U.S. House candidate, majority leader to host discussion on economy today in Martinsburg

September 22, 2008

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. - Anne Barth, the Democratic nominee for the Second Congressional District, will host a roundtable discussion on the economy and infrastructure with U.S. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., this morning at the Shenandoah Hotel in Martinsburg.

Elected officials, Democrats and Republicans, have been invited to participate in the event and discuss infrastructure needs facing the Eastern Panhandle.

"It is an honor to have the House majority leader in West Virginia, and I look forward to a discussion with officials about the needs we have in our communities and what we can all do to work together to improve our economy and infrastructure and meet those needs," said Barth, who worked on infrastructure projects with local municipalities for 21 years as Sen. Robert C. Byrd's state director. "I value the input from our area leaders and look forward to hearing from them."

The roundtable discussion will begin at 9 a.m. at the Shenandoah Hotel at 100 W. Martin St.

Currently, the United States is spending $12 billion a month in Iraq, some of which goes toward rebuilding Iraqi roads, bridges, and schools, at the same time Iraq is running a budget surplus.

"I believe that we need to invest our taxpayer dollars in rebuilding American roads, bridges and schools," Barth said. "Nearly one-third of West Virginia's bridges are structurally deficient or functionally obsolete, and we need to refocus our attention to our needs here at home."

Barth is challenging Republican incumbent Shelley Moore Capito in the Nov. 4 general election.

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