Potholes, A Budget for the People, and Grassroots Gatherings

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The Memorial Day weekend is almost here, and it’s time to honor the sacrifice of our fallen, get together with family, and enjoy community activities. With that in mind, we wanted to give you all an update before we’re all busy with the long weekend.

First up, we’ve got a unique request for you.

Potholes and Rickety Bridges Got You Frustrated? Tell us about it!

We’re working with some of our national partners and friends to bring some attention to the increasingly urgent and significant infrastructure crisis we have in this country, particularly here in the mountain state. To that end, we need YOU!

Do you have a major state/federal road you hate to drive for fear it’ll tear your car up? Take a picture or maybe tell us about your car repair bill.

Is there a bridge making you worry every time you drive over it? Tell us about it.

Is your water constantly under a boil water advisory from a main break every other week? Show us your bottle of dirty tap water!

Is your city’s wastewater system in such disrepair it can’t even handle a moderate rainstorm without ponding and closed roads? All of these things and more would be incredibly helpful to us. We can share as much or as little with the public as you’re willing to.

If you have anything you think might fit the bill, know someone who does, or just aren’t sure, don’t hesitate to contact our Outreach Coordinator Valerie Woody via phone (304) 690-3633 or email (valerie@wvcag.org) as soon as possible. We have only a couple of days before we need to finalize our materials so don’t wait!

From our Friends at Protect WV:

Your actions are making a difference!

A week ago, a plan to give massive tax cuts to the rich at the expense of working West Virginians seemed inevitable. But then you helped us push forward a Simple Plan that would close the gap, balance the budget, and share the load. Days later, the House of Delegates passed a version of the Simple Plan that wasn’t perfect, but it did not include income tax cuts for the wealthy. The next major step will be a “conference committee” which will attempt to reconcile the House’s Simple Plan with the Senate’s “tax cuts for the rich” plan.

We need you again.

Reach out to lawmakers and ask them to support the Simple Plan that does not include tax cuts for the wealthy or major cuts to public education and health services.

Tax cuts for the wealthy don’t solve West Virginia’s budget problems. We need a budget that doesn’t kick the can down the road and puts our communities ahead of tax cuts for the wealthy.

Governor Jim Justice: (304)558-2000

Senate President Mitch Carmichael: (304)357-7801
House of Delegates Speaker Tim Armstead: (304)340-3210
Senate Minority Leader Roman Prezioso: (304)357-7961

House Minority Leader Tim Miley: (304)340-3240

It is up to us to Protect West Virginia!

Protect West Virginia is a grassroots coalition of more than 300 individuals and 30 organizations who oppose further budget cuts that harm our communities and who want to connect West Virginia values to state budget priorities.

From our Friends at RiseUP WV:

“Big Community Meeting!” RiseUP WV’s Monthly get-together!

Our May Rise Up WV monthly meeting is next Wednesday, May 31st at St. John’s Episcopal at 6:30-8:00pm. We’ll hear back from our working groups and also get ready to go door-to-door in June for our People’s Canvass.

“Healthcare for All!” Event on June 14th

We know we need to oppose Trump’s agenda of fear, division, and corruption but we also that if we just play defense, it’ll be hard to gain ground.

Healthcare is an issue that effects every one of us and where it’s clear that the the current system is not working for West Virginians. This is an issue where we can unite and fight together for a positive vision.

Simply put, we all deserve healthcare. And even though the U.S. spends more on healthcare than any other developed country, the solution is staring us in the face: Medicare. Medicare is a program that already delivers affordable healthcare to our older neighbors and could be expanded to cover all Americans.

Not only is healthcare a human right: it is also a far smarter economic choice. A single payer system like “Medicare for All” could save more than $500 billion a year on overhead alone.

As you know, the Trump Administration is actively taking us in the wrong direction by trying to pass legislation that would take away healthcare from 23 million Americans. We must oppose this, and we must fight for our vision: healthcare for all.

Join us on Wednesday June 14th as we kick off our healthcare campaign with a public forum and discussion:

Healthcare for All: Why not now?
Wednesday, June 14th, 6:30-8:30pm
Shiloh Baptist Church (306 Washington St., E)

Find out what it will take to fix our healthcare system so that it works for all of us!