The Hill Blog - For more than a century, Appalachian coal communities have given more to the American dream and received less in return than any other region of our country. They’ve fueled our expansion westward, driven the industrial revolution, and powered our way to victory in two World Wars. At the same time, Appalachians…
OpEds
Huntington Herald-Dispatch - While the Fourth of July is a time to celebrate our country with family and friends, it's also a day to honor the heroes who have defended our freedom by serving in our military. ReadOne way to honor service members, veterans and their families this year is to ask Congress to save…
Charleston Gazette - The federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) recently released a working draft of a proposal to rein in abuses by payday and car-title lenders. West Virginia’s statutes putting a cap on interest rates essentially outlaw such high-priced schemes on the ground here, but our state should still pay attention. ReadThe Consumer Financial…
Working West Virginia moms are never off the clock. From packing lunches in the morning to tucking kids in at night, moms put in a lot more than a full day’s work. And every dollar they work for is hard earned. That’s why we are celebrating moms on Sunday. ReadBut this Mother’s Day, it’s also…
Sunday Gazette-Mail -As the Legislature moves to revamp our state’s tax system this year, lawmakers should avoid doubling down on the failed policies of the past and work toward changes that will support working families and stronger investments in our economy. ReadWhile we all want good-paying jobs and a stronger economy, the large corporate tax…
Charleston Daily Mail - As West Virginia lawmakers ponder getting rid of the state income tax, they would be wise to heed the recent experience of Kansas and an older exercise in tax cutting in our state. Neither turned out well for the people of Kansas or West Virginia. ReadThe idea of abolishing the personal…
Charleston Gazette - Our Legislature is considering a number of resolutions that could fundamentally alter our U.S. Constitution and put our democracy at risk. While the resolutions call for a constitutional convention of the states to impose fiscal restraints on the federal government, a convention could lead to sweeping, fundamental changes to our country. ReadAlthough…
Charleston Gazette - West Virginia’s Legislature is moving forward with a costly and ineffective bill targeted at only the poorest West Virginians. ReadThe bill, SB 348, would create a three-county pilot program to begin drug-testing recipients of cash assistance. The costs of the drug screening would be deducted from the TANF recipients’ monthly check and…
Huntington Herald-Dispatch - The new Republican Legislature is looking to end free bargaining in West Virginia by adopting a so-called "right-to-work" (RTW) law that aims to cut wages and benefits for the state's working families. ReadThis is the last thing West Virginia needs. The state already has the highest share of low-wage jobs in the…
Charleston Daily Mail - The Legislature is looking to end free bargaining in West Virginia by adopting a so-called “right-to-work” law.The result would be cutting wages and benefits for the state’s working families. West Virginia already has the highest share of low-wage jobs in the country.The principle aim of right-to-work laws is to diminish the…