In mid-March, at the same time that schools and businesses across the state were being closed due to COVID-19, households also began receiving invitations in the mail to complete the 2020 Census. As one could imagine, the timing was not ideal. For families scrambling to find child care solutions, put food on the table, and…
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Over the past several weeks, Congress has passed three major bills in response to the coronavirus crisis: the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act which provided $8.3 billion in emergency funding for federal agencies to respond to the coronavirus outbreak, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act which provided for paid sick leave, insurance coverage…
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, nearly 186,000 workers in West Virginia were employed in six broad industries that are now considered the frontlines of the response. Nurses, janitors, grocery clerks, child care staff, bus and truck drivers, these are the essential workers in our state and our economy, and the current crisis has done little to…
At the WVCBP, we are tracking policy changes and flexibilities that impact the ability of West Virginians to utilize the safety net during the COVID-19 crisis. This post highlights changes to Medicaid, SNAP (food stamps) and TANF, as well as additional flexibilities in state and federal law that West Virginia should utilize to improve access…
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, signed into law last week, included many important provisions to help mitigate the sharp economic decline that millions are struggling with. But while the bill expanded unemployment insurance and provided financial assistance to families, individuals, state and local governments, and businesses, there is more that will…
According to reports, the Senate agreed to a compromise coronavirus relief bill last night that improves on flaws in its initial bill, which would have left out thousands of low-income West Virginians. The compromise bill provides up to $1,200 in payments or rebates for individuals with income up to $75,000 a year and $500 per…
Crises like the coronavirus outbreak create a double challenge for state governments. Demand for vital public services escalate just as the revenues to support those services take a major downturn. West Virginia is already in a tight budget situation, with resources stretched thin. Before the effects of the crisis were really felt, the state revenues…
The daily lives of West Virginians have already been impacted by the coronavirus outbreak, with schools closing this week and the announcement this week from the governor that bars, restaurants, and casinos will also be closed. The federal government is recommending to avoid groups of more than 10 people, and to practice "social distancing." All…
West Virginia faces unique challenges in the face of the COVID 19 crisis, namely an at-risk population for serious illness and complications. This is due to the state’s aging population and large percentage of residents with chronic health conditions. A Kaiser Family Foundation analysis put West Virginia at the highest percentage in the nation of…
Governor Justice signed the FY 2021 budget last week, after the budget was completed before the end of the session. While there was some back and forth between the House and Senate versions of the budget, the final budget saw only small changes from the Governor's proposal. As noted before, several tax bills passed the legislature…