WVCBP in the News

August 10, 2014 by Ted Boettner
West Virginia Wives’ Share of Family Income Growing

Charleston Gazette - Wives in West Virginia bring in more of their families' income than married women in all but one other state, according to a recent study. ReadIn the Mountain State, women provided 50.1 percent of their families' income, according to the July 29 study from the University of New Hampshire Carsey School of…

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August 8, 2014 by Ted Boettner
Editorial: Plan for Future Without Coal

Charleston Gazette - Almost daily, stormy news surrounds West Virginia's coal industry. ReadAlpha Natural Resources notified 1,100 Mountain State miners of possible layoffs coming in mid-October. Earlier, Patriot Coal warned of 850 layoffs, and performed 75 of them so far. If all occur, several southern coal counties will suffer painfully.Thousands of miners and many politicians…

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August 1, 2014 by Ted Boettner
Win Over EPA Won’t Save Southern W.Va. Coal, Experts Say

Charleston Gazette - This week, West Virginia leaders were painting a picture of the rosy future that could await the coal industry, were it not for the Obama administration. Sprinkled among comments criticizing proposed reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, the state's elected officials made it sound like the good times could be just around the…

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August 1, 2014 by Ted Boettner
Coal Struggle Endures with W.Va. Mine Layoff Plans

Associated Press, Wichita Eagle, West Virginia Public Broadcasting — From Boone County banker Lee Milam's experience, each round of coal mine layoffs that hits southern West Virginia stifles his community's already-fragile economy. ReadThursday's news was especially bitter. Coal giant Alpha Natural Resources revealed plans to shed 1,100 workers at 11 West Virginia surface mines and…

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July 30, 2014 by Ted Boettner
‘Our Children, Our Future’ Campaign Returns

Martinsburg Journal – Michael Wuest, a member of the Youth Leadership Association at Martinsburg High School, wanted to know what is needed so young people like himself would be able to stay in West Virginia. ReadCreating jobs and fighting substance abuse was the consensus of the four state delegates gathered for a question and answer…

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July 29, 2014 by Ted Boettner
Family Dollar Sale May Not Affect Local Residents

Charleston Gazette - A major acquisition in the burgeoning field of discount stores may not have much effect for local residents. ReadOn Monday, Dollar Tree agreed to buy Family Dollar Stores for $8.5 billion. The move will see the merger of two of the nation's biggest discount retail stores, although Dollar Tree officials said they…

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July 25, 2014 by WVCBP
Nearly $1 Million in Insurance Refunds Coming to West Virginia

Charleston Gazette - More than $900,000 in refunds from insurance companies are headed to 8,300 people in West Virginia. ReadHealth and Human Services Secretary Sylvia M. Burwell announced the payments Thursday, crediting the Affordable Care Act, and said the refunds in West Virginia will average $177 per family.The payments are being made under the medical…

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July 24, 2014 by Ted Boettner
Keys to Grassroots Policy Success: Wide Net, Narrow Focus

West Virginia Public Broadcasting - If you spend any time at the West Virginia state capitol during the annual 60-day legislative session, you'll notice many voices clamoring for the attention of our state's part-time lawmakers. All citizens are welcome to approach legislators with ideas and requests, but average citizens generally don't have the time or…

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July 23, 2014 by Ted Boettner
Our Children, Our Future Campaign Holding Regional Meetings Across the State

West Virginia Metro News - A campaign aimed at improving communities and ending child poverty in West Virginia is holding regional workshops across the state. ReadThe Our Children, Our Future Campaign's goal is to identify and promote state policy opportunities at a local level which will improve communities and then achieve policy victories at the…

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July 13, 2014 by Ted Boettner
Study Highlights Low Minimum Wage for Tipped Employees

Sunday Gazette Mail - In West Virginia and many other states, the minimum wage for all workers is $7.25 an hour, but it is significantly less for tipped workers. Many restaurant owners only pay their workers a wage of $2.13 an hour, assuming tips will enable them to reach the minimum hourly wage. ReadSome waitresses…

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