Kizer to run for (WV) governor

The Sunday Gazette Mail ^ | Sunday January 5, 2003 | Paul J. Nyden - STAFF WRITER

[Xthe17th]

Beckley coal consultant H. Paul Kizer filed preliminary campaign papers on Friday to run for governor in 2004 as a Republican.

Filing preliminary papers with the secretary of state allows a candidate to begin accepting campaign contributions.

Kizer, who once operated 44 coal companies that ended up in bankruptcy beginning in 1993, believes West Virginia taxes coal too heavily.

"Let’s add a severance tax on timber and natural gas producers," Kizer said Friday. "An out-of-state firm is going into Clay County to build a 20-inch pipeline to send gas to a Duke Power facility in North Carolina that will replace two coal-fired plants. Let’s add a 10 percent severance tax on that gas.

"Lobbyists for timber and natural gas have worked behind the closed doors for years, while state government jumped on coal, imposing severance taxes and high Workers’ Compensation rates.

"With our 5 percent severance tax, a $30 ton of coal is taxed $1.50. That same ton of coal would be taxed 33 cents in Alabama," Kizer said.

Kizer wants to impose a sales tax on all lawyers’ fees. He said lawyers and Democrats are the two worst threats to economic development.

"Democrats and lawyers need to say publicly, ‘We made a mistake. We broke this state.’"

Kizer also has dramatic plans for state government. "I want to cut the state payroll by 100,000 people. If I win in two years, they better be looking for jobs. I am not going to promise anybody anything." Kizer also wants to cut the number of vacation days for public employees.

"In my administration, there will be no lawyers, only business people and working people."

Kizer also wants West Virginia to enact right-to-work legislation, as most Southern states have, that allows employees in union shops to choose not to join the union and pay dues. (At those businesses, however, union leaders must still represent nonunion employees in grievances.)

"We have to get on an even playing field with other states. We are held down, disadvantaged."

Kizer praised David Satterfield, the economic development director for Gov. Bob Wise.

"He did a wonderful job raising $8 million for Weirton Steel, $5 million for Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel and $10 million for Homer Laughlin China Co. He should accept his $25,000 bonus and immediately donate it to the Fayette County Board of Education who can really use it."

Kizer also said he thinks fast-food restaurants may pose a greater health risk to West Virginians than cigarettes. All they sell is fat and cholesterol. Obesity is a major problem in West Virginia.

"I want to help the mom-and-pop businesses in the state," Kizer added. "To help pay for this, I am going to propose a tax on fat and cholesterol. The higher the fat, the higher the tax."

Gary Abernathy, a spokesman for the Republican State Executive Committee, said Friday, "We heard rumors about that [Kizer’s candidacy] a while back. We welcome all Republicans interested to get involved in the primary process. That is healthy for the primary process."

"We look forward to backing whoever comes out of the primary as a winner, supporting them 100 percent.

"But our focus will remain on the state Legislature, on picking up more seats in the Senate and the House. That’s who is driving the train. I am not sure anyone is paying much attention to the governor," Abernathy said.

Kizer said he has held a wide variety of jobs in the past, working as a bricklayer, welder, plumber, electrician, waiter and even a male stripper while a student at the University of Tennessee.

Kizer played football at both Tennessee and Marshall University, where he was named West Virginia Lineman of the Year in 1960.

Kizer graduated from Marshall in 1966. "I worked the hoot-owl shift at a bumper factory when I was at Marshall. I had two kids and I made the dean’s list," Kizer said.

Kizer played a central role in the April 1990 indictment of former Gov. Arch Moore, who pleaded guilty to five federal felonies, including extortion, income tax evasion, mail fraud and obstruction of justice.

Last month, Kizer said Moore should get his law license back. "He has suffered enough. He was an excellent governor and has my support in his future endeavors."

In 1990, Kizer told federal prosecutors and newspaper reporters he was a victim of various Moore administration schemes.

Kizer’s payments included: $573,721 to Moore for a $2.2 million black lung refund in 1985; $211,542 to John Leaberry (Moore’s Workers’ Compensation commissioner) for a $2.1 million black lung refund in 1988; and $150,000 for state super tax credits for his mines in 1989.

To contact staff writer Paul J. Nyden, use e-mail or call 348-5164.

[Xthe17th]

Well, he should at least have the female vote locked-up:

Kizer said he has held a wide variety of jobs in the past, working as a bricklayer, welder, plumber, electrician, waiter and even a male stripper...

[Xthe17th]

WV right-to-work PINGS )))))))

...and I hope Jay Wolfe decides to run against Mollohan!

[Xthe17th]

FYI and welcome to FR, fellow WV FReepers!

