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Press Release April 17, 2018
New ‘Tax Day’ Study Reports on How Tax Law Enriches Corporations, Wealthy While Putting Health Care, Public Services at Risk
Today, WV Citizen Action released a new report by Americans for Tax Fairness and Health Care for America Now detailing the affects of the tax cut package on families in West Virginia and compares that with the tax benefits that health insurance companies and prescription drug manufacturers receive under the same law. Read the full report and highlights here. More
Issues: Fair taxation, Healthcare, Inequality, Kids and families, Medicare, SNAP, Social security
New ‘Tax Day’ Study Reports on How Tax Law Enriches Corporations, Wealthy While Putting Health Care, Public Services at Risk
Today, WV Citizen Action released a new report by Americans for Tax Fairness and Health Care for America Now detailing the affects of the tax cut package on families in West Virginia and compares that with the tax benefits that health insurance companies and prescription drug manufacturers receive under the same law. Read the full report and highlights here. More
Issues: Fair taxation, Healthcare, Inequality, Kids and families, Medicare, SNAP, Social security
Action Alert April 12, 2018
Be Registered & Be Ready to Vote
With many important races on the ballot this year, it’s important to make sure you’re registered to vote and ready to vote. This means making sure you have your ID, informing yourself about the issues and candidates, and last but not least, getting yourself to the polls. If you want to vote in the May 8th Primary it's easy to register to vote, update or confirm your registration online. When you go to the polls, remember West Virginia's new voter ID law is now in effect and everyone must show some form of ID when then go to the polls. More details and helpful links here. #GoVoteWV. More
Be Registered & Be Ready to Vote
With many important races on the ballot this year, it’s important to make sure you’re registered to vote and ready to vote. This means making sure you have your ID, informing yourself about the issues and candidates, and last but not least, getting yourself to the polls. If you want to vote in the May 8th Primary it's easy to register to vote, update or confirm your registration online. When you go to the polls, remember West Virginia's new voter ID law is now in effect and everyone must show some form of ID when then go to the polls. More details and helpful links here. #GoVoteWV. More
Action Alert April 9, 2018
Save the Date for WV CAG’s Awards Dinner & Fundraiser
On Friday, June 1, we are hosting our annual awards dinner and fundraiser at the Charleston Woman’s Club. We hope you can join us! In honor of Paul Nyden, long-time Charleston Gazette investigative reporter who passed away earlier this year, we are dedicating, the Paul Nyden and Don Marsh Public Service Award, which recognizes a lifetime commitment to truth, justice, and service in the public interest. Cathy Kunkel will be the first recipient of this newly dedicated award. In addition to celebrating the accomplishments of our awardees, this is a great opportunity to lift up the great work we all have been doing over this past year -- oh, and have a little fun, too! More details here. More
Save the Date for WV CAG’s Awards Dinner & Fundraiser
On Friday, June 1, we are hosting our annual awards dinner and fundraiser at the Charleston Woman’s Club. We hope you can join us! In honor of Paul Nyden, long-time Charleston Gazette investigative reporter who passed away earlier this year, we are dedicating, the Paul Nyden and Don Marsh Public Service Award, which recognizes a lifetime commitment to truth, justice, and service in the public interest. Cathy Kunkel will be the first recipient of this newly dedicated award. In addition to celebrating the accomplishments of our awardees, this is a great opportunity to lift up the great work we all have been doing over this past year -- oh, and have a little fun, too! More details here. More
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: Healthcare, Medicare
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: Healthcare, Medicare
Newsletter 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: Clean elections, Healthcare, Kids and families, Pollution, Poverty, Water, Workers
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: Clean elections, Healthcare, Kids and families, Pollution, Poverty, Water, Workers
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: Pollution, Water
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: Pollution, Water
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: Inequality, Poverty, SNAP
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: Inequality, Poverty, SNAP
Action Alert 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: Education, Kids and families
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: Education, Kids and families
Action Alert 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: Inequality, Kids and families, Poverty, SNAP
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: Inequality, Kids and families, Poverty, SNAP
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
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
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 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 priorities, Civil Justice, Clean elections, Energy, Healthcare, Poverty, Workers
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 priorities, Civil Justice, Clean elections, Energy, Healthcare, Poverty, Workers
Newsletter article 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: Clean elections
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: Clean elections
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: Energy, Inequality
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: Energy, Inequality
Newsletter February 26, 2018
Capital Eye Vol. 11 No. 7
Last week was Strike Week at the Legislature, with Thursday and Friday being Day 1 and 2 of a statewide walkout by teachers and school service personnel demanding better wages and a permanent fix to PEIA. On Thursday, more than 5,000 people entered the Capitol through two public access points, with equally large crowds gathering on subsequent days of the ongoing strike. Despite the presence of thousands of outraged teachers and state employees and more pressing issues to deal with, the "bad idea factory" keeps churning undeterred. More
Issues: Budget priorities, Clean elections, Discrimination, Education, Energy, Healthcare, Kids and families, Our children our future, Poverty, SNAP, Workers
