WVCBP in the News

April 8, 2024 by Sara Whitaker
As WV’s Jail Crisis Mounts, ‘Second Look’ Policies Gain Traction

Public News Service - Amid overcrowding and unsafe conditions in West Virginia jails, state lawmakers introduced bills that would allow judges to take a 'second look' at an individual's original sentence. Read the full article. If a court determines they no longer pose a threat to the community, the person could be released, placed on…

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April 2, 2024 by Rhonda Rogombe
Medicaid Advocates in West Virginia Express Concerns

Wheeling Intelligencer, The Inter-Mountain, West Virginia News - Advocates for a strong and robust Medicaid system in West Virginia say the program is healthy, but changes and cuts being considered by the Legislature could put the program at risk of not meeting the needs of state residents. Read the full article. Advocacy organizations gathered in…

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April 1, 2024 by Sean O'Leary
State Revenue Down, But Still Ahead Of Estimates

West Virginia Public Broadcasting - West Virginia’s state revenue is down from last fiscal year by 12 percent — a difference of more than $500 million. Read the full article. In March 2024, the state collected about $487.4 million. That is nearly $95 million over revenue estimates, but 6 percent lower than what it collected…

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April 1, 2024 by Rhonda Rogombe
Affordable Healthcare Advocates Urge Lawmakers to Adjust State Budget Funding for Medicaid Recipients

West Virginia MetroNews, WCHS - Amid nearly one-third of West Virginians relying on Medicaid, the state-federal affordable healthcare insurance program could face over a $100 million dollar shortfall if lawmakers don’t act. Read the full article. State healthcare experts met on Monday morning in Charleston advocating for West Virginia legislators to vote to preserve and…

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April 1, 2024 by WVCBP
Advocates, Dems Urge Medicaid Funding

West Virginia Watch, News from the States, Bluefield Daily Telegraph - With a special legislative session to address the state budget on the horizon, advocates for West Virginia Medicaid called on state policy makers Monday to fund the health care program. Read the full article. Ellen Allen, executive director of West Virginians for Affordable Health…

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March 28, 2024 by Seth DiStefano
Unemployment, Raw Milk Bills Become Law Without Governor’s Signature

West Virginia Watch, News from the States - Gov. Jim Justice has allowed two bills — one restructuring the state’s unemployment benefit program and another allowing the sale of raw milk — to become law without his signature. Read the full article. Justice neither vetoed nor signed Senate Bill 841 or House Bill 4911 before…

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March 18, 2024 by Kelly Allen
‘Youth Apprenticeship Program’ Bill Raises Child Labor Concerns for Advocates

West Virginia Watch, News from the States - A bill that would create a work apprenticeship program for 11th and 12th graders in West Virginia has raised concerns it may also expose them to hazardous working environments, including roofing operations. Read the full article. House Bill 5162 would direct the state Department of Education to create a…

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March 17, 2024 by WVCBP
Students Attend Black Policy Day

Martinsburg Journal-News - On Feb. 7, hundreds of people, including 300 students, gathered for Black Policy Day at the state Capitol, in Charleston to advocate for and educate state lawmakers about communities of color. Thirty of these students represented high schools throughout Berkeley and Jefferson counties. The students were granted the opportunity to meet as…

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