CHARLESTON, W.Va. –In a little over two weeks, voters across the United States and in West Virginia will head to the polls to cast their votes for candidates they feel will best represent their values and interests in our nation’s capitol, state capitols, county seats and city halls.  This bi-annual event determines the direction we take for the next two years, and this year the choices we make could not be more important.

The West Virginia Chamber of Commerce, the organization for which I have the privilege to serve as President, devotes itself to a better quality of life for all West Virginians.  By advocating for economic development, job creation, better education for our children, a fair and balanced regulatory environment and a judicial system where everyone is treated in a consistent and fair manner, the West Virginia Chamber seeks a better tomorrow for all.  The ability to enact these values, however, lies with the West Virginia Legislature, and the choices voters make this coming election will decide if we as a state move forward or preserve the status quo.

Over the past several sessions of the Legislature, dating back to 2001, the West Virginia Chamber has been tracking individual legislators and has developed a scorecard that rates legislators based on their support for or opposition to bills that will have a direct impact on West Virginia’s ability to foster job creation, economic development and improved education outcomes.  The results of this effort were eye opening and it tells the story as to why we have been unable to achieve our full potential as a state.

Many members of the West Virginia House of Delegates and State Senate go home and campaign on the same values espoused by the Chamber.  The problem is that all too often, their record does not reflect how they vote in Charleston.  To view the scorecard compiled by the Chamber, please visit www.wvchamber.com.

Scorecards such as the one developed by the Chamber provide readily-accessible information on how our elected officials vote on issues that will affect our lives.  Before heading to the polls, I encourage voters to take the time to study the issues and research candidates.  The results on November 4^th will have a direct impact on the future of West Virginia and will determine the type of state in which our children and grandchildren grow up.

 Roberts is president of the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce.