Today, a coalition of statewide organizations came together to take action on the looming fears of a state government shutdown. The politics no longer matter. The real issue of jobs and services to our citizens has hit a boiling point.
“When we consider the extent to which citizens depend on our state government services we begin to understand the catastrophe that could unfold should a shutdown occur,” stated Ted Boettner, WVCBP Executive Director.
Legislators passed a budget bill last Friday after three weeks of debate during a Special Session. Their version drew too heavily from the state’s Rainy Day Fund for Governor Earl Ray Tomblin who vetoed the budget this week. The state’s fiscal year ends June 30 and without a budget, the government faces a likely shutdown of essential services and agencies upon which we all depend.
Here’s what you can do:
1. Share this Action Alert. Paste this link into your own e-mail blasts and Facebook posts. Be sure to add your name as well!
2. Make a personal video. Here’s a sample from Stephen Smith with West Virginia Healthy Kids and Families Coalition. Tell your story about how the shutdown would affect you!
3. Facebook memes. Post the one below, and include the action alert link, or make your own.
4. Blast to twitter! Here are some sample tweets.
This is not a game. #dontshutdownmystate
It’s time to govern. #dontshutdownmystate
Kathleen (Kat) Stoll has joined our team to work on an analysis of potential new sources of state funding to support Medicaid. The project is funded by the Benedum Foundation and the Sisters Health Foundation.
Kat is a West Virginia resident and former Deputy Director of Families USA, a national health care consumer advocacy voice based in D.C. She has a masters degree in economics and has been an attorney specializing in health care policy for over 30 years. Her analysis will provide a menu of options that the Medicaid Coalition can discuss and consider supporting.
She will support and lead our work with West Virginians for Affordable Health Care as we move forward on this important project. When she’s not doing work from her home office in Morgan County, Kathleen raises horses and hay, and plays with her nephew Liam.
This week Sabrina Schrader, Vice President of the Our Children Our Future campaign, testified before a committee in Washington, DC reminding them of the deep generational poverty in West Virginia. She went there to support funding for roads and high-speed Internet as laid out in Senator Sanders Rebuild America Act. Great job, Sabrina! Watch her presentation.
The first-ever Summer Policy Institute (SPI) is right around the corner, taking place at WV Wesleyan College from July 29-31.
The SPI will bring together highly qualified undergraduate and graduate students for a three-day learning experience, where participants are given an opportunity to become better informed about vital West Virginia specific policy issues, network with fellow students and leaders, and prepare for their future studies and work in policy-related fields.
We need your help! To ensure that all students can attend, it is imperative that we have sponsorships from organizations and individuals.
For a limited time, if you sponsor at a level of $100 or more you will receive our inaugural t-shirt.
Please go here to donate or email Linda.
Thank you for your support!
