Del. Sean Hornbuckle, D-Cabell, (right) speaks on September 11, 2025 during the “Kitch Table Tour” of the Haus Democrats in Huntington’s Kitchen. It is (left to right) moderator Wowk 13New’s anchor Amanda Barren, del. Mike Pushkin, D-Kanawha, del. Hollis, D-Kanawha and Sen. (Photo by Amelia Ferrell Knisely/West Virginia o’clock)
The democratic legislator in West Virginia started her nationwide tour in Huntington on Thursday and asked questions from residents who were concerned about the payment of their invoices, their local schools and their health insurance.
A state employee threw a question about the question of wonder about The insurance agency for public workers who were not treated during the last legislative period. “My basic question is that my wife will lose her health insurance?” he asked.
It was the first stop at West Virginia House Democrats “Kitchen table tour” that will be around the increasingly red condition This autumn you speak to the member groups before the legislative period in 2026. The GOP supermajority in the legislative ignored urgent problems, according to the democrats, such as the need for tidy drinking water, childcare options and exploding care costs.
“We want to focus on topics that we have to concentrate on.
About 50 people took part in the first stop of the tour in Huntington’s Kitchen.
House MiNority Chair Sean Hornbuckle, D-Cabell and DEL. Hollis Lewis, D-Kanawha, took part in the event with Sen. Joey Garcia, D-Marion, who steps for part of the tour to the House Democrats. Other democratic legislators will connect future stops.
“West Virginia, in contrast to any other place that is probably in the union, we are probably all equally when it comes to these kitchen table problems,” said Lewis. “Everyone was worried about their high tower bill. Everyone was worried about whether I can get a good job, whether their grandchildren cannot afford a college … We are fighting for them and they have the opportunity to fight for themselves.”
The party also hopes to recruit volunteers and candidates before the elections next year. There are 11 democratic members in state legislation that is overwhelming GOP And keeps a super majority in both chambers. After Years as a blue stateRepublican voter registration grows in the Trump-friendly stateAnd democratic registrations now only make up 28% of the voters registered by West Virginia.
In the 2024 elections, 50 House of Delegate and Senate Races – almost all with Republican candidates – were undisputed.
“We did a lot with a little. We only need it anymore,” said Hornbuckle. “We were able to effectively slow some things, and from time to time we stop this legislation, but we urgently need more pay.”
Education a great concern in Huntington
WoWK news anchor Amanda Barken moderated the event and started with a retired teacher who immediately asked about the effects of the state school voucher program, the Hope scholarship. The Almost 100 million US dollar programFounded in 2021, families offer around 5,200 USD per student for taxpayers for private schools, homeschooling and more.
“Some people just won’t refuse and they don’t understand the consequences,” said Hornbuckle.
Cabell County Schools contained Huntington A decrease in financing of 7.1 million US dollars this year. The population decline was also a factor.
Hornbuckle said he is planning to introduce laws next year, according to which families have to apply the Hope scholarship to pay their public school if their child wants to take part in athletics or art programs.
“Since they pulled out this money, they are not currently paying for the services,” he said.
Puschkin emphasized that there are only confined guardrails for the program and millions of dollars from the scholarships of Hope were Is used in schools outside the state And to buy iPads, dance studio fees and more.
House Democrats suggested a The invoice The ban on using Hope scholarships at schools outside the state, but the measure was not taken to check this legislative session.
With more families Selection of homeschoolingA woman in the audience said she was worried about children who were taught at home without supervision. “We don’t know if these children are put in a bad situation,” she said.
Garcia replied that the legislature still has to work on adding guidelines Limited regulations for schoolwho notice 2018 Death of 8-year-old Raylee Browning, who, according to the teacher, reported potential child abuse after the teacher. Three adults Are in prison for your death.
In 2024 a girl from Boone County died of apparent hunger During the homeschooled.
No laws have been changed to tighten the laws at school in cases of suspicion of child abuse Despite attempts by Haus democrats.
“It is the easiest way to have a close exception, and we couldn’t survive. It’s crazy,” said Garcia. “This is one of the things we are fighting against – to have more responsibility for these children, especially for those who are in this vulnerable condition.”
Other participants asked questions about affordable living space, and a woman shared the challenge emotionally the challenge that paid off with a mortgage. She was worried about others who, despite the work, cannot find a sheltered and affordable place to live with children.
“I know how close I am poverty and I’m a nurse … I don’t know how [families] Do it, “she said.” If you are down, you can’t get up. “
There were also concerns about the confined public transport of the state and Massive lack of childcare centers.
The democratic legislature made notes about the concerns of people and said they wanted to learn more and examine potential future measures – especially non -partisan laws – to address problems.
“Stay in communication, call us, send us an e -mail … In this way we can strategies if we need strategies,” said Lewis. “In the end, don’t be discouraged. Don’t be down. The power is with us.”
The data for the rest of the tour are:
- Martinsburg on September 15th
- Morgantown on September 30th
- Charleston on October 7th
- Fairmont on October 14th
- Wheeling on October 16
- Lewisburg on October 23rd
- Beckley on November 3
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