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Newsletter article CAG February 25, 2019
Tell Senators to Say NO to More Money in WV Elections
Can you afford to give $2,800 to a candidate, $5,000 to a political action committee (PAC), or $10,000 to a political party? On Thursday, the Senate Judiciary Committee just passed a major campaign finance overhaul bill that would allow even more big money into a system that already favors the wealthy and special interests. SB 622 increases campaign contribution limits from $1,000 to $2,800 for candidates, to $5,000 for PACs, and to $10,000 per year for party committees. That means state and local elections that suddenly look more like the worst big-money congressional elections. More
Issues: Civil Rights, Democracy

Newsletter article CAG February 25, 2019
Teachers, Guns and Medicaid Crossover on Week 6
The 2-day teacher strike was surely the most remarkable aspect of this week at the Capitol. As the Senate was busy making the House’s (much better) version of SB 451 back into the horrible bill it started out as, teacher’s and school personnel leaders were on the Senate steps calling them all out on strike. More
Issues: Budget Priorities, Civil Rights, Families, Healthcare

Newsletter CAG February 25, 2019
Capital Eye: Vol. 12 No. 7
Wednesday the 27th is "crossover day", when all bills introduced must pass out of their house of origin or be sent to the shredder. This is a much feared and anticipated deadline and will clear a lot of bad bills off our watch list, but also kill off many of the positive efforts of ours and our allies - sigh. More
Issues: Civil Rights, Democracy, Environment, Healthcare

Newsletter CAG February 18, 2019
Capital Eye: Vol. 12 No. 6
One of the newer millennial lobbyists, who is also a poet and performer, has written a hilarious performance piece on the annual antics at the legislature, comparing it to her school days at Capitol High. This comparison fits far too often. As the session rolls along to its final days in early March, I’m reminded of “Capitol High” and smile daily. Thanks, Crystal! More
Issues: Civil Rights, Energy, Environment, Families, Healthcare

Action Alert   February 14, 2019
#PPAs4WV
Please call Senate President Mitch Carmichael at (304) 357-7801 and urge him to support the pro-jobs and pro-business Senate Bill 409 legalizing Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) for on-site renewable and alternative energy generation facilities in West Virginia. More
Issues: Energy, Energy efficiency

Advocacy Letter CAG February 12, 2019
Letter from Religious & Civic Leaders Opposing Anti-Immigrant Legislation
WV CAG joins West Virginia civic and religious leaders in standing against any laws that attack immigrants, who make our state a better place every day. We embrace the diversity immigrants bring to our state, and we reject any attempts to demonize or degrade immigrant communities in the Mountain State. We are alarmed by a by a rash of bills that have been introduced into the legislature this session targeting immigrants, and sent the following letter to House Speaker Roger Hanshaw to encourage him to do everything in his power to ensure that none of these outrageous attacks on our neighbors becomes law. More
Issues: Civil Rights, Families

Newsletter CAG February 11, 2019
Capital Eye: Vol. 12 No. 5
We're half-way through legislative session. Can you believe it?! Now that the midpoint is passed, several significant deadlines are looming for those trying to pass or kill off legislation. More
Issues: Civil Rights, Democracy, Environment, Families

Newsletter article CAG February 11, 2019
Say NO to charter schools (and other updates)!
This week, State Superintendent Steve Paine reportedly ordered the creation of a "charter school pilot" project in two predominantly Black communities in Cabell and Kanawha counties. The project would transform Mary C. Snow Elementary (in Charleston's West side neighborhood) and Spring Hill Elementary (and Huntington's Fairfield West neighborhood) into charter schools, after little or no conversation with these communities and their students, parents and educators. This announcement follows in the heels of Republicans' efforts to ram charter schools through the legislature as part of the education omnibus bill. More
Issues: Civil Rights, Families

Newsletter article   February 10, 2019
Senate Sends Water Quality Rule to the House With No Updated Health Protections
The West Virginia Senate voted Thursday to pass the water quality standards rule (SB 163) without updated protections for drinking water. Join us in thanking the 12 Senators that voted NO on the bill that did not include the updated protections. Let them know you appreciate them being champions for public health and safe drinking water. We’ll need to put even more pressure on members of the House as they begin to consider the bill. The legislature is listening and there is a still a long way to go until the bill is law. Stay engaged! More
Issues: Pollution, Water

Newsletter article CAG February 10, 2019
Half-Way There
Last Thursday was day 30 of the 60-day legislative session. It was also Environment Day (E-Day) and All Kinds Are Welcome Here Lobby Day. Meanwhile, the polluters and the bigots were busy doing their dirty work in committees and in the chambers. Now that the midpoint is passed, several significant deadlines are looming, which up the ante for those who are working to pass more progressive policies in a body with a conservative leadership. More here, on what's moving and languishing. More
Issues: Civil Rights, Energy, Environment, Families

