Rusty Williams (District 35)

Please provide some basic information about yourself.

Name Rusty Williams

Office Sought House of Delegates, District 35

City/Town Saint Albans

Email Address rustywilliamswv@gmail.com

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 will work to immediately end the prohibition of cannabis as well as the practice of incarcerating folks for non-violent drug offenses. We are in the midst of one of the countries worst addiction epidemics and I think it's more than safe to say that the way we've been approaching the problem isn't working. In fact, I think the way we're currently handling things is only making things worse. If we start treating addiction as a public health issue rather than a criminal issue and end the practice of throwing non-violent offenders in cages, I believe we can effectively solve this problem.

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 the practice of civil asset forfeiture. In fact, every single cannabis reform bill I've participated in drafting has addressed civil asset forfeiture by including language that would award victims triple damages for any property or funds seized.

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?

If a person hasn't been found guilty of a crime, they should not be sitting in jail nor should any American be incarcerated without due process. The cash bail system disproportionately punishes the poor while allowing folks with means to buy their way out of jail. I believe it's long past time we end the practice of cash bail.

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?

First and foremost, we've got to stop punishing kids like they're adults when they mess up. While I'll admit I've never worked on this issue directly, I feel like a good place to start would be to make sure every teacher in the public school system is properly trained in trauma identification as well as conflict resolution so that should a situation with a student arise, they have the knowledge and the tools necessary to deal with the problem without the involvement of law enforcement. I'm open to learning more about how I can be effective in the permanent dismantling of the school-to-prison pipeline that often starts when a child is removed from the home.

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

I think election day should be a state holiday for both the primary and general elections.

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 do not support the implementation of Bible-based electives or faith-based drug prevention electives in the public school system. We must do everything possible to make sure that the line separating church and state isn't blurred in any way.

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?

If elected, I plan to sign the Fairness Act sponsor sheet and advocate for its passage on day one. No one should ever have to fear losing their housing, their job, or be denied any public accommodations whatsoever because of who they love or how they identify.

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. Once they've gone through the federal governments vetting process, there should be no further conditions or hoops to jump through for folks fleeing horrible conditions to seek refuge here in the hills of West Virginia. I believe diversity makes us a stronger, more compassionate society and to me, "All Kinds Are Welcome Here" isn't just a catchy slogan, it's something I believe wholeheartedly.

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 that abortion is healthcare and healthcare is a human right. If elected to the WV House of Delegates, I will never support any legislation that would hinder a persons right to make the healthcare decisions they feel are best for them nor will I support any legislation designed to further stigmatize language surrounding reproductive healthcare services. I wholeheartedly support expanding and codifying abortion rights.