WVCBP in the News

February 3, 2020 by WVCBP
Logan Thorne: Fighting for Fair Transition from Coal (Opinion)

Charleston Gazette-Mail - Fifty-two years removed from this historic tragedy, the writing is on the wall for the industry that — with all of its problems — once nourished my community. Coal is declining, and rapidly. Market forces and regulation, partially driven by the accelerating climate crisis, are moving the world toward cleaner energy sources…

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January 30, 2020 by Ted Boettner
Senators Kick Off Debate Over Possible Property Tax Cuts

WV Metro News - Senators took a first look at a resolution that could later allow them to cut taxes on motor vehicles and other personal property. Read article. The Senate Judiciary Committee discussed the resolution for about three hours Thursday afternoon before a majority of members voted to pass it. It now goes to…

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January 27, 2020 by WVCBP
Multiple Groups Push for Criminal Justice Changes

WV Metro News - Multiple advocacy groups have come together in asking West Virginia lawmakers to make changes with the state’s criminal justice system. Read article. Representatives of the groups on Monday urged lawmakers to tackle multiple issues connected to a problem facing the state’s jails and prison: overcapacity.

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January 27, 2020 by WVCBP
Food-Stamp Work Requirements Just Look Cruel

Bloomberg Opinion - In some circles, the notion that there’s no free lunch isn’t just a metaphor for our economic reality -- it’s taken as a directive. That’s the idea behind the view that to qualify for government benefits, an able-bodied adult should either hold a job or be in school. West Virginia has been…

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January 20, 2020 by Seth DiStefano
Seth DiStefano on the Annual Budget Breakfast

WOWK-TV - Seth Distefano of the West Virginia Center on Budget Policy discusses the take away from the annual budget breakfast, including the governor’s plans for a rainy day fund to support Medicaid, the removal of the IDD Waiver Waitlist, and policies to combat hunger. Watch.

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January 16, 2020 by Seth DiStefano
Hunger Caucus: W.Va. has 270,000 People Struggling with Hunger Each Day

WV Press, Point Pleasant Register - West Virginia has 270,000 people struggling with hunger each day. Read article. That message was delivered to the Hunger Caucus, a bipartisan group from the West Virginia House of Delegates, that met this week at the West Virginia Legislature to address food insecurity issues. Chad Morrison of the Mountaineer Foodbank…

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January 15, 2020 by WVCBP
Lawmakers Discuss West Virginia Budget at Annual “Budget Breakfast”

WOWK-TV - There was a lot to chew on during the annual “Budget Breakfast” sponsored by the West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy. Governor Jim Justice’s proposed four-and-a-half billion dollar spending plan was the main course. That focused a lot of talk about repealing the state’s business equipment and inventory tax, which critics say slows…

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January 15, 2020 by WVCBP
Food Stamps Work Requirement Causes More Harm than Good

Times West Virginia - West Virginia was in national news earlier this week and, as is the usual case when our state draws the attention of the likes of the New York Times, it was not a positive story. Read article. The story headlined “What happened when a state made food stamps harder to get,” illuminated…

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January 13, 2020 by Seth DiStefano
What Happened When a State Made Food Stamps Harder to Get

New York Times - In the early mornings, Chastity and Paul Peyton walk from their small and barely heated apartment to Taco Bell to clean fryers and take orders for as many work hours as they can get. It rarely adds up to a full-time week’s worth, often not even close. With this income and whatever…

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January 10, 2020 by Ted Boettner
Ohio Valley Outlook: Expect A Slower Regional Economy In 2020

Ohio Valley Resource - The Ohio Valley’s economy could see slower growth in 2020 amid continued anxiety about trade, and possible downturns in both energy and manufacturing, according to analyses and forecasts by regional economists. Read article. Michael Hicks directs the Center for Business and Economic Research at Ball State University in Indiana where he forecasts…

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