Armentrout for WV

30/05/2026

25/05/2026

Taylor County Democrats Salute Our Veterans

20/05/2026

In communities across West Virginia, the topics of public school funding and data centers are receiving ample attention. And while often viewed as separate and unrelated, the issues are more intertwined than most might think. The multi-million dollar tax breaks that data centers and other economic d...

20/05/2026

West Virginians deserve leaders who work for the people — not for political insiders or government agencies that benefit them personally. Recent reporting has raised serious ethical questions about Senator Jay Taylor simultaneously working for the State Auditor’s Office while sponsoring legislation to expand that office’s power and influence. Even if something is technically legal, that does not automatically make it right.

Public office should never be used in a way that creates the appearance of conflicts of interest, divided loyalties, or self-dealing. The people of West Virginia deserve transparency, independence, and accountability from those elected to serve them. I believe elected officials should answer to taxpayers first — not political connections, special interests, or agencies tied to their personal employment. This campaign is about restoring trust in government and putting ordinary working people ahead of insider politics.

20/05/2026

https://www.dragline.org/stories/despite-ag-warning-senator-worked-for-auditors-office-while-sponsoring-legislation-to-expand-agencys-power?fbclid=IwY2xjawR6hJ9leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFrNzBNZ0Z2UVFCSEJHZTRMc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHt3dkySzSkS3VRRmJ838MI1rkCan7UmSAMg687iXxggBO4H3qTpkdzeCUVfL_aem_i03YXrNkwlX4IKKg8b-FTA

The state's top lawyer warned that it could violate the West Virginia Constitution for a state agency to hire a lawmaker. The Auditor hired him anyway.

19/05/2026

West Virginians deserve to know what House Bill 2014 really does. This bill was sold as “economic development” and a way to attract massive data centers to our state. But buried in the legislation is a dangerous shift that could hurt local communities across West Virginia.

HB 2014 redirects large portions of property tax revenue from high-impact data centers away from local counties and into state-controlled funds, including an income tax reduction fund. That means communities could end up hosting huge industrial developments while seeing less money for public schools, volunteer fire departments and EMS, roads and infrastructure, and local services taxpayers depend on every day

In plain English: local communities carry the burden while corporations and wealthy interests reap the rewards. Rural counties could face increased strain on infrastructure and emergency services without receiving the full local tax benefits they were promised. Meanwhile, Charleston gains more control over money that should be helping the people where these projects are actually built.

This is the same failed trickle-down politics West Virginians have seen for decades: public risk, private reward. West Virginia should invest in working families, public schools, infrastructure, and local communities — not give away leverage and tax revenue to billion-dollar corporations. The people of West Virginia deserve development that benefits THEM first.

19/05/2026

West Virginians deserve a government that answers to the people — not lobbyists buying influence behind closed doors. When massive data center projects are being pushed through without transparent public input, local communities are the ones left dealing with the consequences: higher infrastructure demands, concerns about water and energy use, environmental impacts, and decisions made without their voices being heard.

Economic development matters. Jobs matter. Growth matters. But it must be done the right way — openly, ethically, and with the people of West Virginia at the table from the very beginning. I believe in smart economic development that benefits our communities, protects taxpayers, respects local control, and ensures elected officials work for the public — not special interests. As your State Senator, I’ll fight for transparency, accountability, and a government that puts working families ahead of corporate insiders.