Putting West Virginia Families First
I’m Kat Weiland, and I’m running for the West Virginia House of Delegates, District 17 because West Virginia deserves leaders who are honest, prepared, and grounded in the realities families face every day.
I’m an educator by profession, and my work — especially with students who need extra support — has shaped how I see policy.
I believe government should work the way a good classroom does: clearly, fairly, and with accountability. We owe our kids strong public schools, respect for teachers, and policies that put students — not politics — first.
I care deeply about public education, ethical government, and supporting the people who serve our communities.
I believe in clear lines of responsibility between state and local government, fiscal responsibility without empty promises, and policies that actually do what they claim to do. I don’t believe in grandstanding — I believe in doing the homework, telling the truth, and earning trust.
West Virginia is my home.
I value faith, family, community, and service, and I believe our best days are ahead when we choose leadership rooted in compassion, competence, and common sense.
I’m running to represent people who want answers, integrity, and a future built on opportunity — not shortcuts.
CAMPAIGN PLATFORM
FULLY FUNDING OUR SCHOOLS
As a 16th-year teacher, I know what’s happening in our schools—and most legislators don’t. It has
become abundantly clear to me that not many people in our legislature have any clue what goes on
inside a school. They have no clue about the struggles we face on a daily basis due to large class sizes
and underfunding, to name a few. I am all for school choice—let me say that up front. I believe
everyone should be able to send their children wherever they want, whether that’s a public school,
charter school, private school, homeschool, or virtual school; that is your right as a parent or guardian.
However, I do not believe it should be funded off the backs of taxpayers without accountability.
I’ll fight to fund our schools, pay our teachers, and keep politics out of classrooms.
ROADS THAT DON’T DESTROY YOUR CARS
I commuted Route 62 to Point Pleasant High School every day last year.
I know what bad roads do to your vehicle—and your wallet. But I have another reason
for caring about roads: In 1967, my uncle Johnny and four other teenage boys were on
their way home from Boy Scout camping weekend from Camp Kootaga near Parkersburg.
They were killed in a car accident when their driver swerved to avoid a massive pothole
and overcorrected into oncoming traffic. People who witnessed the crash said that as
the car was pulling onto the highway, the driver had to swing wide to avoid a large crater
of a pothole in the road. All five boys died on impact.
Infrastructure isn’t abstract. It’s life and death.
The roads may not seem like a big deal to some, but they are ours—
we pay for them, and everyone uses them.
A LIVING WAGE
West Virginia’s minimum wage is $8.75/hour. The tipped minimum wage is still $2.62/hour. I think it was
$2.12 when I worked at Bob Evans in 2010; it’s wild it’s still so low. I don’t care if people are tipped or
not—$2.62 is not a livable wage. Workers cross state lines to Ohio ($10.70), Virginia ($12.41), or
Maryland ($15.00) for thousands more per year. The cost of living may be lower in West Virginia,
but everyone deserves a livable wage.
CHILDCARE THAT FAMILIES CAN AFFORD
Childcare is ridiculously priced and often eats up a huge portion of people’s paychecks, especially
those making hourly wages. Then some complain that “people don’t want to work!” Well, if you used
most, if not all, of your paycheck to pay for childcare, why would you? I’m fighting for expanded
childcare assistance, direct subsidies to childcare centers, and Universal Pre-K for three-year-olds.
States like New Mexico are doing this successfully—West Virginia can too. In New Mexico, the Child
Care Assistance Program provides financial support for child care to families earning up to 400% of
the federal poverty level who are employed, enrolled in school, or actively seeking employment. On
November 1st, ALL families, regardless of income, will offer FREE Universal Child Care.
HEALTHCARE ACCESS
I watched my father die because we couldn’t get the care he needed. I know rural healthcare is in crisis
—hospitals closing, doctors leaving, families driving hours for basic care. This isn’t a talking point for
me. It’s personal. We’re losing our hospitals and doctors. That’s a crisis, and I’ll fight to fix it.
JOBS AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES
I want West Virginia’s “country roads” to bring people home—not just for visits, but for good.
I’m proposing a “Welcome Back” tax credit for returning residents, small business tax credits,
student loan repayment bonuses, and retiree return incentives. I don’t want to be the exception
to the rule that I moved back to be closer to family; I want people to move back because
they’ve realized West Virginia is a great state with a lot to offer.
While many of our current delegates sponsor bills about social issues,
I want to focus on your paycheck.
PROTECTING OUR 2ND AMENDMENT RIGHTS
I strongly believe in protecting our Second Amendment rights and the traditions that come with them.
Law-abiding citizens should always have the freedom to hunt, protect their families, and pass these
values down to the next generation. I’ll always stand up for responsible gun ownership and the
constitutional freedoms that make West Virginia home.
