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Action Alert   April 3, 2018
Healthcare Town Hall – Find Out Where the Candidates Stand
This Thursday you'll have the opportunity to learn how the candidates who want to represent to represent us in Congress plan to fix our broken healthcare system. All candidates for Congress from WV's 2nd district and U.S. Senate have been invited to a Congressional Candidate Healthcare Town Hall. More details here. We hope to see you there. More
Issues: HealthcareMedicare
Newsletter article CAG March 16, 2018
Redistricting Reform Stalls; Election Transparency Fails to Advance
Unfortunately, the two election related bills we most wanted to see pass this session failed to reach the Governor’s desk. A bill to reform the redistricting process – the redrawing of the boundaries of legislative and congressional districts – made significant progress before stalling in the House of Delegates. While a bill to improve election transparency and strengthen disclosure of political spending was never taken up by its assigned committee. Here's is a summary of what happened with these, other election, and ethics bills during the 2018 legislative session. More
Issues: Civil RightsDemocracyFamilies
Newsletter CAG March 16, 2018
Capital Eye Vol. 11 No. 9 – 2018 Legislative Wrap-Up
The 2018 legislative session is FINALLY over, and this is our wrap-up edition of the Capital Eye. Of the 1,778 bills introduced, 260 made it through the sausage grinder to the other end. They all will be signed, ignored by the governor (and become law without his signature), or vetoed. We’re asking him to veto two of them (we’d prefer he veto scores but that’s not going to happen), so read on for why, and make your calls if so moved. A big THANK YOU to all who came to the Capitol, sent emails, and/or made calls on important legislation, and sent in donations of support. As we pivot to federal issues and work to make sure that voters ‘Remember in November’ we hope you can join us for one or more upcoming events. More
Issues: Civil RightsDemocracyEconomyEnvironmentFamiliesHealthcareWorkers
Newsletter article   March 16, 2018
Water Policy Update
Several bad bills that would have been harmful to water quality and the environment, died this legislative session thanks to the efforts of our friends at the WV Rivers Coalition (WVRC) and the WV Environmental Council (WVEC). Two bills passed that our allies were able to secure improvements to. Read more here, then check out the legislative wrap-ups from WVRC and WVEC. More
Issues: PollutionWater
Newsletter article CAG March 16, 2018
Two Constitutional Amendments Headed for the Ballot in November
During the 2018 legislative session, legislators approved resolutions putting two proposed constitutional amendments on the November 6 general election ballot. On the final night of the session, the House and Senate agreed to a compromise version of SJR 3, the Judicial Budget Oversight Amendment, which would amend the state constitution to give the Legislature oversight of the judiciary’s budget. In addition to SJR 3, the Legislature also approved another proposed constitutional amendment (SJR 12) that is being deceptively explained as an effort to take away Medicaid funding for abortion, but which aims to take away reproductive rights for women more broadly. More
Issues: Budget PrioritiesCivil RightsDemocracyHealthcare
Newsletter article Gary Zuckett March 16, 2018
2018 Legislative Wrap-Up
The 2018 legislative session is FINALLY over, and this is our wrap-up edition. In this article: A Strike and Two Vetoes?, 5% Raise and PEIA Task Force Reopen Schools, Collateral Damage, Timber Bill Cut Down, SB 600 = Tons of BS, Regulation Two-Fer, Guns-R-Us, Cannabis Sabotage, and Another Shade of Green. More
Issues: EnergyHealthcareKids and familiesPollutionWorkers
Action Alert   March 13, 2018
Tell Governor Justice: Don’t Let People Go Hungry, Veto HB 4001
A some what watered down version of HB 4001, which would further restrict access to food assistance (SNAP) by imposing work requirements on certain recipients, passed both houses of the legislature close to midnight on the final day of the session. This is still a bad bill that hurts vulnerable people and we need to urge Governor Justice for a veto. Please contact Governor Justice today and tell him not to let people go hungry. Tell him to veto HB 4001. Governor’s Office Phone: (304) 558-2000 or 1-(888)-438-2731 More
Issues: InequalityPovertySNAP
Action Alert CAG March 12, 2018
Tell Governor Justice to Veto HB 4006