Capital Eye Vol. 11 No. 7
Last week was Strike Week at the Legislature, with Thursday and Friday being Day 1 and 2 of a statewide walkout by teachers and school service personnel demanding better wages and a permanent fix to PEIA. On Thursday, more than 5,000 people entered the Capitol through two public access points, with equally large crowds gathering on subsequent days of the ongoing strike. Despite the presence of thousands of outraged teachers and state employees and more pressing issues to deal with, the "bad idea factory" keeps churning undeterred. More
Issues: Budget priorities, Clean elections, Discrimination, Education, Energy, Healthcare, Kids and families, Our children our future, Poverty, SNAP, Workers
Newsletter article February 26, 2018
Tell Your Delegate: A Tiny Minority Doesn’t Get to Decide My Rights
West Virginia made headlines in 2016 for passing more LGBTQ-inclusive nondiscrimination ordinances than any other state. But a bill making its way through the state Legislature is designed to stop our march toward fairness and equality in its tracks. HB 4158 empowers the fringe to upend protections for real people. Please take action today! This bill is moving fast. More
Issues: Discrimination, Inequality
Tell Your Delegate: A Tiny Minority Doesn’t Get to Decide My Rights
West Virginia made headlines in 2016 for passing more LGBTQ-inclusive nondiscrimination ordinances than any other state. But a bill making its way through the state Legislature is designed to stop our march toward fairness and equality in its tracks. HB 4158 empowers the fringe to upend protections for real people. Please take action today! This bill is moving fast. More
Issues: Discrimination, Inequality
Action Alert February 25, 2018
We Need Real Solutions to the Healthcare Crisis
Healthcare is shaping up to be a major issue in the 2018 elections. More and more West Virginians are struggling to afford healthcare, and Congress is taking us in the wrong direction with threatened cuts to crucial programs like Medicare and Medicaid. Join us at one of two upcoming healthcare forums to learn more about how our healthcare system got so complicated, why it's under attack and what we can do in 2018 to push for real solutions to the healthcare crisis. More
Issues: Healthcare, Medicare
We Need Real Solutions to the Healthcare Crisis
Healthcare is shaping up to be a major issue in the 2018 elections. More and more West Virginians are struggling to afford healthcare, and Congress is taking us in the wrong direction with threatened cuts to crucial programs like Medicare and Medicaid. Join us at one of two upcoming healthcare forums to learn more about how our healthcare system got so complicated, why it's under attack and what we can do in 2018 to push for real solutions to the healthcare crisis. More
Issues: Healthcare, Medicare
Action Alert February 25, 2018
SB 600: Handouts to Industry at the Expense of the Rest of Us
SB 600 offers discounted electric rates to industrial users and manufacturers whose rates, like everyone’s, have continued to skyrocket in the past few years. However, someone is going to have to make up the cost of these discounts and, it’s not going to be the utility shareholders. The bill is on the fast track, having cleared two Senate committees in two days, and is now on the Senate floor where it will be up for a final vote on Tuesday. Call or email your Senators now and ask them to oppose SB 600. Tell them not to give manufacturers a discount on their electric bills at the expense of the rest of us. More
Issues: Energy
SB 600: Handouts to Industry at the Expense of the Rest of Us
SB 600 offers discounted electric rates to industrial users and manufacturers whose rates, like everyone’s, have continued to skyrocket in the past few years. However, someone is going to have to make up the cost of these discounts and, it’s not going to be the utility shareholders. The bill is on the fast track, having cleared two Senate committees in two days, and is now on the Senate floor where it will be up for a final vote on Tuesday. Call or email your Senators now and ask them to oppose SB 600. Tell them not to give manufacturers a discount on their electric bills at the expense of the rest of us. More
Issues: Energy
Action Alert February 21, 2018
Ask the House Finance Committee to Pass the LEEP Act
Great news! We're one step closer to growing energy efficiency jobs in West Virginia. On Tuesday, the House Energy Committee approved HB 2534, the Local Energy Efficiency Partnership (LEEP) Act. Please email Finance committee members and ask them to approve the bill and send it to the full House for a vote. More
Issues: Energy, Energy efficiency
Ask the House Finance Committee to Pass the LEEP Act
Great news! We're one step closer to growing energy efficiency jobs in West Virginia. On Tuesday, the House Energy Committee approved HB 2534, the Local Energy Efficiency Partnership (LEEP) Act. Please email Finance committee members and ask them to approve the bill and send it to the full House for a vote. More
Issues: Energy, Energy efficiency
Newsletter February 18, 2018
Capital Eye Vol. 11 No. 6
Week six of the 2018 legislative session kicked off with a public hearing on a bill to restrict access to food assistance (SNAP) and other vital safety net programs, and wrapped up with thousands of teachers filling the halls of the Capitol to demand better pay and a fix for PEIA. Read more about the status of these and other proposals including campus carry, co-tenancy, and bills to reshape our judicial system; and actions you can take to support redistricting reform and energy efficiency, and oppose logging in our state parks. More
Issues: Budget priorities, Civil Justice, Education, Energy, Energy efficiency, Inequality, Kids and families, Poverty, SNAP, Sustainability, Workers
Capital Eye Vol. 11 No. 6
Week six of the 2018 legislative session kicked off with a public hearing on a bill to restrict access to food assistance (SNAP) and other vital safety net programs, and wrapped up with thousands of teachers filling the halls of the Capitol to demand better pay and a fix for PEIA. Read more about the status of these and other proposals including campus carry, co-tenancy, and bills to reshape our judicial system; and actions you can take to support redistricting reform and energy efficiency, and oppose logging in our state parks. More
Issues: Budget priorities, Civil Justice, Education, Energy, Energy efficiency, Inequality, Kids and families, Poverty, SNAP, Sustainability, Workers
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