Blog

June 20, 2011 by Ted Boettner
Economic Recovery Takes Big Step Back

Despite a slight decrease in the unemployment rate to 8.6 percent, West Virginia lost approximately 5,000 jobs in May 2011, the largest one-month drop since July 2009. The strong growth seen in April 2011 has been negated, and West Virginia currently has 11,700 fewer jobs than at the beginning of the recession. The state has only gained 900 jobs in…

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June 17, 2011 by Sean O'Leary
Recession and Recovery: Employment Changes in West Virginia

West Virginia's unemployment rate in April 2011 was 8.8 percent, down from a high of 9.7 in December 2010, but still more than double its pre-recession levels. So while the state is doing slightly better, it still has plenty of room for improvement. But did the recession affect all areas of West Virginia's economy the…

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June 7, 2011 by WVCBP
Unemployment Benefits Helped West Virginia Lead the Nation

A recent US Bureau of Economic Analysis report on State Personal Income reveals the extent to which the West Virginia relied on Transfer Payments to support total Personal Income between 2008 and 2009, a time when the Great Recession was wrecking havoc on state budgets and employment outlook was particularly bleak. Transfer Payments, primarily Unemployment…

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June 3, 2011 by Sean O'Leary
Corporate Tax Reform Can Play a Role in Deficit Reduction

While there is a plenty of disagreement over how to handle the federal deficit and debt, one area almost everyone agrees on is the need for corporate tax reform. But while everyone agrees that the loopholes, deductions, and giveaways in the corporate tax code should be reigned in, both sides of the aisle also say…

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May 13, 2011 by Sean O'Leary
How Much is the Macy’s Deal Worth?

Last week it was announced that Macy's would be building a $150 million distribution center in Berkeley County. Macy's negotiated with Berkeley County for a payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) deal to entice the company to build in the county. The PILOT deal calls for Macy's to pay $11.25 million over 15 years; Macy's…

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May 11, 2011 by Sean O'Leary
Tax Cuts and Recession Continue to Drive Deficit

As the debate over the federal budget deficit and federal debt heat up, many, including plenty in West Virginia, have argued that the policies enacted since 2009 have pushed the deficit to its current heights, and only by reigning in this out of control spending can the deficit be reduced. But, the fact remains, the economic…

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May 10, 2011 by Ted Boettner
Myths vs. Truths: Health Care Cost in U.S.

Ever wonder why the we pay so much for health care in the U.S.? Is it because we eat and drink too much? Or is it those darn lawyers suing doctors? Nope. Not really HT: Ezra Klein Via: Medical Billing And Coding

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April 15, 2011 by Ted Boettner
Top Ten Tax Charts

With the April 18 tax filing deadline fast approaching, we've the CBPP assembled these charts to provide a big-picture look at the U.S. tax system.

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April 14, 2011 by Sean O'Leary
FY 2011 Budget Agreement: Projections for West Virginia

Last week, members of Congress avoided a government shutdown and came to an agreement to fund the federal government for the rest of the fiscal year. Over all the agreement contains a $38 billion reduction in appropriations for FY 2011, compared to FY 2010. Included in the agreement is a 0.2 percent across the board…

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