State Journal - West Virginia teachers’ call for an increase in the natural gas severance tax to better fund their health insurance has reignited a discussion about the need for long-term stability for a sometimes unpredictable source of revenue. Read.
WVCBP in the News
Charleston Gazette-Mail - The West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy, Call to Action for Racial Equality: CARE Coalition and American Friends Service Committee WV will jointly host a free film screening and discussion of “Healing Justice,” the latest documentary from “Cracking the Code” creator Shakti Butler. Read.
Beckley Register-Herald - The West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy and partners will soon host a public forum to help the community better understanding the opioid crisis. Read.
Charleston Gazette - The PEIA Task Force, a vital part of the deal ending the West Virginia teacher and service personnel strike, was established in February by Gov. Jim Justice’s executive order. Read.
WOWK TV - The U.S. Supreme Court pick is to replace Justice Anthony Kennedy who is retiring. While Kennedy was a Republican, he was often the moderate swing vote on close 5-to-4 decisions. Read/Watch.
Playboy Magazine - Travis Brenda is not a name you’ll hear uttered by most political pundits. He may, in fact, never achieve long-term institutional power or become a household name. Yet, his recent surprise primary victory may be signaling a long-term titanic shift in the nation’s attitude toward taxes and what we are willing to pay…
Governing - Economists sometimes write about a “resource curse.” A country or region blessed with rich natural deposits can end up in serious economic trouble. The dominance of a few extractive companies and politically powerful players discourages other investment. In this sense, few places have been as cursed as West Virginia. Read.
State Journal - Unless West Virginia tweaks its laws, it won’t be able to easily collect sales taxes from online retailers who are selling goods and services online, but don’t have a physical location in the state. Read.
The New Food Economy - “The camera eats first.” Gone are the days of traditional wedding meals—meat, starch, and vegetable—served on boring white plates. The latest trend in nuptial nosh is all about extravagant, “image-forward” food, Karen Stabiner writes for The New York Times. Read.
Charleston Gazette-Mail - When Angela Spencer goes grocery shopping, she buys the same things as any other family — milk, bread, eggs, fruit and vegetables. She is one of nearly 350,000 West Virginians, though, who uses the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to buy these products. Read.