WEIRTON - Delegate Ronnie Jones, D-Hancock, will seek re-election to a second, two-year term as a member of the West Virginia House of Delegates.
Jones represents residents of the 1st District, which includes Hancock County and a portion of Brooke County.
Jones said the legislation he worked for that could have the most impact on the Northern Panhandle is the recently passed Horizontal Well Act, relating to Marcellus Shale drilling. The legislation creates a framework of rules that will allow the natural gas industry to continue to invest in West Virginia. It also requires operators to provide additional notice to surface owners prior to drilling.
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RONNIE JONES, D-HANCOCK
"Since the downturn in the steel industry, our area truly has struggled," Jones said. "Development of the Marcellus Shale could create the kind of jobs that will allow families to thrive and build better futures."
Jones supported legislation that will lower the food tax from 3 percent to 2 percent. The reduction went into effect Jan. 1. He also worked for legislation that will increase the adoption tax credit from $2,000 to $4,000.
"My focus in the state Legislature is to make our economy better," Jones said. "I want to make sure our citizens can stay in the area and make a decent living."
Jones also supported several important pieces of legislation dealing with crime, including Celena's Law, which makes it a crime to hold someone captive through coercion or threats of physical harm. In addition, violent offenders now will not be eligible for parole each year, but only once every three years.
Jones can be reached at 304-914-1868 or during the legislative session now through March 10 and 304-340-3120.
Jones, a life-long resident of Weirton, is retired from the Weirton Area Water Board with 40 years of service. He has a son, Jonathon, who resides in the Washington, D.C., area and two grandsons, Jayson and Spencer.
