far we have come."   Then, you hear the comments and hatred we have seen these past few weeks and say "Wow, we have such a long way to go.!"   In my view, and I have never really held back, legislators in many areas just do not want take the heat from constituents.   I don't think the majority are actually against 278. Rather, they get push back from groups that spew hatred and use scare tactics to convince their constituents these bills do things they do not.   I give you my word, I will and have done all I can do to push this issue forward. 

10:17 The Charleston Gazette:  This will be our last question.
 

10:17 [Comment From Derek]
Good morning Delegate Webster! This question is a little different, but I wanted to give you a chance to comment on it, given your experience at West Virginia University. WVU just named a female (Rebecca Durst) as next year's Mountaineer mascot, the second time in its history that a woman will be the Mountaineer. I know you were personal friends with Natalie Tennant when she was named the first female Mountaineer, and you saw first-hand some of the abuse that she faced. Are you happy to see another female Mountaineer, and what advice would you give to Ms. Durst? 

10:26 Delegate Carrie Webster:  The good news is that Rebecca has not [hopefully] been subjected to the abuse that Natalie was in the 1980's.   My advice to Rebecca and to everyone out there who faces public scrutiny and critcisim is to do what you think its right.   Embrace the challenges, do not run from them.   And, try to never want something so bad that you will do whatever it is to have it.   I love being Judiciary chair because I believe public policy is important.   I also feel privileged to be in the legislature and am humbled by those who continue to support me, although some of my stands are controversial.   But, at the end of the day, I know I have to be true to myself.   I was in the back row of the legislature for four years because I fought reform that hurt consumers, workers and families.   For the past eight years, I have fought for the rights of others - gays, women, minorities, the poor and downtrodden.   Nothing that is important and that makes a difference is without controversy.   That being said, I try to do what I think is right.   If I am rejected by the voters before I am ready to retire, I will accept it and move on and continue to try and do good things.   I think that is what Natalie has done and look where she is.
So, Rebecca, in closing, I say good luck and congrats!   You will be stronger and better as a result of this experience.   And, one day, gender won't matter! 

10:27 The Charleston Gazette:  This concludes our live chat with Carrie Webster
 

10:27 The Charleston Gazette:  We would like to thank her once again for participating.