The same day the Governor signed the bill to provide pay raises for  teachers and public employees, shady deals started happening under the dome. Late that night, the Senate Education Committee advanced a bill to eliminate the Department of Education and the Arts (HB 4006). The approved the bill on Friday, and, on Saturday, the House agreed to the Senate's amended version of HB 4006, sending the bill to Governor Justice for his signature or veto. The bill puts programs like AmeriCorps and Energy Express in jeopardy. These programs, our children, and our people are too important to gamble with for partisan and personal politics. Please contact Governor Justice today and tell him to veto HB 4006.  More
Issues: Civil RightsFamilies
Action Alert CAG March 7, 2018
Tell Senators to Vote NO on SNAP Work Requirements
The Senate Health and Human Resources Committee is moving forward with consideration of a bill (HB 4001) that  would further restrict access to food assistance (SNAP). HB 4001 would implement work requirements in some of the state's poorest counties, and will only replicate the failures of the state’s nine-county pilot project which enacted a work requirement for SNAP that failed to boost employment but succeeded in lowering enrollment. Please contact members of the Senate Health Committee and your Senators and tell them to vote NO on HB 4001. More
Issues: Budget PrioritiesDemocracyEconomyFamilies
Advocacy Letter   March 7, 2018
Letter to Senator Capito Regarding Short-Term Limited-Duration Policies
WV CAG joined other advocacy organizations in sending a letter to Senator Capito regarding short-term limited-duration policies and their impact on insurance coverage, premiums, and federal spending. According to a report by the Urban Institute, as a result of repealing the individual mandate and expanding access to these so-called “short-term” plans, premiums will increase, and millions of people will lose access to comprehensive coverage, or lose coverage altogether. West Virginians cannot afford this scheme. We need Senator Capito to stand up for our state and stop the never-ending war on health care. More
Issues: Healthcare
Action Alert   March 5, 2018
Most E-Day Events Cancelled for Tomorrow, GREEN Jam Still On
The WV Environmental Council has made the decision to cancel E-Day tabling and speakers due to the ongoing teachers' strike. Today saw the largest crowds yet, and at one point the Capitol was closed to further visitors due to capacity concerns by Capitol Police and the State Fire Marshall. This is unprecedented. Of course folks are still welcome to come to the Capitol to lobby their legislators. If you decide to make the trip, arrive early if you can and be prepared to wait in line for at least and hour to get into the building. If you don't want to brave the crowds, the GREEN Jam will still be taking place at the Empty Glass starting at 4:30pm.   More
Newsletter CAG March 4, 2018
Capital Eye Vol. 11 No. 8
This week, teachers filled the galleries, halls and rotunda of the Capitol, and parents and teachers rallied in support, as the Governor came out of hiding and tried to negotiate an end to the teachers’ strike that has garnered national attention. As we head into the home stretch, the strike continues as a result of the Senate's rejection of the 5% pay raise agreed to by the Governor and approved by the House.  The 2018 legislative session ends at midnight, Saturday, March 10. We can’t wait for the carnage to be over! In the meantime, keep reading for further updates and actions you can take now, and keep an eye out for other critical updates this week. More
Issues: Budget PrioritiesCivil RightsDemocracyEconomyEnergyFamiliesHealthcareWorkers
Newsletter article Julie Archer March 4, 2018
“Co-Tenancy” Bill Passes Senate, Bills to Help Those Affected By Drilling Die in Committee
The “co-tenancy” bill (HB 4268) has now passed the Senate unchanged. In other news, the Senate unanimously passed SB 360, which would change the way royalties are calculated for flat-rate leases. Unfortunately, most of the bills that were a priority for WV-SORO this legislative session are dead because they were not taken up by their assigned committees and sent to the floor in time to meet yesterday’s deadline (often referred to as Crossover Day) for bills to be out of the house of origin. More
Issues: EnergyFrackingPollution
Newsletter article CAG March 4, 2018
You, Too, Can Follow the Money
