The Real WV - On September 15, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) under the direction of Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz, provided details on how states may apply for funding from the $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Program created through the Working Families Tax Cuts Act, part of the “One, Big, Beautiful Bill.” Now, West Virginia…
Tax and Budget
West Virginia Watch, Charleston Gazette-Mail - Gov. Patrick Morrisey is asking for public input on West Virginia’s application for millions of dollars in federal funding meant to target rural health. Read the full article. The U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services opened the application process for the $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Program on…
West Virginia Watch - If you scroll through social media or watch the news, you’ll see our members of Congress and special interest groups practically begging West Virginians to believe that the so-called “Big Beautiful Bill” (HR 1) is good for us. But West Virginians know a bad deal when we see one. This legislation…
Proponents of the “One Big Beautiful Bill” (HR 1), including all four of West Virginia’s members of Congress, have repeatedly touted the tax provisions of the legislation as benefiting most or all West Virginia families. The WVCBP has already covered in detail how the SNAP and Medicaid provisions of HR 1 are particularly harmful for…
West Virginia News - Since signing an executive order providing religious exemptions to vaccines earlier this year, Gov. Patrick Morrisey has called on lawmakers to codify the exemptions into law. However, measures aimed at doing so failed during the regular session this year. Read the full article. Morrisey continues to tout the support he’s received…
The enactment of HR 1, the Budget Reconciliation Bill, supported by all four members of West Virginia’s Congressional Delegation, cements the largest cuts to Medicaid and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food assistance in our nation’s history. While the legislation was federal, the effects will be felt locally, impacting families, food pantries, and health care clinics, as…
Updated estimates from the West Virginia State Treasurer’s Office now estimate the cost of the expanded Hope Scholarship in FY 2027 to be about $245 million rather than the $315 million projected earlier this year. While their office has framed this as a "cost savings," in reality this still reflects exponential program growth far beyond…
WCBC Radio - More West Virginia schools could soon be forced to cut school nurses, meal programs, and other services with the passage of the Trump administration’s budget bill. Listen to the full segment. More than 235,000 of the state’s children are expected to be impacted, according to Tamaya Browser with the West Virginia Center…
WCHS - West Virginia faces persistent teacher shortages, broadband access, ongoing learning loss and debates over school choice. Communities are grappling with how best to educate the next generation. Read the full segment. Eyewitness News’ Town Hall “The Future of Education in Appalachia: What’s Working, What’s Broken?” explores the challenges and innovations shaping Appalachian classrooms…
The Intermountain - Kump Education Center will host Randolph County native Seth DiStefano as the speaker for First Friday Focus on Education on Friday, Sept. 5 at 5 p.m. Read the full article. He works with the West Virginia Center for Budget and Policy in a coalition of concerned citizens called “Together for Public Education.”…