Income and Work

February 7, 2022 by Sean O'Leary
Controversial Changes to WV Unemployment Proposed

WVNSTV - West Virginia lawmakers are considering bills that could drastically change unemployment benefits in the state. Read the full article. Supporters of the idea, say they’re just trying to get more people back to work. A lot of the unemployment concerns stem from the impact of COVID-19. Some businesses were hit hard in the…

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February 7, 2022 by Kelly Allen
Blair Promotes Changes to Unemployment Benefits as Senate Bills Near Passage

West Virginia MetroNews - The state Senate is on the verge of passing two bills that would make major changes to the unemployment safety net in West Virginia. Read the full article. Senate President Craig Blair feels so strongly about the bills that he came down from his usual spot presiding over the chamber today…

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February 4, 2022 by Sean O'Leary
Unemployment Bills Set for Senate Vote Tuesday

Charleston Gazette-Mail - The state Senate is poised to slash unemployment benefits and tighten the process for people to prove they’re seeking work at a time when West Virginia’s unemployment rate is at a record low. Senate Bill 2 would cut the state’s paid unemployment benefits from 26 to 12 weeks, based on the current…

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February 1, 2022 by Kelly Allen
Full Senate to Consider Bill Reducing Length of Unemployment Eligibility

West Virginia MetroNews - After a lot of starts and stops, the Senate Judiciary Committee passed out a bill that would limit the period West Virginians are eligible for unemployment benefits. Read the full article. Today was the third day for the committee to consider the bill. Part of the complication was an amendment proposed…

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January 21, 2022 by Sean O'Leary
W.Va. Economists Talk Jobs, Workforce Participation And Nucor

West Virginia Public Broadcasting - This week on The Legislature Today, West Virginians weigh in on a controversial piece of legislation. As health reporter June Leffler reports, pro-life and pro-choice residents spoke on two abortion bills at a public hearing Monday in front of state lawmakers. Listen to the full segment. Also, in this show, energy…

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January 17, 2022 by Sean O'Leary
Unemployment Reform Bills Are Another Attack on Workers

On the first day of the 2022 legislative session, the West Virginia Senate introduced bills that would make major changes to the state's unemployment insurance system, to the detriment of the state's workers. While Senate Bill 3 would add additional strict work search requirements for unemployed workers collecting unemployment insurance, Senate Bill 2 would reduce…

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January 7, 2022 by Sean O'Leary
As Leaders Eye Changes to the State’s Unemployment System, There’s Lots of Potential to Hurt West Virginians

Mountain State Spotlight, Beckley Register-Herald, My Buckhannon - When the pandemic hit West Virginia in the spring of 2020, the symptoms were immediate, even before cases and deaths were close to their peak: Shutdowns and public health concerns forced thousands of state residents out of their jobs. Read the full article. Continued unemployment claims skyrocketed from…

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