Tag: Civil Rights
620 posts found, showing 20 per page
Action Alert CAG July 17, 2018
Join Us for Community Discussions on Restorative Justice & the Opioid Crisis
Please join us for these important community discussions in Charleston and Huntington on the importance of restorative justice practices and solutions to the opioid crisis. More
Issues: Civil Rights, Families, Healthcare
Join Us for Community Discussions on Restorative Justice & the Opioid Crisis
Please join us for these important community discussions in Charleston and Huntington on the importance of restorative justice practices and solutions to the opioid crisis. More
Issues: Civil Rights, Families, Healthcare
Action Alert CAG July 9, 2018
Speak Out for Water Protections, Against Family Separations; Support Youth Organizing in WV
We're writing to let you know about opportunities this week to speak out for water protections for West Virginia, and against the Trump administration's separation of families. We also wanted to let you know about a special opportunity to support youth organizing in West Virginia this summer. Keep reading to learn more, then raise your voice and speak out on these important issues! More
Issues: Civil Rights, Environment, Families
Speak Out for Water Protections, Against Family Separations; Support Youth Organizing in WV
We're writing to let you know about opportunities this week to speak out for water protections for West Virginia, and against the Trump administration's separation of families. We also wanted to let you know about a special opportunity to support youth organizing in West Virginia this summer. Keep reading to learn more, then raise your voice and speak out on these important issues! More
Issues: Civil Rights, Environment, Families
Action Alert CAG July 9, 2018
Raise Your Voice! – Speak Out for Water Protections, Against Family Separations; Support Youth Organizing in West Virginia
There are several opportunities this week to make your voice heard on water protections for West Virginia, the Trump administration's separation of families, the next nominee to the US Supreme Court, and more. We also wanted to let you know about a special opportunity to support youth organizing in West Virginia this summer. Keep reading to learn more, then raise your voice and speak out on these important issues! More
Issues: Civil Rights, Environment, Families
Raise Your Voice! – Speak Out for Water Protections, Against Family Separations; Support Youth Organizing in West Virginia
There are several opportunities this week to make your voice heard on water protections for West Virginia, the Trump administration's separation of families, the next nominee to the US Supreme Court, and more. We also wanted to let you know about a special opportunity to support youth organizing in West Virginia this summer. Keep reading to learn more, then raise your voice and speak out on these important issues! More
Issues: Civil Rights, Environment, Families
Action Alert CAG June 7, 2018
Don’t Miss These Climate Change, Fair Courts Events in Charleston
On Tuesday, June 12 celebrate science and honor two U.S. heroes from their work in defense of America at a luncheon hosted by Citizens Climate Lobby WV. The following week (Monday, June 18) WV Citizens for Clean Elections invites you to a training and discussion on the critical role the courts play in protecting our democracy and fundamental rights. We hope you can join us at one or both events. More
Issues: Civil Rights, Democracy, Energy, Environment, Families
Don’t Miss These Climate Change, Fair Courts Events in Charleston
On Tuesday, June 12 celebrate science and honor two U.S. heroes from their work in defense of America at a luncheon hosted by Citizens Climate Lobby WV. The following week (Monday, June 18) WV Citizens for Clean Elections invites you to a training and discussion on the critical role the courts play in protecting our democracy and fundamental rights. We hope you can join us at one or both events. More
Issues: Civil Rights, Democracy, Energy, Environment, Families
Advocacy Letter CAG May 21, 2018
Consumer, Civil Rights, Community Groups Oppose HR 4439 and Sham Rent-a-Bank Payday Lending
In a letter to the House Financial Service Committee, 120 consumer, civil rights, labor, community and legal services organizations including WV CAG voiced their opposition to HR 4439 (Hollingsworth), the so-called Modernizing Credit Opportunities Act. The bill would allow payday lenders to use the fine print of loan terms and sham rent-a-bank arrangements to make loans at 100% to 400% APR or higher in states where those rates are illegal. The bill would undercut the historic power of the states to protect people from dangerous, usurious loans. More
Issues: Civil Rights, Economy, Families
Consumer, Civil Rights, Community Groups Oppose HR 4439 and Sham Rent-a-Bank Payday Lending
In a letter to the House Financial Service Committee, 120 consumer, civil rights, labor, community and legal services organizations including WV CAG voiced their opposition to HR 4439 (Hollingsworth), the so-called Modernizing Credit Opportunities Act. The bill would allow payday lenders to use the fine print of loan terms and sham rent-a-bank arrangements to make loans at 100% to 400% APR or higher in states where those rates are illegal. The bill would undercut the historic power of the states to protect people from dangerous, usurious loans. More
Issues: Civil Rights, Economy, Families
Citizen Action Group Blog CAG May 15, 2018
Congress Wants to Cut Food Stamps After Giving 1% a Big Tax Break
