WV Citizen Action Group Blog

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Citizen Action Group Blog   March 17, 2023
Public Meeting to Raise Awareness About Leaking Abandoned Gas Wells Impacting Several Areas of Charleston
On Monday, March 20 at 6:30 p.m, a public meeting and panel discussion will help raise awareness about the dangers of leaking abandoned gas wells negatively impacting residents served by the Elk River, including the Rutledge and Crouch Hollow Mountain areas of Charleston, West Virginia. More
Issues: Gas Wells, Oil and Gas, Pollution, water quality

Citizen Action Group Blog   March 17, 2023
That’s a Wrap! 2023 Leading for Justice Legislative Recap
The 2023 legislative session wrapped up last Saturday, and not a moment too soon. It can be best summarized that we had great victories for healing justice, both advancing proactive policies to reduce the footprint of the criminal legal system, and stopping a bevy of bills that would create or enhance penalties. Here's a rundown of the wins, the ones that got away, plus economic justice wins/losses more broadly, as well as some upcoming events, volunteer opportunities, and ways to take action. More
Issues: Criminal Justice, Inequality

Citizen Action Group Blog   February 28, 2023
No Exceptions
This commentary dialogue was submitted by WV CAG member Bettijane Burger. Burger is a retired teacher and a former president of the WV National Organization for Women. More
Issues: Reproductive Justice

Citizen Action Group Blog Gary Zuckett February 1, 2023
Regal Apt Fire Fundraiser – Feb 11th, 6PM
Join friends and neighbors to raise support for community members recovering from the Regal apt fire. This fundraiser event will be located at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 520 Kanawha Blvd W, Charleston, WV and will include a potluck dinner, raffle, and a 'cake walk'. More
Issues: Fundraiser

Citizen Action Group Blog Gary Zuckett January 29, 2023
Guns in Schools
The WV Legislature's solution to gun violence: arm more ‘good guys’ to engage in shootouts when a gunman shows up at one of our schools or colleges. More
Issues: Education, Gun Safety, Gun Violence

Citizen Action Group Blog Dani Parent January 23, 2023
Climate Eye – Week 2
Updates on what's happening with legislation to address PFAS contamination, expand community solar, develop energy projects on and under state-owned lands, and increase legislative oversight of the Public Service Commission. More
Issues: Energy, Environment, Pollution, Water

Citizen Action Group Blog Julie Archer January 23, 2023
Much Ado About Elections, and More
Ten days into the 2023 legislative, more than 50 bills related to elections have been introduced. Two have traction, and action is needed to keep HB 2244 off the House Judiciary Committee agenda. Related to elections, we would be remiss if we didn’t acknowledge Saturday's anniversary of the US Supreme Court’s devastating Citizens United decsion, the role of dark money in shifting the balance of the Court to the right, and it's impact on our fundamental rights. More
Issues: Democracy, Discrimination, Fair Courts, Health Care, Inequality, Voting Rights

Citizen Action Group Blog Gary Zuckett January 23, 2023
Battle of the Tax Cuts
The House quickly passed the governor’s bad idea of eliminating one quarter of our state’s annual revenue by cutting 50% off personal income taxes over the next three years. However, Senate leadership has deemed HB 2526 DOA and, not to be outdone, they’re cooking up their own tax cuts. Regardless of how the Legislature lands on these cuts, regular West Virginians lose. Now is the time to make your voice heard on this lose-lose proposition! More
Issues: Budget priorities, Fair taxation, Kids and families

Citizen Action Group Blog   January 23, 2023
Health Care Bills to Keep an Eye On
WV-CAG and our partners in the Health Care for All-WV coalition are excited to share the news that the insulin and diabetic supplies bill (HB 2430) was introduced in the House. Another bill that could strengthen the health of West Virginians (SB 269) by raising the Medicaid Dental Benefit from $1,000 to $2,000 a year for adult recipients has advanced in the Senate. And we expect the Affordable Medicaid Buy-In bill to be introduced this week. More details here. More
Issues: Health Care, Medicaid, Prescription Drug Prices

