WOWK - A storm is brewing over West Virginia’s proposed state budget for the coming year. Gov. Jim Justice (R-WV) says his numbers are solid, but critics aren’t so sure. Read the full article. We are just 16 days into the legislative session, so the number crunching will continue for several more weeks. In his…
WVCBP in the News
Yahoo News - Recently, several policies have made changes to work requirements for food stamps. Instead of increasing employment rates and decreasing the number of people who rely on food assistance programs, studies have shown it’s had a negative impact on local communities. Read the full article. Work requirements are meant to force Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients…
Daily Yonder, Modern Farmer - As policymakers in DC have continued to negotiate compromises to fund the federal government — and craft a new Farm Bill — there has been no shortage of political wrangling over the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), often referred to as “food stamps.” For example, in mid 2023 an agreement…
Mountain State Spotlight - West Virginia’s babies and new mothers are at concerningly high risk of dying during and around childbirth. One of the key state strategies for addressing these problems are the infant and maternal mortality review teams, government-mandated panels to identify why people are dying, which groups are most at risk and what can be…
West Virginia MetroNews - Following on the heels of a big personal income tax cut, Gov. Jim Justice has proposed three more tax breaks. Read the full article. West Virginia lawmakers will now need to make a calculation about whether the state can afford to embrace the proposals. The state’s 21.25 personal property tax cut…
Charleston Gazette-Mail - Deaths at state-run jails in West Virginia declined in 2023 from the previous year but remained significantly higher than totals throughout the 2010s. Read the full article. In 2023, 16 incarcerated people died in West Virginia regional jails, according to data the Gazette-Mail obtained from the state Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation…
West Virginia MetroNews - The foster care services formerly known as Braley & Thompson is celebrating its new brand identity, StepStone Family and Youth Services. Read the full article. The foster services organization held a ribbon cutting ceremony at its Dunbar location Wednesday afternoon to welcome the name change. StepStone Family and Youth Services Executive…
Mountain State Spotlight - For the next two months, lawmakers will be at the state Capitol for their annual legislative session. Each year is a chance for them to pass new laws, as well as make sure those that are already in place are achieving what they intended. Read the full article. In one of…
West Virginia Watch, Beckley Register-Herald - Gov. Jim Justice gave his eighth and final State of the State address last week, and although there were no dog butts or loads of bullcrap, there was lots to dissect. Let’s take a look at what he said. Read the full article. “Do you realize that if we left here, right this minute,…
West Virginia MetroNews - Officials considering Gov. Jim Justice’s proposed $5.22 billion general revenue budget will also need to take into account a few variables. Those could have such weight that officials are projecting state revenue will dip slightly over the next several years. Read the full article. One factor is the possibility that West…