The Republican Party of West Virginia believes that governments exist to serve and protect the interests of the individual, without compromising the rights of life, liberty, property, and the pursuit of happiness. We believe that smaller, more accountable and fiscally responsible state and local governments will better serve the citizens of West Virginia. We believe that Government should not grow beyond the growth in population and the rate of inflation, and that budget surpluses should be returned to the taxpayers who have paid them with a simplified and modernized tax system fair to all. Further, we support returning local control to all levels of government when constitutional.