WVCBP in the News

March 22, 2021 by WVCBP
Report: Addiction Cost West Virginia Estimated $11B in 2019

WV News, Martinsburg Journal-News, Keyser Mineral Daily News Tribune - Treating and addressing drug addiction cost West Virginia an estimated $11.3 billion in one year, according to a new report from the Center on Budget and Policy. Read the full article. The report, written by economist Jill Kriesky, says the state spent that much in…

Read More
March 22, 2021 by WVCBP
Report: Addiction Epidemic Cost WV $11.3 Billion in 2019

Huntington Herald-Dispatch, Charleston-Gazette - A new report from the West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy has estimated the addiction epidemic cost the state $11.3 billion in 2019 alone. Read the full article. The report, written by economist Jill Kriesky, examines the dollars spent on treating and addressing the diverse array of harms that stem…

Read More
March 20, 2021 by WVCBP
Meredith Hartery, Collen Harshbarger: Equal Pay for Women in WV Essential

Charleston Gazette-Mail - March 24, 2021 is Equal Pay Day, the day when women and men around the country recognize the wage gap between working women and men and offer remedies to address pay inequity. Read the full op-ed. In West Virginia, women are paid, on average, 74 cents for every dollar their male counterparts…

Read More
March 20, 2021 by WVCBP
State Senate Ignores Science, Experts, Research

Beckley Register-Herald - The state Senate, despite overwhelming evidence and expert testimony from doctors and public health officials begging them to avoid a certain crisis on our streets and back alleys, passed a bill this past week that places greater restrictions on community syringe exchange programs. read the full op-ed. Why? Because of tired and…

Read More
March 18, 2021 by Kelly Allen
Senate Considers Resolution that Could Result in Personal Property Tax Cuts

West Virginia MetroNews - The state Senate is considering a resolution that could allow lawmakers to lower personal property taxes, particularly on vehicles. Read the full article. The Senate Judiciary Committee approved the resolution Thursday after about an hour of discussion, and it will now be considered by the Senate Finance Committee. If both houses of the…

Read More
March 17, 2021 by Kelly Allen
Senate Passes ESAs Bill, Governor Lets Teacher Strike Bill Be Law Without Signature

West Virginia MetroNews - Both houses of the Legislature have passed a bill that would divert dollars for students leaving public schools for private school or homeschooling. Read the full article. And the governor let go into law without his signature a bill clarifying that strikes against the state by public employees including educators are unlawful. The…

Read More
March 16, 2021 by WVCBP
LETTER: Enhance the Community Development School Pilot Program

Charleston Gazette-Mail - I’ve been following the governor and Legislature’s 2021 mind-numbing attempts to force West Virginia’s laws and constitution to waste money, crush public education, poison our water and generally make life more difficult for those already suffering from poverty and systemic racism. Read the full letter to the editor. I couldn’t agree more…

Read More
March 15, 2021 by Sean O'Leary
Legislative Oversight and Revenue Shortfalls: Controversy Continues to Surround Justice’s CARES Act Plans

Mountain State Spotlight, West Virginia Public Broadcasting - So far, Gov. Jim Justice has been the sole authority spending the $1.25 billion West Virginia received in federal coronavirus relief. Read the full article. Advocates have argued that he hasn’t spent enough of it to address the immediate needs of West Virginians facing the COVID-19 pandemic’s economic…

Read More