Introduction Nearly everyone agrees that policymakers and citizens should do all we can to make West Virginia a place where families and businesses can thrive. Vibrant communities, safe neighborhoods, high-quality education, strong infrastructure, and healthy residents are shared goals for most West Virginians. READ THE FULL REPORT. Recently the conversation about improving West Virginia has…
Economic Security
Mountain State Spotlight, Bluefield Daily Telegraph, Times West Virginian - During a press conference about a possible $400 million shortfall in the state budget, Gov. Patrick Morrisey said he won’t raise taxes. In fact, he intends to continue cutting them. Read the full article. Part of that $400 million hole includes the state having to come…
Black By God: The West Virginian - I walked the thick, white marble hallways of the West Virginia State Capitol for years as a lobbyist. My journey into policy work began out of frustration during the 2014 West Virginia Water Crisis and the fight for the Aboveground Storage Tank Bill. The process felt foreign—because it…
WOWK - On this week’s episode of Inside West Virginia Politics, we discuss President Trump’s expansion plans, the plans of the State Treasurer’s office, the role of the West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy and Gov. Morrisey’s plans for the state. Read the full article. In Segment One, we pick up where we left…
West Virginia Watch, Beckley Register-Herald, Spirit of Jefferson - At his first press conference as governor last week, Patrick Morrisey promised that under his watch state government will be “more efficient and effective than ever before.” He indeed has a powerful opportunity to increase government efficiency through comprehensive and thoughtful agency reviews, but he may…
West Virginia MetroNews - As the new chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, Jason Barrett has a challenge ahead: the general fund deficit of more than $400 million anticipated by the Morrisey administration for the next fiscal year. Read the full article. Barrett, R-Berkeley, said state officials are up to the task. “I would agree…
West Virginia MetroNews - New Gov. Patrick Morrisey says his administration projects a budget deficit of more than $400 million for the coming fiscal year. Read the full article. “Now, it’s important that when you talk about the budget, we’re talking about what we inherited,” said Morrisey, adding that the big number doesn’t factor in…
West Virginia News - The annual Kids Count Data Book was recently published, highlighting where each state ranks in terms of child well-being. Read the full article. As a whole, West Virginia placed 44th in the nation after looking at data in categories including education, health, economy and family and community. The study helps officials…
West Virginia Watch, Huntington Herald-Dispatch, Times West Virginian, West Virginia Daily News - A bill that would expand the work requirements for West Virginians receiving assistance from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program will get another chance at becoming law during the upcoming legislative session, its sponsor said. Read the full article. Sen. Rollan Roberts, R-Raleigh,…
Beckley Register-Herald - Tough stories about kids hurt my heart, especially this time of year when all that we do should be about showing them the lights, especially in a sea of darkness. Read the full op-ed. I stand corrected. That should be the year-round mission, no matter the age, no matter the holiday, presents…