#district6

My Soundwave got first and I was so happy when I saw that! 😊 (was told that the judge liked him to) #myartwork #transformers #transformersprime #soundwave #decepticons #ontariofairs #oaas #ancasterfair #district6

Delegate Stephens is the incumbent running for re-election in the Republican Primary for the 6th District of the House of Delegates, and he’s listed his “Top Issues” as Workforce participation, PEIA, Foster Care, the Hope Scholarship, and Mental Health and Substance Abuse Below, Delegate Stephens answers specific questions concerning each of those issues. Jeff likes to make his time in Charleston as much fun as possible, and sometimes that means he has to dress the part. WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION: What do you believe are the biggest factors involved with the state’s dismal workforce participation rate, and what would you propose for implementation to help that percentage to increase in the future? The two biggest issues I see in our lack of workforce participation are childcare and the health of our citizens. I’ve just started digging into our childcare system and the improvements that we can make. As it stands today, most families are two-income families, which makes childcare a must. I’m glad to be a part of legislation that phases out subsidies as people get raises, goes back to enrollment-based reimbursement (which helps our daycare centers immensely), and extends tax credits to employers who help subsidize daycare. In the future, I’d like to work on a three-tiered system that would have the employer, employee, and state all pay a portion.  It’s not a secret that we rank last or close to last in rates of obesity, diabetes, etc., with all the bad health outcomes. This directly affects our workforce participation as our people are not healthy enough to work. Prospective businesses and industries look at this and may turn away from West Virginia. We have an opportunity in our schools to change this through our health and physical education classes. I will work to make health and physical education requirements in schools. I know we have a lot more options for classes now than ever before, but if our kids are not healthy enough to go on to have a career in these fields, then why are we offering them? Having a healthier society will lead to more workforce participation, lower insurance costs, and make us more attractive to future businesses and industries.    Stephens was sworn by House Speaker Roger Hanshaw in November 2023. PEIA: As an educator in Marshall County, you are in the perfect position to understand the issues surrounding the state’s Public Employee Insurance program … so, what are your ideas to bring PEIA to the point where it’s fully funded into the future?  To fully fund PEIA is like trying to score a touchdown with a goal line that keeps moving further down the field. We have rising costs of healthcare, and that includes prescription medicines. We have to look into our PBM (pharmacy benefit managers) and how much money they are actually saving us in our prescription drug prices. And what changes can be made to help control the cost of prescription medicines for our taxpayers and the public employees on PEIA.  Another topic we can cover is different types of coverage for the variety of people that are on PEIA (such as adding the Gold Plan this year). Plans with lower premiums with much higher co-pays can also be looked into. This may not be ideal for everyone, but for younger, healthier employees, this could save money for both them and the taxpayers. We also need to look into speciality drug plans - there is a planned 12 percent increase on prescription drug claim costs in 2026 vs just over 5 percent for other medical expenses. I think we’ll always be behind the 8 Ball in health insurance costs due to the continued rise in cost of care and prescriptions. I think a totally different approach to the increasing cost of PEIA would be pay raises for public employees. This is one way that we can keep up with surrounding states, while also offering a competitive health insurance plan. Stephens does his best to remain in contact with as many of his constituents and business owners in the 6th District. FOSTER CARE: Although the state’s Foster Care program has been an important topic for a number of years, Gov. Morrisey vetoed three child welfare-focused measures and another Republican bill aimed at funding for helping children in abuse and neglect cases. What’s next? The next thing to do is bring back probably the most important of these issues and that’s children who are aging out of the foster care system and need help in directing their lives. We need to assist these individuals with finding a job, a place to live, and how to become an adult. Most of these young adults lack these skills and just need some help. Unfortunately, there is a high risk of these young adults becoming homeless, addicted to drugs, and/or incarcerated. So, a little help now could save them from these awful situations in the future. In no way am I saying we should be just handing these young adults a free place to stay, free food, etc., but assistance with these life skills will be great for them and great for society.      Stephens is an educator at Sherrard Middle School where he teaches West Virginia history. HOPE SCHOLARSHIP: Now that the Hope Scholarship Program has expanded to all children in West Virginia, what are your primary concerns with the program, and how would you address those issues?  I’m not sure if I have one major primary concern or a few major concerns. We need to look at the expenditures and where our taxpayer money is going. I think we can look at Minnesota and see what happens when taxpayer dollars are used without much oversight. There are areas of the program that could be open for fraud and no one wants to be involved with fraud and our taxpayer dollars. So, one issue that I feel we can tighten up is the expenditures and list of approved vendors that are accepting the scholarship. Another concern would be the cost of the program and creating the state’s annual budget. The program could cost $20 million to $400 million or more, which makes it very difficult to create a balanced budget. There are always estimates based on previous usage, but those can be off. Something we can do is cap the total amount in the program, based on previous numbers. Take that amount, divide it by the number of people who sign up by a certain date, and then distribute the money. The total amount divided by the number signed up would be the amount each student receives. If there is any leftover, anyone who applies after the given date could be given a portion of that leftover money. These two things would help stabilize the program and make it viable in the future.      Stephens enjoys working with lawmakers from throughout the state of West Virginia while he's at work in the state capital. MENTAL HEALTH and SUBSTANCE ABUSE: What ideas do you support when it comes to addressing the mental health and substance abuse crises in West Virginia?  We need to upgrade and add facilities to assist with mental health and substance abuse. Substance abuse has been an issue in West Virginia for too long. Now that we have received $980 million over the next 18 years in opioid settlements, I’m sure we can put some money into long-term care facilities for the very people it was meant for or the substance abuse that these companies that we settled with caused. We did have some funding set aside for a grant program to research ibogaine, which can be used to combat drug addiction and PTSD. The governor vetoed that bill, but thankfully, President Trump signed an executive order to accelerate the research into ibogaine and its potential to help addiction and PTSD.  Mental health is very complicated and I feel we need to set up facilities across the state to treat individuals with mental illness. There is no one-size-fits-all approach, some may need assistance for months, some may need help the rest of their lives. Having more specialized facilities would help people suffering from mental illness; they could receive the help that they need and deserve. Mental health disorders can lead to drug addiction, homelessness, and other issues that are out of those individuals' control. When we address the underlying cause, we can also assist with these other issues.   Read the full article

