Here are the questions we tried to get Chris Miller to answer

Mountain State Spotlight reached out to Chris Miller campaign several times requesting an interview, then sent written questions. We did not receive a response to any of them. Here’s what we asked:

You’ve said that you have the experience to lead the state due to your success in selling cars and growing your network of dealerships. The governor oversees appointments, compiling a budget, and is the leader of the state’s executive branch — how do you think you’re suited for these responsibilities?

During the candidate forums, you’ve brought up a potential issue with the state’s bond rating. Can you explain why the average West Virginian should care about this issue?

You’ve said you’re in favor of completely eliminating the personal income tax on day one if you were elected governor. You’ve also said the flow of capital from people and businesses moving from the state would offset revenue loss. At least one of your opponents has said that could lead to a massive hike in the sales tax. If you can get the income tax eliminated, how do you intend to offset the loss in revenue?

Our readers are concerned about infrastructure, such as water, sewer, roads and broadband. As Governor, how will you prioritize state and federal dollars in addressing those needs?

During the two candidate forums, you’ve mentioned eliminating the bureaucracy in the education system as a way to free up money for the classroom and teachers. However, when asked by Hoppy Kercheval, you said you wouldn’t eliminate the 55 county Board of Educations to do so. In 2021, you tweeted that you were in favor of eliminating the 55 BOEs and going to a regional BOE system. Why has your thinking changed on this issue?

Here’s another one from the readers — what will you do to support high-quality education in West Virginia?

This is a question from our readers — how will you balance economic development with protecting West Virginia’s water, air and land quality?

You’ve said you’re in favor of building a border wall with Mexico to fight the opioid epidemic in West Virginia and you’ve also said the best way to beat the epidemic is “keep families intact.” What does that mean for the West Virginian who is currently suffering from addiction and needs help?

A lot of our readers told us abortion was a top issue for them. You’ve gone on record in support of the state’s current laws regarding abortion, saying it works just fine. What is your stance on other issues in regards to reproductive health, such as contraceptives and the morning after pill?

As governor, how will you make health care more affordable and accessible for vulnerable populations like the poor, women, seniors, people of color, people with disabilities and LGBT+ West Virginians?

This is one from our readers — what will you do to ensure housing is available and affordable to those who need it in West Virginia’s growing communities, such as Berkeley and Jefferson counties in the EP?

You’ve received a lot of money from folks around Huntington and the auto-dealer industry. As Governor, you will be serving all West Virginians. Do you believe you will be able to do that, without showing favor to one particular industry or one particular city?

Our current Governor has had many questions raised about conflicts of interest between his job as the state’s chief executive and his private businesses. You have said you would stop handling day-to-day affairs at your businesses, but that — like Gov. Justice — you would not put those into a blind trust. Won’t this arrangement lead to the same conflict-of-interest questions that have consistently come up under the Justice administration?

Here are the questions we tried to ask Miller’s opponents — Patrick Morrisey and Moore Capito . Mac Warner is the only GOP gubernatorial candidate who agreed to a sit-down interview; you can read the transcript here.

Here are the questions we tried to get Chris Miller to answer appeared first on Mountain State Spotlight , West Virginia's civic newsroom.