The State Journal - Thousands of West Virginia families rely on public child care assistance so they can maintain full- or part-time jobs. But recent changes in copayments and eligibility could leave some low-income families without that support, according to a new report issued by the West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy. Read
WVCBP in the News
The State Journal - Federal funds benefit many West Virginians. A recent report from the West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy found that more than 20 percent of state residents depend on federal benefits for personal income. Read
Charleston Gazette - Federal researchers estimate that Central Appalachian tonnage will fall more than half in the coming decade. Sean O'Leary, of the West Virginia Center for Budget and Policy, told (Ken) Ward: "The reality is that even without greenhouse gas or mercury regulations, coal production in Central Appalachia is going to dramatically decline. Repealing…
Charleston Gazette - Last week, the West Virginia Center for Budget and Policy reported that coal mining and natural gas extraction, two of West Virginia's largest industries, accounted for 5.5 percent of the state's total personal income in 2011. By comparison, the federal Medicaid program made up 4.4 percent, Medicare 6.6 percent and Social Security…
Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin is rejecting a proposal that he form a bipartisan commission to begin more serious planning for the decline of Southern West Virginia's coal industry. Tomblin has also rejected a proposal by the West Virginia Center for Budget and Policy for a small increase in coal taxes to create a "future fund"…
Energy policy is an important issue in the presidential campaign and West Virginia coal has been a part of the discussion. "The regulations may have long-term impact" on the coal industry, but recent mine closures are due more to the plunge in prices for natural gas that make coal less cost-competitive, says Ted Boettner, executive director…
AP vie The Huffington Post -- Thin Appalachian seams won't magically thicken and become easier or cheaper to mine, as the West Virginia Center on Budget & Policy notes. Read
Public News Service - According to the West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy, West Virginia does a terrible job tracking and evaluating the tax breaks intended to spark job growth. Read
Charleston Daily Mail -- The consulting firm that helped Gestamp negotiate the deal has said the value of the incentives "could eclipse an estimated $55 million." Analyst Sean O'Leary of the West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy has estimated the incentives are worth $84.4 million. Read
Charleston Daily Mail -- "It's all a shift, unless you want to cut back massively on local services beyond education," said Ted Boettner, Executive Director of the liberal West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy. Read