Income and Work

May 28, 2021 by Kelly Allen
Kelly Allen: WV Delegation Should Support Tax on Wealthy (Opinion)

Charleston Gazette-Mail - West Virginia’s bridges, dams, drinking water, roads and wastewater have received a D grade from the American Society of Civil Engineers, and 24% of the state’s residents live in a broadband desert. Furthermore, 54% live in a child care desert and 19% of children in the state live in poverty. Read the…

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May 27, 2021 by Sean O'Leary
States Tap Federal Aid to Shore up Empty Unemployment Funds

Brooklyn Daily Eagle - Businesses could be spared billions of dollars of higher taxes in coming years — potentially freeing up money to spend on employees or invest in their operations — as a result of federal coronavirus aid flowing to the states. Read the full article. Governors and lawmakers in more than half the…

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May 24, 2021 by WVCBP
TUESDAY: Down Payment on an Old Note

Beckley Register-Herald - For a state that has given much to build this nation of steel, laboring in the coal mines all these years, it is frustrating to watch West Virginia’s two U.S. senators stand in the way of the Biden administrative plan to repay a portion of that debt. Read the full article. Yes,…

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May 20, 2021 by Kelly Allen
Justice Praises Improved Unemployment Report, but Still Says Enhanced Benefits Must End

West Virginia MetroNews - Gov. Jim Justice touted West Virginia’s improving unemployment rate while also saying not enough residents are going back to work. Read the full article. The statements were in two different parts of his regular pandemic briefing today. In one, he touted this week’s report that West Virginia’s unemployment rate has dropped to 5.8…

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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 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 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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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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