He changed his mind. After learning more from healthcare professionals in his 6th District, Del. Jeff Stephens made the informed decision that it wasn’t the right time to repeal the state’s Certificate of Need program. So, all the way back in February 2025, he voted against the repeal in a House Health Committee meeting and House Bill 2007 failed, 13-12. It also put an end to an initiative adopted by W.Va. Gov. Patrick Morrisey – he even mentioned it in his very first State of the State Address – and now, more than a year later, Stephens is battling against thousands of dollars’ worth of negative political ads that spread “pure misinformation.” The political action committees distributing the negative mailers are Sugar Maple and School Freedom Fund, both of which are affiliated with the Club for Growth, a big supporter of W.Va. Gov. Patrick Morrisey. “I knew it was coming,” the District 6 Delegate admitted. “I was told, not by the people doing it, but by other people who are getting attacked for the same reasons. They told me, ‘You know you’re going to get attacked because you disagreed with the Governor.’ It’s a bully mentality, but you can’t bully me. Jeff's father, Pat, visits his son in Charleston from time to time during the Legislature's annual regular sessions. “I can't be bullied. I won't be bullied,” Stephens insisted. “That’s one of the things we stand up against in education. You don't bully people, and I won't be bullied.” Stephens was appointed to the District 6 seat by former Gov. Jim Justice in October 2023 after former lawmaker Charlie Reynolds resigned to accept a manager’s position with the Division of Highways. Stephens was elected to the position in 2024 and is now facing an opponent in the Republican Primary on May 12th. “I represent 18,000 people, and I've got to represent them strongly, and I've got to represent them with pride, with honor, with dignity. And I know I'm doing that,” Stephens said. “And you have to be strong sometimes. You have to be able to stand up to people and just say no. You can't always be a ‘Yes Man’, and sometimes that rubs people the wrong way. They don't like that. “But guess what? I'm not going to be an automatic ‘Yes’ person. I want to work with people. I want to make lives better for the people of Marshall County, and for the people of West Virginia,” he explained. “That's who I'm working for, and I think working together with my fellow delegates and the senators, I think we can do that.” Stephens attends every local event that he can so he is accessible to the people of the 6th House District. It’s About Representation He teaches West Virginia history to eighth graders at Sherrard Middle School, and his position as the “local lawmaker” has added a dimension since he joined the House almost three years ago. In fact, Stephens has been asked by a few of his students about the negative misinformation that’s been spread, and he’s told the children the same thing he’s offered local voters. “If we as a Legislature are going to accomplish good things, I think all of the branches have to work together,” he insisted. “So, when people start attacking you, you have a decision to make, and I’ve decided I’m not going to do that stuff. I’m not going to get into the negative. People know who I am, and I think that rides on its own. Former W.Va. Gov. Jim Justice appointed Jeff to the House of Delegates - with Babydog's help, of course - in October 2023 after Charlie Reynolds resigned for an employment opportunity with the state. “I want to talk about the issues, but instead, these mailers want to make people think you're a bad person. They say you did this, you did that,” Stephens said. “How about we talk about the childcare issue we have in the state, or healthcare or job creation? Those are some of the topics I want to talk about.” He served on the Education, Health and Human Resources, and Public Education committees during the recent regular session, he’ll be on the Committee on Flooding during this year’s Interim sessions, and Stephens hopes to continue his service to the residents of the 6th House District. Just ask him. He's a teacher for Marshall County Schools, and he teaches West Virginia's history to eighth graders at Sherrard Middle School. “If a voter has any questions about the misinformation on those flyers, they should reach out to me so they can get to know me better. That way, they’ll know that the lies are just that, lies,” Stephens said. “I want to run on my merits, and I want to run on my intentions as a member of the House of Delegates. I want the chance to explain what I want to do for Marshall County. “That’s what I want to do and that’s what I’m going to do. I want to go back to the House and continue working on childcare and foster care. I want to keep discussing PEIA so we can find a long-term solution that’s best for everyone involved,” he explained. “But instead, I’m forced to tell people that these accusations are not true and that it’s a shame that the flyers are now part of the problem in politics. “All I want to do is fight for the people in my district.” (Paid for by the Committee to Elect Jeff Stephens) Read the full article

