2024 HOD Candidate Questionnaire Response
Name Bill Reger-Nash
Office Sought House of Delegates District 82
Party Affiliation Democrat
City/Town Morgantown
Campaign Website BillRegerNashforHouse.com
On June 24, 2022, the US Supreme Court overturned Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, effectively overturning Roe v. Wade. As a result, the WV legislature enacted a near total ban on abortion less than three months later. With no access to or Constitutional protections for abortion, what do you think abortion policy should look like in West Virginia?
Women have a right to reproductive choice. Also, WV should be focused on planned parenthood, women's health and wellness. Roughly, women spend 48% of their years of fertility attempting to not become pregnant. First and foremost, women and men need good solid family planning information and access to effective contraception.
Several West Virginia municipalities have passed ordinances that expand the definition of racial discrimination to include discriminating against traditional or natural hair textures and styles. Would you support expanding this protection statewide? Why or why not?
It is absurd to discriminate against traditional or natural hair textures and styles. We must be respectful of cultural differences.
Many states have created laws that seek to limit the teaching of "divisive concepts" or "critical race theory". West Virginia narrowly missed passing a similar law during the 2022 Legislative Session. What is the value or harm in teaching these topics and what role should the legislature play in determining this curriculum?
Truth will set us free. All people have a right to know history. It is not divisive to know about and understand history. Educational curriculum issues should be the prerogative of our professional teachers with real classroom experience and not just educational administrators who sit behind desks, nor to our part-time citizen legislature that have no expertise in education.
Currently there is no statewide law protecting people in matters of employment, housing, and public accommodations based on their sexuality or gender identity. Proponents claim these protections are necessary for ongoing discrimination by the LGBTQ community. Opponents claim that such protections infringe upon religious beliefs. What do you believe and would you support or oppose a statewide law?
I favor a statewide law that protects all people. People are people. Protections are necessary to protect against discrimination against the LGBTQ community. Many landlords and employers may not appreciate their own latent racism and biases. Clearly defined laws can provide some protection against arbitrary, capricious, and discriminating behaviors.
During the 2024 legislative session, the Senate passed legislation mandating, “In God We Trust” be posted in all West Virginia schools and permitting teachers to discuss ‘creationism’ and ‘intelligent design creationism’ as part of public-school science curricula. What role do you think religion should play in the public school system, and why?
As a former teacher in catholic schools and a former Roman Catholic monk, I am totally in opposition to bringing specific religions into the educational curriculum of the public schools. So called ‘Creationism’ and ‘intelligent design creationism’ have no basis in science. Whatever one wants to believe in one's own religion is their choice. These concepts do not belong in the public schools not should public monies be used to teach this in other educational institutions.
In 2023, West Virginia lawmakers passed HB2007, severely restricting access to gender affirming healthcare services for West Virginians under the age of 18. Proponents of the legislation claimed it was about keeping kids safe, and opponents argued in favor of parental rights and medical freedom. What role, if any, do you believe government should play regarding medical decisions relating to gender affirming healthcare services, and why?
Nothing is more important than keeping our young people safe. I support gender affirming healthcare services for WVians under the age of 18. However, I am concerned about surgical interventions for this age group. I stand to learn more about the topic.
Though abolished in 1965, lawmakers have introduced multiple bills designed to reinstate the death penalty. What are your thoughts on capital punishment in general, and would you support or oppose the effort to reinstate the death penalty in West Virginia?
I am totally in opposition to the death penalty in WV.
There is increasing tension with communities of people who are unhoused or face housing insecurity. Police breakups of encampments are common, and municipalities have shown growing opposition to low-barrier housing and recovery housing. How would you address community concerns while protecting the rights of unhoused people?
This is a very complex issue. I support the human rights of the unhoused. I am willing to be part of the groups working to resolve the issues. Fifty seven percent of the US families have less than a $1,000 to address an emergency. A broken transmission means a loss of a job, loss of housing, and becoming an unhoused statistic. "There but for the grade of God go I." For those of us with resources, it is difficult to identify with the struggles with this segment of that 57% of the population who are live precariously, even when they are working. Also, we cannot just warehouse people without in addition providing employment, mental health counseling, and adequate social service support as they attempt to transition to a stable life.
Recovery housing has been shown to be a very effective tool which enables safe and effective transition for folks who have struggled with addiction. All too often, community members believe that such housing represents a threat to a community. The evidence is to the contrary. Morgantown, for example, has several well functioning and orderly recovery housing facilities.
Police violence has been in the forefront of national headlines for several years. Some propose more civilian oversight of law enforcement through civilian review boards that could review incidents and policies. Others view these boards as "anti-police" and point out that civilians are ill-equipped to understand the nature of police work. Do you support the use of civilian review boards? What other steps, if any, should the state take to provide transparency and accountability for police?
Policing is a very difficult profession. I totally support law enforcement and other first responders. This is a campaign priority. These folks need to be paid well and to have the resources to do their jobs well. Civilian review boards exist to support law enforcement and make it possible for them to do their jobs successfully and have a good solid relationship with the communities they serve.
Jails in West Virginia are above capacity and are bankrupting some counties. Prisons are understaffed, making them dangerous for residents and staff alike. What steps, if any, should West Virginia take to address these issues?
Prisons can become toxic cesspools of they are not well organized, funded, trained, and provided with adequate resources. Prison guards need to be paid well and provided the resources to be successful. Currently, most of our current prison guards work hard under very poor conditions. Poorly equipped jails can make the lives of guards, administrators, and inmates adversary. We all do what our environment enables and reinforces! Almost everyone in jail will ultimately return to society. Our prisons are in need of reform so that inmates can learn f r om their mistakes and become contributing members of society after they complete their time. I do not see a simple solution, but I am willing to be part of the team to address these issues.
Mass incarceration is not the solution to our social ills. We should be looking at alternative approaches for non-violent offenders.
Currently, people coming out of incarceration on probation, parole, or supervised release for a felony conviction are unable to vote. When, if ever, do you think people should lose their right to vote? When, if ever, should that right be restored?
I do not know the nuances of these regulations. However, i am in favor of everyone having the right to vote. i can understand that there can be logistical challenges to enabling inmates to vote from jail. Ultimately, we need all people to be involved in all aspects of society once they have paid their social debt and are placed on probation, parole, or supervised release.
Across the country, there is controversy about what is obscene. Often these focus on sexual education, content that discusses sexual orientation or gender identity, profanity, and references to sex. This controversy has led to renewed attempts to censor or restrict access to controversial material. What do you think is the proper role of the government in restrict material like this and where do you draw the line at what is obscene?
We need to involve our librarians, counselors, social workers, and classroom teachers in the decisions about what is age appropriate content. It is not inappropriate for young people to have restricted access to content based on their level of social and moral development. But we should not have a whimsical group of puritanical lay citizens determining what is appropriate.