Capital Eye Vol. 15 No. 5: Week Five of the WV Legislative Session

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It’s the FIFTH full week of the 2022 Legislative Session! Stay up-to-date on what’s happening under the dome by watching for our weekly Capital Eye e-blast and following us on Facebook and Twitter. Encourage your friends to stay-up-to-date, too, by signing up for our emails (you can also use this form to update your email interests).

Click on the articles below to see what’s been happening.

Bookmark our events page to keep track of upcoming events! Also, here are some additional actions you can take.

If you find this newsletter informative and valuable, please join us by becoming a supporting member of Citizen Action!

PS: Thank You for Your Support!

We work extra hard during the session to make sure our supporters have the information and contacts they need to make WV a better place for everyone. This means longer hours and more expenses for staff and materials. In addition to your policy support, your financial support is also essential. Since this Capital Eye Update goes out to everyone, we’re hoping that everyone will pitch in with a membership contribution. Thanks in advance for your support!

TAKE ACTION:

*URGENT ACTION NEEDED* – TODAY!: Tell your Delegate to Vote NO to HB2257! Don’t add an additional 10 years of provisions for people with drug offenses after they complete their sentence, including any period of parole.
Stop Classroom Censorship in WV – Write, call, or email members of the House Judiciary Committee and tell them to oppose HB 4011!
Ensure WVDEP has Adequate Oil & Gas Inspectors to Protect Our Waters!
Support SB 488 – Tell legislators it’s time to end voter disenfranchisement.
Contact House Finance Committee Members to tell them No to the “Blame the Unemployed” bills SB 2 and 3!
Protect WV Workers & Their Families from Reckless Corporate Immunity When Workers Are Killed or Injured – stop SB 252/HB 4394!
Contact the WV Senate Members and tell them to Stop HB 4007, to stop attempting to shift a higher percentage of the tax burden onto lower-earning West Virginians with cuts in the personal income tax – our wealthiest West Virginians don’t need it!
Help Create a Medicaid Buy-In for Working West Virginians
Urge legislators to repeal restrictions on abortion!

UPCOMING EVENTS:

– Feb 15th: Live Q&A: How to Claim Child Tax Credit and Earned Income Tax Credits on your taxes, at 6PM

– Feb 16th: Virtual E-DAY from 6-7:30PM, hosted by WV Environmental Council

– Feb 18th: Friday Action Hour for Voting Rights and Democracy, from 11am to noon

– Feb 22nd: Smart Justice Advocacy Day

– Feb 24th: Mid-Session Legislative Update at 7PM, hosted by WV Rivers Coalition

Downslope to March 12th
Watching the Winter Olympics on TV reminds me of the concept I have of the flow of the legislative session. Imagine it like a snowball that gets started rolling down the mountain and, as it goes on and on, it picks up more and more snow...gettng faster and faster.
Tagged: Budget Priorities, Civil Rights, Economy, Fair taxation, Families, Workers

Legislative Forecast: Week Five
This week’s forecast is primarily a news round up from various media outlets, partners, and allies on the bills we’ve been following, along with actions you can take where relevant.
Tagged: Civil Rights, Democracy, Environment, Healthcare

Medicaid Helped Her Get Back To Work – a WV Health Care Story
After gaining assistance, seeking medical treatment, and getting back on her necessary medications, Cassandra was able to get back to work, finding new employment with not just one job, but two!
Tagged: Economy, Families, Healthcare, Workers

Local Action Alert: Kanawha Co. Republican Executive Committee Blocking Early Voting Location on Charleston’s West Side
The Kanawha County Republican Executive Committee is holding up approval for an early voting location on Charleston’s West Side. The proposed location for this community voting site is the Girl Scouts of Black Diamond Council building at 321 Virginia Street West.
Tagged: Civil Rights, Democracy, Economy, Healthcare

Black Policy Day Held at State Capitol
On Friday, February 11th, a collaboration of West Virginia organizations held a series of events focused on policy issues impacting Black West Virginians. Organizers said one of the goals was to create space for West Virginians that have been historically oppressed or ignored to share their stories.
Tagged: Civil Rights, Democracy, Fair taxation

Neighbor to Neighbor Canvass a Success!
On Saturday, volunteers fanned out in five cities knocking on doors and talking to their neighbors about the need for more federal investment in WV.
Tagged: Budget Priorities, Economy, Families

Live Q&A: How to Claim Child Tax Credit and Earned Income Tax Credits on your taxes – Feb 15th @6PM
Community Change be hosting another Live Q&A with Linda Dixon, Public Affairs Specialist at the IRS on Tuesday, February 15th at 6:00 pm ET. Linda will highlight what people need to know for this tax season.
Tagged: Economy, Fair taxation, Families

Keeping your Activist Heart Happy: A Series – Part 2
This week, I want to delve a little deeper. I want to talk about our Power and our Whole Self, and Brene' Brown's interview of America Ferrera.
Tagged: Civil Rights, Democracy