Ed Larry (District 47)

Please provide some basic information about yourself.

Name Ed Larry

Office Sought WV House of Delegates, District 47

City/Town Philippi

From 1980 to 2016 the West Virginia state prison population has increased by 470%. What, if anything, would you change to reverse this trend?

I would have to review the data for this increase and determine major causes for the increase. Exploring alternative sentencing options could be one way to reverse this increase.

Civil asset forfeiture is a process where police can seize any property "related" to criminal activity and later can file a civil case to forfeit the property to either be used or auctioned for money which is shared between the police department and local prosecutor. This can happen regardless of whether there is a criminal conviction or even criminal charges brought against a person.Proponents say this is a useful tool for taking ill-gotten gains from criminals and funding police work, and that legal protections adequately prevent abuse of the system.Critics say the system amounts to theft, that many people cannot afford the legal costs to challenge a forfeiture action, and that it creates a perverse incentive for police.Do you support or oppose the practice of civil asset forfeiture? What, if any, reforms would you make to the practice?

I oppose civil asset forfeiture. If a person is found guilty of the alleged crime, court determined procedures should allow for the seizure of items directly related to the crime.

More than half the population of West Virginia's regional jails are pre-trial. That means they haven't been found guilty of any crime yet. Most are there because they could not afford bail, though some are there because they were denied a chance to post bail. What changes, if any would you make to our pretrial and/or bail system to balance concerns about safety and court efficiency with ensuring we are not incarcerating people without due process?

Reasonable bail should be set for all alleged crimes.

In 2015 West Virginia passed significant reforms to the juvenile justice system. Despite these reforms, the State still utilizes out of home placement at a high rate for system-involved youth. What, if anything, should West Virginia do to reduce out-of-home placements for system-involved juveniles?

I have no solution at this time for this problem. I will need to do much study on this topic.

West Virginia has a very low voter participation rate. What changes, if any, would you make to increase voter participation?

To stress the importance of voting, I suggest a mailing campaign to remind voters of upcoming elections and the importance of their voting. In addition, use today's social media for this purpose. We also need to stress the importance of voting to all our students throughout their school years and encourage their future voting by engaging students in elections that occur during the school year.

Over the past few years, there has been legislation aimed at requiring the Bible to be taught in public schools, allowing a Bible-based elective, or faith-based drug prevention electives. What is your stance on incorporating religion into the public schools?

I oppose incorporating religion into the pubic schools. America has a separation of church and state. Faith and religion should be taught in the home.

At least 20 states have passed laws prohibiting discrimination in housing, employment, and public accommodations on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. 13 West Virginia municipalities have similar protections. Do you support or oppose a statewide law prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity in West Virginia? Why?

I support such a law because I believe, as human beings, we are all equal. People are people.

In December 2019, Governor Justice announced that West Virginia would continue accepting refugees. Do you support or oppose accepting refugees in West Virginia? Under what conditions? Why?

I support accepting refugees in West Virginia. We are a country of immigrants. There is nothing wrong with people coming to WV to live and work.

Q10

Over the past few years, some states have continued to erode protections and access to abortion care. Other states have done the opposite and codified abortion rights that had previously been defined by courts. Do you favor further restrictions to abortion, expanding or codifying abortion rights, or taking no action on abortion?

I believe a woman has a right to choose. The Legislature has no right to legislate such actions concerning women.