Education

February 19, 2025 by Kelly Allen
Federal Cuts Could Affect Local Schools, Including Low Income And Disabled Students, Says Budget Expert

West Virginia Public Broadcasting - Just one month after his inauguration, the Trump administration has cut thousands of workers across the federal government. The Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, headed by Elon Musk, is looking to slash at least $1 trillion in federal spending across dozens of departments. Kelly Allen, executive director of the…

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February 19, 2025 by Kelly Allen
Senate President Discusses Legislative Priorities And How Federal Cuts Could Affect Local Schools, This West Virginia Morning

West Virginia Public Broadcasting - On this West Virginia Morning, new Senate President Randy Smith, R-Preston, spoke with news director Eric Douglas for The Legislature Today on Tuesday. They discussed Smith’s legislative priorities, including economic development and broadband issues. Read the full article. And amidst the cuts being made to federal programs, Kelly Allen, executive director of the…

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February 18, 2025 by Tamaya Browder
Six Funding Alternatives to Strengthen Public Schools for the Cost of the Hope Scholarship

Updated: February 27, 2025 to include pay raises for all school service personnel categories 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…

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February 18, 2025 by Sean O'Leary
Morrisey Says His Budget Would Fully Fund Essential Services. But There’s Plenty of Need Going Unfunded.

Mountain State Spotlight, Times West Virginian , Charleston Gazette-Mail- For people across the state who said they need help with water, food, drug addiction and more, Gov. Patrick Morrisey’s proposed budget won’t bring any new money to the table to fix those issues.  Read the full article. During budget hearings last week, Mike McKown, the…

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February 15, 2025 by WVCBP
Statehouse Beat: Morrisey Speech Short on Substance

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…

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February 14, 2025 by Kelly Allen
Morrisey Budget Plan: WV Facing Revenue Declines, Escalating Hope Scholarship Costs

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…

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February 11, 2025 by Tamaya Browder
West Virginia Must Modernize School Funding Formula to Prioritize Community Schools and Student Needs

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…

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February 8, 2025 by Kelly Allen
Morrisey Poised to Push Legislature for Cuts Amid Long-term Budget Squeeze

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…

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February 7, 2025 by WVCBP
Morrisey Needs to Brush Up on His Math

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…

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February 4, 2025 by WVCBP
What Does ‘School Choice’ Mean for West Virginians?

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…

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