Citizen Action Group Blog Julie Archer January 15, 2023
WV NAACP Day at the Legislature: Shifting the Narrative on MLK, Jr. Day
This Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, advocates and supporters are working to reframe the King Day narrative and focus on the power of healing and called for action on policies to reduce West Virginia’s disparities. More on shifting the King Day narrative here from Rev. Ron English, President of the Charleston Branch of the NAACP. More
Issues: Discrimination, Health Care, Inequality, Poverty

Citizen Action Group Blog Julie Archer January 15, 2023
Advocates Call for Local & Legislative Action, Funding for Community Support Services to Address School Suspension Disparities
The impact of school discipline “falls heavily on the most marginalized, and the poorest people. And the cycle will be perpetuated until we come together and figure out how to address it today.” This Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, lets lift our collective voices to call on lawmakers to address inequities in school discipline, and to advocate for just, fair and equitable allocation of ARPA funds to help our most vulnerable. More
Issues: Discrimination, Education, Inequality, Kids and families

Citizen Action Group Blog Julie Archer January 13, 2023
“Leading with Justice” Legislative Breakfast and Day of Action
On Wednesday, January 11th, the West Virginia Criminal Law Reform Coalition, a group of West Virginia-based organizations partnering in pursuit of systemic changes to the state's criminal legal system, hosted a "Leading for Justice" legislative breakfast and day of action to bring awareness to the issues constituents hope to see addressed during the 2023 legislative session.  More
Issues: Civil Justice, Health Care, Voting Rights

Citizen Action Group Blog Eve Marcum-Atkinson January 12, 2023
NAACP and others deliver an address on the “State of WV Children and Families”
In response to the Governor's State of the State address, groups gathered at the capitol to speak on the budget, and how the status quo is hurting WV children and families. More
Issues: Budget priorities, Fair taxation, Inequality, Kids and families, Poverty, WV Legislature

Citizen Action Group Blog, Press Release Gary Zuckett January 12, 2023
Governor’s State of State presented through ‘Rose Colored Glasses’
Governor’s State of State presented through ‘Rose Colored Glasses’ - Part pep rally, part campaign opener for a potential US Senate run in 2024, Governor Jim Justice presented a rosy picture of his tenure as CEO of West Virginia and our future prospects. More
Issues: Inequality, Kids and families, Working Families

Citizen Action Group Blog Eve Marcum-Atkinson November 15, 2022
PRESS RELEASE: Biden-Harris Administration Announces $250 Million to Finance Energy Efficiency Upgrades For American Families And Businesses
The Biden-Harris Administration, through the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), today announced it is accepting applications from all 50 states, five U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia for $250 million in formula funding through the Energy Efficiency Revolving Loan Fund Capitalization Grant Program. More
Issues: Clean Energy, Energy efficiency

Citizen Action Group Blog Gary Zuckett November 14, 2022
Letter to Sen. Manchin & Capito: 17 WV orgs share strong support for prioritizing extension of the expanded Child Tax Credit and Earned Income Tax Credit as part of any year-end budget deal
17 organizations in West Virginia have shared with Senators Manchin and Capito their strong support for prioritizing extension the expanded Child Tax Credit and Earned Income Tax Credit as part of any year-end budget deal. More
Issues: CTC, Kids and families, Taxes

Citizen Action Group Blog CAG November 14, 2022
HEALTH CARE ADVOCATES RISK ARREST TO TAKEOVER ELEVANCE HEALTH HQ & DEMAND CARE
Elevance Denies Medically Necessary Care; Profited $2.3 Billion in Grotesque Q3 Earnings Report More
Issues: Health Care, Healthcare

Citizen Action Group Blog Julie Archer October 31, 2022
Don’t Ghost the Election. Make Your Plan to Vote
Make a plan to vote and bring your boo! Then join us and our partners in the WV Civic Engagement table to call and text fellow West Virginians to get out and vote in the 2022 election.  More
Issues: Democracy, Elections, Voting

Citizen Action Group Blog Julie Archer October 24, 2022
Much At Stake With Proposed Constitutional Amendments
In addition to the congressional, legislative, county and local elected offices that will appear on the ballot this November, voters must also consider four separate amendments to the state’s constitution. Here’s a refresher on what’s at stake with these proposed changes to the West Virginia Constitution.  More
Issues: Budget priorities, Elections, Fair Courts, Fair taxation, Taxes, Voting