The Hope Scholarship, West Virginia's school vouchers' program, is experiencing exponential growth in program costs. From FY 2024 to FY 2027, when the program is slated to become universal, meaning that public taxpayer dollars will go to families whose children are already in private school or being homeschooled, the cost is expected to increase more…
Education
Charleston Gazette-Mail - Having now covered State of the State addresses by seven governors, it’s fascinating how the substance, tone and delivery of something so conventional can vary so greatly. Read the full article. For instance, Cecil Underwood, Earl Ray Tomblin, and especially, Gaston Caperton, were not particularly gifted public speakers, while Bob Wise and…
Charleston Gazette-Mail - A state budget forecast released by West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey’s administration projects a long-term revenue decline amid a tightening budget squeeze. Read the full article. The six-year financial plan as of Wednesday released by Morrisey’s administration to coincide with the start of the 2025 regular legislative session projects estimated general revenue…
Overview The public school system is an essential resource for West Virginians. The majority of children in our state, about 90 percent, are served through the public school system. This resource is guaranteed to West Virginians through our state constitution which promises a thorough and efficient system of free schools. Every child in our state…
Charleston Gazette-Mail, Huntington Herald-Dispatch - Two numbers will loom over the West Virginia legislative session that resumes Wednesday: 37 and 47. Read the full article. New Gov. Patrick Morrisey is West Virginia’s 37th governor. West Virginia ranked 47th nationally in economic well-being in a 2024 assessment of state trends in child welfare from a prominent…
Beckley Register-Herald - The last two West Virginia governors, including the newly minted one, Patrick Morrisey, who has been in the job for a little more than a turn of the screw, have had a difficult time leveling with the people of this poor state, especially when it comes to the health of the state…
WBOY - Last week, Gov. Patrick Morrisey issued a proclamation declaring that the week of Jan. 26 would be known as “School Choice Week” in West Virginia. But in a state plagued by school closures and consolidations, what does “school choice” mean for West Virginians? Read the full article. Following his inauguration in January, Gov. Morrisey issued Executive…
Parkersburg News and Sentinel, Wheeling Intelligencer, Inter-Mountain - The West Virginia chapter of a conservative grassroots advocacy organization that spent money and manpower on behalf of the state’s new Republican governor and other GOP leaders now hopes their legislative agenda will receive a warm welcome, though opposition remains. Read the full article. The West Virginia…
Overview According to the state constitution, West Virginians are guaranteed “a thorough and efficient system of free schools” provided by the Legislature. However, the ability of our state to fulfill this guarantee for the nearly 90 percent of school-aged children in West Virginia who attend public schools is currently threatened by a variety of challenges.…
Huntington Herald-Dispatch - The Cabell County Board of Education’s two remaining bond projects are predicted to be over budget. Read the full article. According to data provided to the board by Treasurer Drew Rottgen during a budget workshop meeting Monday, construction costs of the Woody Williams Center for Advanced Learning and Careers and the new…