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WHEELING -- West Virginia's Democratic lawmakers are coming to Wheeling this week to hear what the public has to say.
The Democratic Executive Committees of the Northern Panhandle are joining together to host the "West Virginia Kitchen Table Listening Tour" at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Ironworkers Hall, 2350 Main St., Wheeling.
There are presently just 11 Democrats serving in the West Virginia Legislature -- nine in the House of Delegates, and two in the State Senate.
Delegate Shawn Fluharty, D-Ohio, serves as minority whip in the House of Delegates.
He said similar events organized by Democrats happening throughout the state over the past month have "received a good reception."
"It's a breath of fresh air to see lawmakers going directly to the public," he said. "We are listening to them, hearing their concerns, and having a discussion that is proper. People are not just sitting online behind a keyboard airing their grievances. We need to get back to actual discussions with people and actual interactions with our neighbors. Turns out when you do that you have a lot in common."
Fluharty reported he attended one session in Martinsburg that attracted a capacity crowd, and that there was lively discussion for two hours.
"It is just something that needs to happen," he continued. "We need to get back to having discussions and not treating our neighbors like they are the enemy - when in reality we share a lot of the same views. We care about the same things in our daily lives and we want a community that can thrive."
Jenny Craig, secretary of the West Virginia Democratic Party and a member of the Ohio County Executive Committee thanked the Democratic legislators "for doing the work in meeting with people all across the state, for taking the time to listen to their constituents, and for working to find common ground to solve the problems we face to make our lives better."
"Their willingness to listen and come up with solutions is the only way we will win back the trust of West Virginians and work together to make changes," she said. "People are facing extreme financial hardships due to low wages, rising healthcare, inaccessible childcare, high food costs, and a lack of affordable housing.
"As a teacher, I'm deeply concerned about the loss of education funding for our public schools due to the Hope Voucher Program and its impact on our community. I'm eager to hear about the solutions legislators propose to address the funding shortfall, as well as their plans for PEIA (Public Employees Insurance Agency)," Craig added.