I’m not sure there’s a word for that, so I guess we can just call it, “Being Marshall County”. 

A sectional couch just might be the most comfortable piece of furniture an individual can own. BUT. The sectional couch also is one of the most awkward pieces of furniture when it comes to helping a friend move from one home to another. BUT. If you’re a resident who lives within the borders of the 6th House District – an area that includes cities such as Benwood, McMechen, Glen Dale, and Moundsville – W.Va. Del. Jeff Stephens believes people help people … and yes, even with such ginormous furnishings. Stephens insists it’s a Marshall County thing, and it represents one of a plethora of reasons why he’s proud to be a native, an educator, and the House of Delegates ouse representative for a district that includes both urban and rural neighborhoods full of citizens fighting with their local lawmaker for an improved future.   That’s why the Delegate supported a number of bills that may not have made for splashy and flashy headlines during the state Legislature’s regular session but still will provide building blocks for a better economy while keeping an accountable eye on public education. “I love doing the job the voters elected me to do,” Stephens said. “And I’m asking them to send me back so I can continue that fight.” W.Va. Del. Jeff Stephens enjoys "making the sausage" - or developing laws - as a member of the state's House of Delegates. How would you describe the efforts made in the House of Delegates to concentrate on improving the state’s economy during the recent regular session? This was the major focus this year in the House of Delegates. We called it the “Jobs First Opportunity Everywhere” agenda. We passed the Recharge West Virginia Act, which will allow businesses to receive up to $50,000 to train their employees in advanced skills. In turn the employer would give these employees raises in their salaries based on the skills gained through the training. The “Skills to Work Act,” was also passed to allow students aged 16 and older to earn credits and certifications through classroom instruction and on the job training. There was also a 5 percent reduction in the state income tax that was passed, putting money back in people’s pockets.  Stephens started his re-election campaign as soon as he returned home from the regular session in Charleston. What steps would you like to take to protect West Virginia’s public schools students when it comes to technology in the classroom? First, we need to look at limiting screen time for students. There is a correlation between student scores, grades, and behaviors based on screen time on not only their personal devices, but school issued devices as well. We, in the Legislature, have already taken the step of getting students cell phones out of the classroom. We now need to look at ways we can limit the screen time that we are assigning them through schoolwork. This definitively needs to be limited, but it also has to be done in a responsible manner, where students are introduced to proper technology use. Next, is making sure we hold the software and textbook companies responsible for the content they are creating. We need to make sure that the material they are creating and providing is at a level the students can handle and understand. I introduced bills this past session that would have completed both tasks. The bills didn’t gain much traction, and I was told that this will be a topic of our discussions during our interim meetings this year before next session.   Jeff is a fan of performing constituents for the residents in District 6. What part of lawmaking is your favorite part? There are many parts of being in the House of Delegates that I enjoy. My favorite part about the lawmaking process is working with different people from all across West Virginia. It’s interesting to learn about the fields that they work in and the knowledge they have to give about any topic, whether it be medical care, law enforcement, military, education, small business, any and all type of industries are represented. But you not only get to know about their work, you also get to know about them as people, about their families where they grew up, that could be in West Virginia born and raised or moved here at some point and what brought them here. Another, which I guess gives me two favorite things, is working with constituents on bills. This could be their ideas becoming possible laws. Or just as important: reaching out to constituents about proposed bills and hearing their opinions on them and how it could help the people of Marshall County. This is more of being a Delegate in general, but helping constituents with personal matters is something that I’ve found to be one of my favorite things that I get to do overall in my position.    