The partisan Republican farm bill isn’t fooling anyone: punishing kids, seniors, people with disabilities and low wage workers won’t get people back to work or help the economy just like tax breaks for the rich haven’t created jobs or helped the middle class. Instead, the current Republican SNAP proposals are designed to shrink the food stamp program so that Republicans can free up more money to pay for their massive tax giveaway. More
Issues: Budget Priorities, Civil Rights, Economy, Fair taxation, Families
Congress Wants to Cut Food Stamps After Giving 1% a Big Tax Break
The partisan Republican farm bill isn’t fooling anyone: punishing kids, seniors, people with disabilities and low wage workers won’t get people back to work or help the economy just like tax breaks for the rich haven’t created jobs or helped the middle class. Instead, the current Republican SNAP proposals are designed to shrink the food stamp program so that Republicans can free up more money to pay for their massive tax giveaway. More
Issues: Budget Priorities, Civil Rights, Economy, Fair taxation, Families
Action Alert CAG May 15, 2018
Tell Your Representative to Protect Food Access, Vote No on the Farm Bill
The House Republican Farm Bill (H.R. 2) cuts $20 billion from SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) by creating new requirements, red tape, and bureaucratic hoops that will make it much harder to access critical benefits. Call your Representative today at 1-888-398-8702. Tell them to protect food access and vote NO on the Farm Bill that cuts food stamps for millions of Americans who can’t afford to eat. More
Issues: Budget Priorities, Civil Rights, Economy, Fair taxation, Families
Tell Your Representative to Protect Food Access, Vote No on the Farm Bill
The House Republican Farm Bill (H.R. 2) cuts $20 billion from SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) by creating new requirements, red tape, and bureaucratic hoops that will make it much harder to access critical benefits. Call your Representative today at 1-888-398-8702. Tell them to protect food access and vote NO on the Farm Bill that cuts food stamps for millions of Americans who can’t afford to eat. More
Issues: Budget Priorities, Civil Rights, Economy, Fair taxation, Families
Newsletter CAG April 24, 2018
Capital Eye Vol. 11, No. 10 – Spring 2018 Edition
In this Capital Eye: 2018 Legislative Wrap-Up, Trump Tax Scam Continues War on Health Care, Power to the People: WV CAG's Awards Dinner & Fundraiser, In Memory of a Big Hearted Water Warrior, Election 2018 (Be Ready to Vote: Voter ID Law Now in Effect, Follow the Money, Constitutional Amendments on the Ballot in November), Energy Efficient West Virginia (EEWV) Updates (FirstEnergy Drops Bid to Sell Pleasants Power Plant & more) More
Issues: Civil Rights, Democracy, Energy, Fair taxation, Healthcare, Workers
Capital Eye Vol. 11, No. 10 – Spring 2018 Edition
In this Capital Eye: 2018 Legislative Wrap-Up, Trump Tax Scam Continues War on Health Care, Power to the People: WV CAG's Awards Dinner & Fundraiser, In Memory of a Big Hearted Water Warrior, Election 2018 (Be Ready to Vote: Voter ID Law Now in Effect, Follow the Money, Constitutional Amendments on the Ballot in November), Energy Efficient West Virginia (EEWV) Updates (FirstEnergy Drops Bid to Sell Pleasants Power Plant & more) More
Issues: Civil Rights, Democracy, Energy, Fair taxation, Healthcare, Workers
Press Release CAG 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: Civil Rights, Economy, Fair taxation, Families, Healthcare
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: Civil Rights, Economy, Fair taxation, Families, Healthcare
Action Alert CAG 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: Civil Rights, Economy, Healthcare
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: Civil Rights, Economy, Healthcare
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 Rights, Democracy, Families
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 Rights, Democracy, Families
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 Rights, Democracy, Economy, Environment, Families, Healthcare, 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: Civil Rights, Democracy, Economy, Environment, Families, Healthcare, Workers
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 Priorities, Civil Rights, Democracy, Healthcare
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 Priorities, Civil Rights, Democracy, Healthcare
Action Alert CAG 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: Civil Rights, Economy, Families
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: Civil Rights, Economy, Families
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 Rights, 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: Civil Rights, Families
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 Priorities, Civil Rights, Democracy, Economy, Energy, Families, Healthcare, 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 Rights, Democracy, Economy, Energy, Families, Healthcare, Workers
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 Rights, Democracy, Economy
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 Rights, Democracy, Economy
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 Rights, Democracy
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 Rights, Democracy
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 Priorities, Civil Rights
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 Priorities, Civil Rights
Newsletter article CAG 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: Civil Rights, Economy, Healthcare
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: Civil Rights, Economy, Healthcare