It's a rare day when a committee hearing on a bill before the West Virginia state house makes it into the New York Times and Fox News. In what is now likely a familiar story to most reading this, Lissa Lucas was escorted from the House chamber after being called out of order for reading a list of donations that each of the committee members had taken from interests that stood to benefit from the bill before the committee. Lucas is a candidate running for a House seat in this election, but you don't have to be running for office to get access to the information on campaign donors— you can do it too. Unfortunately, there is a big hole in the information available to the public, and it’s called dark money. West Virginia can and should do better at disclosing these secret and unaccountable sources of political influence, but in the meantime, try out one of these easy tools and take a look at the wealth of information they have on your legislators’ campaign donations. More
Issues: Civil RightsDemocracyEconomy
Newsletter article CAG March 4, 2018
As Redistricting Bill Dies in the House, Commission Proposal Considered in Senate Judiciary Committee
HB 2383, which would specify factors that can (and cannot) consider in the redistricting process, failed to advance before Crossover Day (the deadline for bills to be out of the house of origin). The next day the Senate Judiciary Committee took up a bill (HB 4002) passed by the House of Delegates earlier in the session mandating that the House go to 100 single delegate districts after the 2020 census. In an interesting twist, Senator Stephen Baldwin (D-Greenbrier) offered and amendment to HB 4002 that would incorporate the provisions of a Senate bill (SB 54), a bill he co-sponsored with Senate Judiciary Chair Charles Trump (R-Morgan) and others, which would establish an independent commission to propose redistricting plans. Read more here. More
Issues: Civil RightsDemocracy
Newsletter article Alexandra Gallo March 4, 2018
The ACA, Medicaid, & Medicare Are Under Attack, AGAIN: We Need Your Help
We need your help! The Affordable Care Act (ACA), Medicaid and Medicare are under attack...AGAIN! With trillions of dollars going to tax breaks for the most wealthy Americans and corporations, funding will be taken away from critical healthcare programs! We are looking for your stories to share with the public about how and why these cuts would effect you, your family, or someone you know! While we fight to protect these important programs, we continue to work for solutions to our healthcare crisis. Join us at one of these upcoming healthcare forums to learn more about how our healthcare system got so complicated, why it’s under attack and what we can do about it. More
Issues: HealthcareKids and familiesMedicare
Newsletter article CAG March 4, 2018
Judicial Budget Oversight Amendment Advances; Fate of Intermediate Court Bill Uncertain
After clearing the House Finance Committee earlier in the week, (SJR 3), which would amend the state constitution to give the Legislature oversight of the judiciary’s budget was taken up and passed by the House Judiciary Committee. However, instead of accepting the proposed amendment passed by the Senate, the Committee included a procedural safeguard of requiring a super-majority (two-thirds) vote of the Legislature to reduce the judiciary’s budget by more than ten percent from the previous fiscal year. Meanwhile, the fate of the intermediate court bill is uncertain. Tell your legislators not to waste millions on an intermediate court we don’t need, and vote NO on SB 341. More
Issues: Budget PrioritiesCivil Rights
Newsletter article Julie Archer March 4, 2018
Act Now: Anti-Abortion Ballot Measure Up for Final Vote Monday in the House
Yesterday, hundreds of people rallied on the steps of the Capitol to oppose SJR 12, a proposed constitutional amendment that is being deceptively explained as an effort to take away Medicaid funding for abortion, but which aims to take away reproductive rights for women more broadly. This extreme measure is up for a final vote in the House tomorrow. Act now! Contact your Delegate(s) and tell them to vote NO on SJR 12! More
Issues: HealthcareInequality
Newsletter article Gary Zuckett March 4, 2018
Teachers’ Strike Continues As We Enter the Final Week of the Session
In this article: Teachers' Strike Continues, Paycheck Deception Checked (for Now), Textbook Wars Anyone?, Medical Cannabis Act Improvements Continued, Big Win on Your Electric Bill!, State Parks Get Logging Reprieve, Hunger Games Still SNAPpening, Guns on Campus Nixed - OK'd at Work!?, Eliminating Education and the Arts, Killing Two Rules with a New One?, and Home Stretch Approaching More
Issues: HealthcareKids and familiesOur children our futurePovertySNAPWorkers
Action Alert   February 28, 2018
WV Senate rejects SB 600
THANK YOU! In another victory for ratepayers, Senate Bill 600 failed to get a majority vote today in Charleston. While the bill was rejected, we know that the utilities are fighting for it and we don’t want to see SB 600 reconsidered today or tomorrow. More
Issues: EnergyInequality
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