Newsletter article CAG February 10, 2019
Calls Needed to Help Advance the Pro-Democracy, Anti-Corruption Platform
West Virginians understand the urgent need to strengthen our democracy and make our politicians work for us, not wealthy special interests. We need your help to make this a reality. Several bills have been introduced that advance the goals of the Pro-Democracy, Anti-Corruption Platform. Unfortunately, these bills are being held up in the Senate Judiciary Committee. Contact Senate Judiciary Chair Charles Trump at (304) 357-7880 and ask him to put these bills up for a vote! More
Issues: Civil Rights, Democracy

Action Alert CAG February 10, 2019
House Holding Monday Public Hearings on Ominous Education Bill & Guns on Campus
On Monday, the House of Delegates will hold two public hearings on the Omnibus Education Bill (SB 451). The House Judiciary Committee is also holding a public hearing that day on the so-called "Campus Self Defense Act," which would would force colleges to allow people to, with some exceptions, carry concealed guns on college campuses and in buildings. More here on how to weigh in on these proposals and tune in to the action. More
Issues: Civil Rights, Families, Workers

Newsletter CAG February 4, 2019
Capital Eye: Volume 12, Number 4
This week, two contentious bills were moving fast – the Ominous Education Overhaul bill and one putting foster kids into managed care organizations (MCOs). Both will get increased scrutiny as they move to the other side. More
Issues: Civil Rights, Democracy, Energy, Environment, Healthcare

Newsletter article CAG January 28, 2019
Week Three Heats Things Up
The 2019 WV Legislature now has 1,119 bills on its plate and is starting to get a heartburn that Tums won’t cure. The first three bills described below are a major source of the legislative indigestion. They cover foster care, education, and yet again, the courts. More
Issues: Civil Rights, Energy, Environment, Families

Newsletter CAG January 28, 2019
Capital Eye Vol. 12 No. 3
The 2019 WV Legislature now has 1,119 bills on its plate and is starting to get a heartburn that Tums won’t cure. Foster care, education, and courts - described below in this week's articles - are a major source of the legislative indigestion. This tends to happen when one political party has control of all three branches of government - there is no reason to compromise so there is little reasoning going into major legislation. Rather, ideology prevails. Read on to learn more and find how you can take action! More
Issues: Civil Rights, Energy, Environment

Newsletter article CAG January 27, 2019
Pro-Democracy Platform Update: Voting Rights Restoration, Court Bills Advancing
As we mentioned last week, several bills have been introduced that help advance the goals of the Pro-Democracy, Anti-Corruption Platform. Two of these bills have started to work their way through the legislative process. More details here, along with a complete list of bills we’re supporting as part of the Pro-Democracy, Anti-Corruption Platform. More
Issues: Civil Rights, Democracy

Newsletter CAG January 21, 2019
Capital Eye Vol. 12 No. 2
Week two at the legislature was a busy one. Meetings with potential bill sponsors, checking daily bills introduced (now totaling 876), monitoring committees as they take up and amend legislation. This is just the daily grind. More here on some of the good, bad, and just plain ugly bills that we’re either promoting or trying to stop here, as well as actions you can take to help end the government shutdown, protect our water and our health, and strengthen our democracy. More
Issues: Budget Priorities, Civil Rights, Democracy, Energy, Environment, Families, Healthcare

Newsletter article   January 21, 2019
Tell Lawmakers to Protect Our Health
Please call the members of the Senate Energy, Industry and Mining committee today. Tell them “to adopt the EPA-recommended human health criteria updates that strengthen our water protections!” More
Issues: Pollution, Water

Newsletter article   January 21, 2019
How You Can Help End the Government Shutdown
On Tuesday, about 50 people rallied at Senator Capito's Charleston office, asking her to "stop playing politics with our lives," end the government shutdown, and forget the border wall. Rally speakers emphasized how the shutdown does the most harm to the people who need the most support – seniors, struggling families, and kids. More here on how you can help end the shutdown. More
Issues: Budget Priorities, Inequality, Kids and families, Poverty, SNAP, Workers

Newsletter article CAG January 21, 2019
Week Two – Full to Overflowing!
Week two at the legislature was a busy one. Meetings with potential bill sponsors, checking daily bills introduced (now totaling 876), monitoring committees as they take up and amend legislation. This is just the daily grind. Then there are the special events and actions we’re co-sponsoring and/or showing up for. More about the some of these activities, and a short list of the good, bad, and just plain ugly bills that we’re either promoting or trying to stop here. More
Issues: Budget Priorities, Civil Rights, Democracy, Environment, Fair taxation, Families, Workers