WVCBP in the News

January 27, 2019 by Seth DiStefano
Judiciary Chairman: Criminal Justice Reform ‘Humanitarian’ and ‘Economic’ Issue

Charleston Gazette-Mail - In a break from tough-on-crime thinking, the Legislature is moving a series of bills designed to keep ex-convicts out of jails, not reel more in. Read full article. From letting certain nonviolent offenders clear their records after years of good behavior, to allowing the dismissal of drug offenses after people complete drug court…

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January 25, 2019 by WVCBP
Cannabis Moving Toward Legalization, Legitimization in WV

Charleston Daily Mail - Chris Yeager says he is sick of seeing people dying of opioid overdoses. Over the past several years, two members of his family overdosed and died, including his brother, who died on Christmas Eve in 2010. Both were taking suboxone, which is used to treat pain and opiate addiction. Read article. “It…

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January 24, 2019 by Kelly Allen
Legislative Engagement Workshop Held in Wheeling

WTOV - Wheeling residents had the chance to learn more about West Virginia legislature on Wednesday during a workshop at the First State Capitol Building downtown. Read/watch. The workshop gave guests an overview of the West Virginia state government and political infrastructure. Guests also engaged in mock interviews to learn how to talk to legislators.

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January 24, 2019 by WVCBP
West Virginia Lawmakers May Pave Way for Business Inventory Tax Repeal

Wheeling Intelligencer - The House Finance Committee on Wednesday took a first look at a possible amendment to the West Virginia Constitution paving the way for eliminating the business and inventory tax. Read full article. The proposal is House Joint Resolution 17. The resolution proposes an amendment to the state Constitution stating that the taxation of…

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January 19, 2019 by WVCBP
Bill Would Reverse Ban on Drug Felons Getting SNAP Benefits

Huntington Herald-Dispatch - Currently in West Virginia, a person convicted of mass murder can receive food assistance from the state if he or she is released from prison, but a felony drug conviction comes with a lifetime ban. Legislators hope to make that more fair and hopefully give those who served their time a better second…

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January 17, 2019 by Ted Boettner
Budget Breakfast Looks at WV Spending

WOWK-TV - They were crunching the numbers for breakfast in Charleston Wednesday. It was the annual "Budget Breakfast" sponsored by the West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy. Many members of the legislature, business community, and civic groups were there. And while the governor says the state has a projected budget surplus this year of…

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January 17, 2019 by WVCBP
West Virginia Lawmakers, Business Community Discuss Budget Surplus Over Breakfast

WTRF - West Virginia business community, civic groups, and lawmakers convened in Charleston Wednesday for the annual Budget Breakfast. Read/View. Sponsored by the West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy, those in attendance spent the morning crunching numbers. After review, many left the breakfast on the opposition of West Virginia Governor Jim Justice on how…

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January 15, 2019 by Sean O'Leary
Analysis: Business Property-Tax Cut Wouldn’t Bring Jobs

Public News Service - The governor and legislative leaders again are considering repealing the personal property tax for businesses. Read full article. But according to the West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy, it's unlikely to bring job growth. Last year, lawmakers looked at ending that tax on inventory, machinery and equipment. Sean O'Leary, a senior…

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January 8, 2019 by WVCBP
WVU Aims for Funding Stabilization, Anti-Hazing Legislation in New Year

Daily Athenaeum - When the 2019 West Virginia Legislative Session begins Wednesday, WVU will be lobbying for legislation relating to the higher education budget, anti-hazing laws and campus carry. Read full article. Foremost, the University will be looking into stabilizing the funds allocated to higher education, Rob Alsop, vice president for strategic initiatives at WVU, said…

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