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August 27, 2010 by
Another Look at West Virginia Employment

Ted pointed out that West Virginia's employment level is at its lowest point in 14 years. A closer look shows that West Virginia's employment situation has been pretty bad for decades. One measure of how well a state or region provides employment is the employment-to-population ratio or employment rate. This ratio is the number of…

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January 11, 2016 by
Limiting SNAP is Counterproductive, Won’t Boost Employment

As of January 1, the West Virginia Department of Human Resources (DHHR) has added a so-called work requirement to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Under the policy, adults aged 18 to 50 with no dependent children must participate in a work or educational activity for a monthly average of 20 hours per week in order to…

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March 23, 2020 by
Preparing for the Coronavirus Fiscal Fallout

Crises like the coronavirus outbreak create a double challenge for state governments. Demand for vital public services escalate just as the revenues to support those services take a major downturn. West Virginia is already in a tight budget situation, with resources stretched thin. Before the effects of the crisis were really felt, the state revenues…

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February 6, 2025 by
Improving West Virginia’s Competitiveness: How the Mountain State Matches Up With Our Region Where It Matters Most

West Virginia’s new governor, Patrick Morrisey, has called for a “backyard brawl” with our neighboring states to ensure West Virginia has the most competitive possible environment to attract people to our state. Up to this point, that has centered almost exclusively on cutting taxes and deregulation as a means of attracting people and businesses. While…

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October 6, 2017 by
New CFPB Rule Affirms Protections from Predatory Lenders

For Immediate Release Media Contact: Linda Frame, 304.419.1454 Yesterday the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) issued federal regulations to protect people from the abusive payday lending industry. The "PaydayFreeLandia" Coalition - a group of civil rights, labor, faith-based and community organizations from the 15 states, including West Virginia, where predatory payday lending is illegal -…

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July 31, 2018 by
Guest Blog: Social Worker Sees Value in Strengthening SNAP

West Virginia Community Engagement Program Manager Caitlin Sussman MSW, LGSW penned this guest blog for the West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy as part of its coalition efforts to protect and strengthen food assistance that is being threatened by the U.S. House Farm Bill.  As a Social Worker at a free health clinic, I…

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December 12, 2014 by
Budget Beat – December 12, 2014

Budget Breakfast: Register Today to Take Advantage of Discount! Join us for the next Budget Breakfast on Wednesday, January 21 at the Four Points Sheraton, downtown Charleston. Please register by 12/31/14 to get the Early Bird discount!   Join Us to Announce the 2015 Our Children Our Future Platform Monday's forecast is beautiful! Join us…

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October 3, 2019 by
WV Statewide Census Coalition Launches Awareness Campaign on Monday

For Immediate Release CountMeInWV Coalition: Jennifer Wells, 304.617.9591 WV Statewide Census Coalition Launches Awareness Campaign on Monday Charleston, WV - The 2020 United States Census is just around the corner, and a statewide coalition of community-based, professional, service and advocacy organizations is launching a grassroots campaign to ensure that every West Virginia is counted. The…

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April 30, 2020 by
Low-income Earners, Women and Workers of Color First Back to Work under Governor’s Plan

Earlier this week, Governor Jim Justice unveiled his plan for reopening West Virginia’s businesses, dubbed “The Comeback”. Among the businesses slated to open first under his plan are day care centers, restaurants, and professional services including hair and nail salons. West Virginians who work in these sectors will be among the first back to work…

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