WVCBP in the News

October 17, 2016 by Sean O'Leary
New Overtime Rules Coming, but Not Silently

Beckley Register-Herald - Upwards of 60,000 West Virginians could benefit when new overtime rules go into effect Dec. 1, but businesses predicted employment casualties if a lawsuit halting the implementation isn't successful. Read The changes would extend overtime pay to full-time, salaried employees netting less than $913 a week, or $47,476 yearly. Additionally, the rules…

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October 14, 2016 by Ted Boettner
Officials Warn of Looming Budget Crisis

The Inter-Mountain - West Virginia is looking at a $300-$400 million budget deficit in fiscal year 2018, and state lawmakers must be ready to answer difficult questions about how to bridge the gap, officials with the West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy said. Read After a special legislative session that cost $595,000, Gov. Earl…

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October 12, 2016 by Sean O'Leary
Preparing for the Budget Shortfall: What Type of Tax is Best?

WDTV - The impending state budget shortfall has the West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy drumming up solutions to keep us afloat. But which tax options do you think outweigh others and what areas should definitely not see budget cuts? Read/Listen The center has suggested different tax options for coming up with revenue and…

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October 5, 2016 by WVCBP
Polling Data Shows Support for the RECLAIM Act

Clarksburg Exponent-Telegram - The Sierra Club has released polling data from Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia in which they found voters overwhelmingly supported the RECLAIM Act, 89 percent to 9 percent. The margin is only slightly smaller in West Virginia specifically 87 percent to 12 percent. Read Jim Kotcon, chair of…

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September 30, 2016 by Ted Boettner
Can You Effectively Fight for Coal AND Diversify Our Economy?

West Virginia Public Broadcasting - Does our focus on revitalizing the coal industry hinder the state from diversifying its economy? Read/Listen A majority of West Virginians want the focus to be on diversification over protecting the coal industry, according to a new survey. Meanwhile, GOP gubernatorial candidate Bill Cole says he would do both, in…

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September 26, 2016 by Ted Boettner
$1 Billion Aid Proposal for Coal Areas Has Strong Support in Poll

Lexington Herald-Leader, The Paducah Sun - There is strong support among voters of all stripes for a proposal that would provide $1 billion for mine reclamation projects in Eastern Kentucky and other areas hurt by a slump in coal jobs, according to a seven-state poll released Monday. Read The poll found that 89 percent of…

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September 26, 2016 by Ted Boettner
Homelessness Alone Not an Exemption from Food-Stamp Work Requirements, Officials Say

Charleston Gazette-Mail - Homeless people in West Virginia will not automatically be exempt from requirements to work or train in order to keep their food-stamp benefits, officials say. Instead, homeless people will be evaluated and exempted from the requirements on a case-by-case basis. Read Regulations for the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program do not allow…

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September 26, 2016 by Ted Boettner
W.Va. Ranks Among Least Vulnerable to Identity Theft

Beckley Register-Herald, Bluefield Daily Telegraph - West Virginia ranked fourth in states least vulnerable to identify theft, according to a recent survey. Read The Mountain State ranked low in employment fraud complaints per capita and bank fraud complaints per capita, coming in fourth least in both, according to the Identity Theft Resource Center's Data Breach…

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September 23, 2016 by Ted Boettner
Do You Have a License For That?

West Virginia Public Broadcasting - On this episode of "The Front Porch," Scott, Laurie and Rick are joined by Ted Boettner of the West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy. Read/Listen They discuss the effect the increasing number of professions requiring licensure or certification has on the state's economy. Are all these licenses really necessary?…

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September 21, 2016 by Ted Boettner
Experts Advocate for Better Mental Health Resources and Juvenile Justice

West Virginia Public Broadcasting - The organization Mental Health Matters is holding a series of panel presentations around the state to advocate for juvenile justice and community-based mental health care for youth. Read/Listen Yesterday's forum, the second of six, was held at the University of Charleston and included panelists from mental health, education and legal…

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