WVCBP in the News

December 14, 2014 by Ted Boettner
When Less is More: Even as Wages Rise, Earning Power Drops

Charleston Gazette - When people think about their wages, annual salaries and expenses it's not always easy to compare current costs to past costs and figure out just what has changed financially. ReadThe minimum wage, created in 1938, has gone up over the years. But if wage increases are calculated using inflation rates, those increases…

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November 23, 2014 by Ted Boettner
Global Climate Deal Could Give Coal Another Chance

The State Journal - President Barack Obama announced a landmark agreement with Chinese President Xi Jinping Nov. 11 that aims to cut back carbon dioxide emissions on a global level. ReadTo some, this comes off as a deal that would destroy the coal industry, as China accounts for almost half of the world's coal consumption;…

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November 12, 2014 by Ted Boettner
Four Ways West Virginia Can Reduce CO2 Emissions

West Virginia Public Broadcasting - The report is called Carbon Dioxide Emission Reduction Opportunities for the West Virginia Power Sector. It was spun out of an annual conference on anticipated rules to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from power plants, the EPA's Clean Power Plan, Rule 111(d). An environmental consulting firm based in Morgantown, Downstream Strategies,…

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November 12, 2014 by Ted Boettner
Summit Digs into Persistence of U.S. Racism

Charleston Gazette - The United States is becoming more diverse, said Mike Wenger, researcher and professor of race at George Washington University. ReadWenger, who spoke at Tuesday's Summit on Race Matters in Appalachia, said it's in a city or state's better interests to accept that."It's a reality we should embrace and treasure. Certainly for our…

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November 12, 2014 by Sean O'Leary
Movin’ On Up

Beckley Register-Herald - The news this week that the nonpartisan Tax Foundation has ranked West Virginia No. 21 in taxation burdens on citizens and business is a welcome improvement. Read  That of course is a big move upward in the rankings, at least for people who think the state's tax structure discourages businesses from relocating here…

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November 11, 2014 by Sean O'Leary
West Virginia Continues to Improve its Tax Ranking

Beckley Register-Herald - A politically-neutral tax research organization has ranked West Virginia No. 21 overall in taxation burdens to its citizens and business, bucking the state's reputation for having an anti-business attitude. ReadThat's a far better ranking than in past years, or even decades.The Tax Foundation ranking of West Virginia was based on comparing each state's…

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November 9, 2014 by Sean O'Leary
Is the Mountain State Really Open for Business?

The State Journal - With the Mountain State constantly being ranked last, it might feel like a far stretch to say West Virginia might be doing tax structure the right way. ReadBut according to a new study, West Virginia is ranked 21 among the best business tax climates in the country. In the latest from the…

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November 9, 2014 by Sean O'Leary
After Small Upswing, Coal Production and Jobs Dip Again in Eastern Kentucky

Lexington Herald-Leader - After an upswing this year, coal production declined in Eastern Kentucky in the July-through-September quarter and dragged employment down with it. ReadStatewide, however, production rose for the third quarter in a row because of growth in Western Kentucky, according to a report released Friday by the state Energy and Environment Cabinet.Tonnage had…

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November 7, 2014 by Ted Boettner
“Race Matters in Appalachia” Comes to Charleston

West Virginia Public News Service - A summit on race relations coming Monday and Tuesday to Charleston offers a chance for a deep, civilized look at something that matters, according to its organizers. ReadIssues of bias typically are either ignored or inflamed, unquestioned or tangled in controversy, said the Rev. Ron English of the Charleston…

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November 7, 2014 by WVCBP
Kentucky Health Co-op Postpones Entrance into W.Va. Marketplace

Charleston Gazette - The Kentucky Health Cooperative, which announced in May that it would enter West Virginia's health-care marketplace in 2015, has announced that it will postpone its entry for one year amid concerns that its infrastructure is not yet prepared to handle demand in the state. ReadJoseph Smith, chairman of the KHC, said the…

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