Stephens was sworn by House Speaker Roger Hanshaw in November 2023. What do you miss most when you are away from your home in Marshall County for the regular, 60-day session in Charleston? There are many things that I miss while I am in Charleston. My dog, of course, would be one of the top things on my list that I miss. She is in good hands, though, because my dad stays at my house with her while I’m gone. He gives her too many treats and spoils her, but that’s ok. Being away from my kids at school and my co-workers is tough as well. I did get to come back for the Snowball Dance, the kids were very excited to see me, making me realize why I teach. I left a scavenger hunt for my “puzzle club” teachers, which I think they enjoyed while I was away. And last but certainly not least is my friends and family. I try to meet up with them when I come home for the weekends, but sometimes it is difficult. I did get to go out to dinner with my sister one Saturday, it was very nice to catch up and have a relaxing dinner and good conversation.  Stephens is an educator at Sherrard Middle School and the appointed delegate representing the Sixth District. How do you describe District 6 and the people who live in it? District 6 and Marshall County is a place that is near and dear to my heart. I was born here, raised here, work here, have lived here my entire life, and never plan on leaving. Being a coach in Marshall County for two different sports over 30 sports seasons and teaching here for nearly 12 years, I would say that I have a good perspective of the place and the people. I would describe Marshall County as close to a Norman Rockwell painting as possible, warm and homey. We have great communities that give people a great safe place to live and raise a family. The people are helpful and very supportive to friends and strangers alike. The best way to describe it would be to ask someone in Marshall County to help you move a sectional couch, something that no one likes to do. Not only would they help you move it, but they would also ask if you needed to borrow their truck to haul it. I’m not sure there’s a word for that, so I guess we can just call it, “Being Marshall County”.  Read the full article

Ohio County, WV – A portion of County Route 35, McGraw’s Run Road, in Valley Grove, will be restricted to one lane, beginning on Thursday, March 19, 2026, through late April, for a slip repair. Temporary traffic lights will maintain traffic. Motorists are advised to slow down and expect slight delays. Inclement weather or unforeseen circumstances could change the project schedule. Read the full article

Ohio County, WV – A few projects have been scheduled by the W.Va. Division of Highways – District 6 – for the middle of September. The projects include: A portion of WV 2/US 250, in Wheeling, will have the northbound and southbound right lanes closed at milepost 1.93, from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, for bridge inspection. Motorists are advised to slow down and expect delays. ALSO, A portion of Interstate 70, eastbound and westbound, in Elm Grove, will have the right lane closed, at milepost 4.70, from 6:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, for bridge inspection. Motorists are advised to reduce speed and expect delays. PLUS, the Interstate 70 eastbound, right lane, and the Market Street on-ramp to Interstate 70, eastbound, will be closed from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 18, 2025, for bridge inspection. Motorists are advised to slow down and expect delays. Inclement weather or unforeseen circumstances could change the schedule for all three projects. Read the full article