Economic Security

May 18, 2021 by Sean O'Leary
Analyst: End of Supplemental Unemployment Benefits Could Slow State’s Economic Recovery

Charleston Gazette-Mail - Gov. Jim Justice has joined 20 other Republican governors in announcing plans to end federal supplemental unemployment benefits, claiming “a lot, lot, lot of folks are scamming the system” by accepting the extra $300-a-week payment. Read the full article. Justice said Friday, and reiterated Monday, that he is ordering the $300 payments…

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May 15, 2021 by Kelly Allen
Justice Says He’ll Halt Enhanced Unemployment Benefits Next Month

West Virginia MetroNews - Gov. Jim Justice announced today the state will halt enhanced pandemic unemployment benefits at midnight June 19, just before West Virginia Day. Read the full article. “We’ve got to have you back to work. America is all about work. That’s what’s made this great country,” Justice said during a briefing today.…

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May 14, 2021 by Sean O'Leary
Are Unemployment Benefits Causing a Labor Shortage, or is the Economy Adjusting After a Pandemic?

Last week, the Bureau of Labor Statistics released the April jobs report, showing that job growth slowed significantly in April and raising concerns about the economy. Following these disappointing jobs numbers were anecdotes from businesses claiming to struggle to find workers willing to work, particularly in the restaurant industry. "Generous" unemployment benefits were quickly blamed,…

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May 12, 2021 by Sean O'Leary
Justice Considering eliminating $300 Extra Unemployment Benefit Early

West Virginia MetroNews - Gov. Jim Justice said Wednesday he’s considering eliminating the $300 weekly additional unemployment benefit that thousands of state residents receive before its September expiration date. Read the full article. Justice said he’s heard from employers that can’t fill jobs. He said some people still need the benefits but there are some…

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May 12, 2021 by Seth DiStefano
Economic Supports in American Families Plan are Historic Opportunity for WV

The American Families Plan framework as outlined by the Biden Administration represents the single biggest investment in the economic security of workers and families since FDR’s New Deal. Two specific policies, permanent expansions of both the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC), will directly increase the household incomes of hundreds of…

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May 7, 2021 by Kelly Allen
Paid Leave Could Mean Fewer WV Women Exiting Workforce

Public News Service - Nearly 60% of West Virginia workers lack access to any form of time off, either paid or unpaid. Read the full article. Kelly Allen, executive director of the West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy, said families are being forced to choose between caring for a child or family member or getting a…

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May 3, 2021 by Seth DiStefano
Why Are Children and Frontline Workers a Part of Biden’s Infrastructure Bill?

WOWK - On Inside West Virginia Politics, Seth DiStefano from the West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy office says he supports President Joe Biden’s infrastructure plan, which affects the Child Tax Credit and Earned Income Tax Credit. Watch the full segment. “When it comes to West Virginia kids and West Virginia working families, there…

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May 3, 2021 by Seth DiStefano
How Would the Infrastructure Bill, Expanding Broadband Impact WV?

WOWK - This week on Inside West Virginia Politics, officials from West Virginia and beyond discuss President Joe Biden’s infrastructure bill, how West Virginia is expanding broadband, and how a donation to a university in West Virginia will help undergrad students. Watch the full segment. In Segment 1, U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R) Kentucky shares his…

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April 29, 2021 by WVCBP
State Coalition Will Launch Paid Leave Works for West Virginia in Response to the American Families Plan

Media Advisory: April 29, 2021Contact: Gretchen Frankenberry, 304-444-4695 Charleston, WV - On Monday, May 3 at 4:00pm, a broad coalition of stakeholders will launch Paid Leave Works for WV, a statewide advocacy campaign in support of comprehensive Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML). The virtual launch will include a panel of West Virginians directly impacted by the…

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