[EternalVigilance]

IF this is the guy that the state party has been so secretive about since November, I must say that I'm certainly not impressed after reading this article. I hope it isn't.

A former male stripper that wants to raise taxes? Sheesh.

The Dems would make mincemeat out of him.

I second that nomination of Jay Wolfe, though.

[Xthe17th]

...once operated 44 coal companies that ended up in bankruptcy beginning in 1993

Oh yeah, this guy will be wonderful for us.'<'/sarcasm'>' Think Jay should run against him? Between the two of them they could really generate some talk on the right-to-work issue.

[EternalVigilance]

Think Jay should run against him?

Yeah, I do.

Gotta run...I have a 3 hour drive to make. It will be interesting to see what kind of comment you get...I'll check in tonight.

EV

[wildandcrazyrussian]

Back in 2000 when the state party had their quadrennial in-state Convention that people had to go through various public meetings etc. to get selected to go to, the only item (other than hearing the candidates speak) that was worthwhile was to discuss and vote on the WV State GOP party platform. There was reasonable consensus among the mostly conservative delegates (including me) on all the good issues like right-to-life, taxation, education, etc. -- but the major controversy erupted about the right-to-WORK issue mentioned here. Quite a few elected delegates got up in front and begged us to REMOVE the RTW as an issue. In other words, even though most all of us are in favor of RTW (as is the national GOP) they told us it would be fatal to their chances to get re-elected to the State House after a union-financed propaganda campaign. So it was dropped and the GOP took no stand on it. I assume that if this candidate so much as mentions it as an issue, the state GOP will do everythign possible to defeat him in the primary and/or undermine him in the general. That's politics in WV.

[mountaineer]

I'll take Jay as Mollohan's replacement, and Rob Capehart as Wise's.

[voodoo economics worked]

Rob Capehart and his new tax structure will prevail in 04.Kizer lost me on blaming fast food for obesity.Ronald McDonald does not drive people to Mickey D's,we do.

[mountaineer]

Welcome to FR!

[mountaineer]

Thanks for that insight. Character most certainly is an issue.

I admit to knowing nothing of this fellow, while I do know Capehart and Wolfe quite well (and spent time with them just a few days ago at our Lincoln Day dinner).

[mountaineer]

IF this is the guy that the state party has been so secretive about since November...

The state party has its failings, as we know, but I'd really be surprised if it was supporting this guy!

[folklore]

Robin spoke at our Harrison Co. Republican Club meeting last night. He was well recieved. He and Jay Wolfe both praised your LDD.

On a side note, three dems came to the meeting. In the middle of the meeting all three asked to speak. They all handed in change of regisration cards and paid their dues!!!!

[aprile_showers]

Yes Paul should have the female vote locked up if you know nothing about his two abandoned kids living less than twenty minutes away who havent even seen his face in god knows how long. i have to admit that i am an ex in-law. But one with some insight. I am the sister of Paul's ex wife and I'm glad to finally have the opportunity to speak out. I love how everything he mentions in the article happens to be what the people want to hear. Isn't that what all the candidated do. Perhaps we should shed some insight on the real Paul Kizer. Not the one he made up to run for governor. The one that drinks heavily everyday and drives to and from "work meetings" at the char. I doubt he'll be one to want to raise the DUI laws in our state. And the man who hasnt paid a penny to his kids in oh i think 21 months now. And before that it was not the amount courts ordered and was only on the occasion of threatening phone calls from the ex. Now those dont even work. Perhaps we should vote for paul. Maybe the kids can then really get some state help when they garnish the governors wages for back child support. That'll be the day I hope for. Think about the person that he really is. Not who he wants to be. Because he makes promises he cant keep. Look at his two sons.

[EternalVigilance]

That's a relief. All they were saying last fall is they had a coal guy waiting in the wings to run against Wise. I think you are probably correct that this isn't him.

[mountaineer]

Excellent news! Yes, our dinner went very well, Jay and Rob gave great talks (as did Vic Sprouse and Kris Warner). We were very, very pleased.

[folklore]

Rockyfella said something on the radio awhile ago that floored me. Byrd came to the white house late. When byrd said that W would get all the money he needed for the war, he said it to the VP. W had already left the meeting!

I wonder if he wore a hood. He is petty,petty,petty.

[mountaineer]

With all due respect, it's a bit peculiar that you two joined FR just today and each of you has made only one post at this site - the ones on this thread. I hope you'll understand if we don't take your allegations at face value, at least until corroboration is available. You may be telling the truth, I don't know, but if not, your comments come dangerously near libel and you should be careful.

[Xthe17th]

Welcome to FR April. Thanks for the heads-up on Mr. Kizer. Are you still a WV resident? If so, please add the WV state flag to your FReeper homepage. Again, welcome!