Economy

February 9, 2026 by Sean O'Leary
West Virginia Could Get Nothing in Taxes from Data Centers for a Decade Under Proposed Bill

Mountain State Spotlight - Despite promises such facilities would provide a significant economic boost, data centers that locate in West Virginia could avoid paying any state taxes, under a proposal making its way through the Legislature. Read the full article. The tax credit under consideration would apply to warehouses and factories, but has raised concerns…

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January 30, 2026 by Kelly Allen
New Study Finds WV to be Only State Worse Off Than It Was 50 Years Ago — More Tax Cuts Won’t Help

West Virginia Watch, Huntington Herald Dispatch - West Virginia lawmakers across the political spectrum tend to agree on the importance of prioritizing state policies that will expand our economy, increase incomes for families, and boost jobs. And understandably so, as the economy and cost of living are generally the top issues for their constituents and…

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January 13, 2026 by Sean O'Leary
Federal DOGE Cuts Cost WV More Than 2,000 Jobs in 2025

After a several month delay due to the federal government shutdown, West Virginia's jobs report resumed this month, showing a sluggish economy that lost 700 jobs in November, and 5,800 jobs since July, for five straight months of job losses. The steepest losses of the year were in the federal government sector, as the federal…

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December 23, 2025 by WVCBP
West Virginia’s SNAP Soda Ban Takes Effect Jan. 1

West Virginia Watch, Yahoo News - Beginning New Year’s Day, West Virginian residents who rely on the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program can no longer use their benefits to purchase soda.  Read the full article. The state’s SNAP ban includes regular soda, diet soda and zero-calorie soda, but does not include water, milk, juice and…

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November 5, 2025 by WVCBP
New Report Provides WV Economic Overview, Highlights State’s Public Sector Workforce

For Immediate Release: November 5, 2025 Contact: Renee Alves Charleston, WV – Each year the West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy releases our annual State of Working West Virginia report, which examines the Mountain State’s economy through the lens of its workers—the people who power our state and economy. While each year’s report has a slightly different focus, one consistent…

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November 5, 2025 by Sean O'Leary
State of Working West Virginia 2025: The State of the Public Sector

Introduction The State of Working West Virginia 2025 is the 18th edition of an annual series that examines West Virginia’s economy through the lens of its workers–the people whose labor powers the state and our economy. While each year’s report has a different focus, examining data on topics such as employment, income, racial and gender…

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October 30, 2025 by Tamaya Browder
NEWS9 Special Assignment: HOPE and the Future of W.Va. Public Schools

WTOV9 - The HOPE Scholarship in West Virginia, offering up to $5,400 per student annually, is sparking debate as it impacts public school funding. Read the full article. With nearly $250 million allocated to the scholarship each year, more students are opting for private schools, leaving public schools facing uncertainty. And officials say that's chipping…

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