Charleston Gazette - Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin on Wednesday night promised to keep fighting tougher federal regulation of the coal industry, touted continued growth of the state's natural gas business, and said he would spare West Virginia's mine safety agency the budget cuts hitting other sectors of state government. Read But in a speech heavy…
WVCBP in the News
Charleston Gazette - Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin's office won't cut child-care assistance after all, the governor said Wednesday in his State of the State address. Read Tomblin said he is proposing $17 million to preserve the state's child- care subsidies program. Ted Boettner, executive director of the West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy, said Tomblin…
The State Journal - State lawmakers will get another go at a bill designed to cushion the blow of up and downs in the state's energy economy. Read The Future Fund is a concept that has been promoted in the Legislature for the past several years. The idea is to take funds from increased activity…
Labor economists predict that in five years nearly half the jobs in West Virginia will require education and training beyond high school, but a state education official said a high school diploma today is already not enough to fill high-skilled jobs. Read
West Virginia Public News Service - According to Sean O'Leary, a policy analyst with the West Virginia Center On Budget and Policy, the state has closed one big loophole that had allowed companies to hide profits in other states. But he says it's hard to confirm how much the state loses to offshore tax havens,…
The State Journal - Ted Boettner, director of the West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy, said the data is not necessarily a harbinger of further declines in coal mining jobs. The Energy Information Administration, he points out, does predict a decline in coal production, but another factor is involved. Read "I think the jury…
West Virginia Public News Service - Two new reports shed light on economic challenges facing many of West Virginia's families. Read The first report, from the Corporation for Enterprise Development, says half of the state's residents don't have enough savings to keep afloat for three months in case of a job loss or other emergency.…
Nearly half of all state residents do not have enough savings to cover expenses for at least three months if they were to lose their jobs or suffer costly medical emergencies, according to a new report. Read
Charleston Gazette - Poorer families often need short-term financial assistance when family members lose jobs or face serious health problems. Read State government leaders should reduce current requirements that those families must deplete all their savings and assets before they can qualify to receive short-term assistance.
Citizens of Fayette County and their representatives came together to discuss education, health care, and the state's economic future at a legislative forum hosted Thursday by Fayette Fair Share. Read Attendees heard presentations by representatives from the West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy, West Virginians for Affordable Health Care and the West Virginia Education…