RALEIGH COUNTY, WV (WOAY)—On Wednesday, Feb. 12, West Virginia lawmakers will kick off the 2025 Legislative session, ready to prioritize some of the state’s most pervasive issues.
There is much to dive into, from public education to teacher salaries to affordable housing.
District 44 House of Delegates Carl “Bill” Roop shares his journey as a freshman lawmaker.
“It’s time to give back to my community. Whether the issue is education or economic development I have to look at how it will affect us and how we can promote not only Southern West Virginia, Raleigh County, but the city of Beckley,” said the delegate.
According to Roop, we have to improve and stabilize West Virginia education. In grade school, middle school, and high school the delegate remembers all his teachers and the effect they had on his life. He says that’s what we need.
“We need to increase our pay; to take care of PIA,” Roop said. “And not only do we need to keep the teachers we have, we need incentives to bring other teachers to this area because our kids are the future of tomorrow.”
The delegate says he can offer his everyday expertise as an attorney to other legislators.
“Who haven’t had those opportunities, either they’re not lawyers or have not seen the practical effect of some of our bills and laws.”
He’s going to hit the ground running at the new legislative session, with the first 10 days ‘abuse and neglect’ one of the things they will address in judiciary and sub-committees. Roop says we have to protect and help Mountain State kids.
“I’m a big proponent of having facilities in the state instead of having to send kids to Alabama, Florida, and other states,” the delegate said we need something here. “We need to take care of our own, and I don’t think we’re doing that right yet.”
Appointed by then-governor Jim Justice, changing lives is in Roop’s blood and he’s ready.
“My father was in the House of Delegates for many years, so I kind of grew up at the capitol,” he said, adding that there was a big difference between watching his dad push the buttons to pushing the buttons and making the decisions himself. “But it’s an exciting time for me and especially Raleigh County.”
