WVCBP in the News

January 9, 2014 by Ted Boettner
State Government Accountability an Ongoing Challenge

The State Journal - Is state government doing some things right and some things wrong? Is it too large or too small? Read "We don't know because we don't hold government accountable," said Robin Capehart, former secretary of the state Department of Tax and Revenue. Capehart is now president of West Liberty University. Ted Boettner,…

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January 9, 2014 by Ted Boettner
Governor Tomblin Proposes Modest Pay Increases in State of the State Address

The State Journal - With the House chamber full, West Virginia Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin delivered the State of the State address to an expectant crowd that consisted of the Senate President, Speaker of the House, members of the Legislature, Board of Public Works members, Justices of the Supreme Court of Appeals, State Board of…

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January 7, 2014 by Ted Boettner
LEGISLATIVE LOOKAHEAD – Kessler: Act Now On Future Fund

Wheeling Intelligencer, Weirton Daily Times and the Inter-Mountain - With natural gas companies investing billions of dollars around West Virginia's Northern Panhandle, state Senate President Jeff Kessler believes the time is now to ensure the resulting wealth remains for future generations to enjoy. Read By the time lawmakers leave Charleston in March, Kessler hopes to…

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January 7, 2014 by Ted Boettner
House Leadership Wants Higher Minimum Wage in West Virginia

Charleston Daily Mail - House Democrats are proposing a $1 increase to West Virginia's minimum wage as part of a legislative agenda they say is designed to strengthen families, communities and the state's economy. Read "The safety of our families and communities must be the bedrock upon which we build successful communities," said House Speaker…

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January 6, 2014 by Ted Boettner
Future Fund Idea Picks Up Steam Ahead of Session

Charleston Daily Mail - As the state's natural gas industry continues to expand, members of the West Virginia Legislature are developing a plan to keep some of that revenue within the state's borders. Read Senate President Jeff Kessler, D-Marshall, has touted his ideas for a Future Fund since the 2013 legislative session. Now, his idea…

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January 6, 2014 by Ted Boettner
Future Fund Debated as West Virginia Legislative Session Nears

The State Journal - The promise of better days ahead in West Virginia is always front and center this time of the year, as a new session of the state legislature is being prepared. Read But for 2014, that hope may not be more pronounced than ever before. The source for that hope - an…

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January 4, 2014 by Ted Boettner
Your Favorite West Virginia Stories of 2013

West Virginia Public Broadcasting - A study of land ownership, a documentary about a long-running music show, and positive stories about West Virginians --- these are your favorite posts from 2013 on wvpublic.org. Read Here's my personal take on what you like: You like in-depth stories that explain West Virginia to you (Who Owns West…

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January 4, 2014 by Ted Boettner
West Virginia Government Grows, Shrinks

The State Journal - When the West Virginia Capitol was completed in 1932, it housed every office of state government. Read Every single office of state government … in one building. That's unthinkable today. Barring another mid-year budget adjustment, West Virginia state government is an $11.47 billion enterprise that employs about 43,000 people directly and…

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January 3, 2014 by Ted Boettner
Map to Prosperity: What Should the Role of State Government Be?

The State Journal - Ted Boettner, executive director of the West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy, a liberal think tank, responded to the question, "What do you think the role of state government should be?" Read "Our public investments in schools, health care, transportation, innovation and public safety are not only essential to our…

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January 2, 2014 by Ted Boettner
Breaking the Resource Curse

 "Future Funds" Could Spur Economic Development in Central Appalachia The Appalachian Voice - As Central Appalachian coal production declines, many realize the need to maximize tax revenues from coal and natural gas extraction. For the past three years, a movement to establish a permanent natural resource trust fund has grown in West Virginia. Ted Boettner,…

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