More than 6,100 West Virginians could lose their unemployment benefits by the end of this year if the Governor and Legislature do not act to protect these vulnerable members of our society. Almost 4,000 will run out of benefits by the end of September. However, we have an opportunity to temporarily extend benefits to the working men and women of West Virginia while the federal Government will pay 100% of the tab.
West Virginia's unemployment rate has more than doubled in the last 7 months. We can provide additional help to jobless workers by taking advantage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and temporarily extend benefits for an additional 20 weeks.
These 20 additional weeks can mean the difference to our working families from foreclosure on their homes, repossession of their cars, telling the kids they won't be able to attend college this semester or "God Forbid", having a life threatening surgery or treatment of a disease postponed because the family can't afford it.
The Governor and the Legislature can and we should call for a special session to avert disaster for 6,100 West Virginians and their families. For more information you can click here and get the full story. http://www.wvpolicy.org/downloads/Extended_Benefits080409.pdf
Please tell your Senators and Delegates to support a special session and address the needs of our jobless miners, loggers, health care providers, and your neighbor.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Friday, July 24, 2009
WV Interim Committees Begin Studies
West Virginia Interim Committee:
Farmers Markets in West Virginia have a long history of providing nutritious fresh vegetables and other items. while providing additional income to gardeners and farmers throughout our senatorial district. Delegate Sam Argento and myself are co-chairs exploring the economic impact, state support, federal programs, and ways to enhance the age-old system of getting home grown items from the field to the market.
Farmers markets have been around since mankind began agriculture. The organized system of farmers markets have been recognized and continues today in common law. Farmers markets traditionally are not taxed, nor do they collect taxes on the sale of their vegetables, produce, etc. You can find them in most communities and every county in our state.
The federal government has established a $20 coupon program for eligible senior citizens to purchase the fresh produce from local farmers markets. You can find out if you are eligible and if these limited coupons are still available by contacting your local senior citizen program in your county.
The Legislative Oversight Committee on Corrections and Regional Jails was presented with the governor's report on prison overpopulation. The report confirmed the growing prizon population in West Virginia and the lack of available bedspace to accomodate them. Briefly, some of the recommendations include building a new medium security prison, adding beds to existing facilities, better drug treatment/rehabilitation, re-examining sentencing guidelines, promoting community corrections, and other legislative actions needed to occur to avoid the courts from imposing a solution.
As chairman of this committee, we will be looking closely at the recommendations and offering solutions to the Legislature in the 2010 Regular Session.
The finance sub-committee C is looking at the WV State Police situation in the state. Included in this is compensation for overtime, response time in rural communities, coordination between the state police and local law enforcement agenices, along with protecting the public safety of all West Virginians.
More on Health Insurance Reform:
With health care reform estimated to cost around $1 trillion over the next 10 years, the means must now be found to pay the bill. A recent report by Citizens for Tax Justice highlighted three proposals that would raise the needed revenue without burdening working families already struggling to make ends meet. Read a summary of the proposals and what they would mean for West Virginians.
West Virginia Center for Budget and Policy summary: http://www.wvpolicy.org/downloads/HealthcareFinancing072009.pdf
August Interim Schedule
The West Virginia Legislature will meet on August 10, 11, and 12 in Charleston. The following links will allow you to access the schedule, including day and times of the meetings:
General Schedule:
http://www.legis.state.wv.us/committees/interims/interims.cfm
Individual Schedules:
http://www.legis.state.wv.us/committees/interims/mother.cfm
Farmers Markets in West Virginia have a long history of providing nutritious fresh vegetables and other items. while providing additional income to gardeners and farmers throughout our senatorial district. Delegate Sam Argento and myself are co-chairs exploring the economic impact, state support, federal programs, and ways to enhance the age-old system of getting home grown items from the field to the market.
Farmers markets have been around since mankind began agriculture. The organized system of farmers markets have been recognized and continues today in common law. Farmers markets traditionally are not taxed, nor do they collect taxes on the sale of their vegetables, produce, etc. You can find them in most communities and every county in our state.
The federal government has established a $20 coupon program for eligible senior citizens to purchase the fresh produce from local farmers markets. You can find out if you are eligible and if these limited coupons are still available by contacting your local senior citizen program in your county.
The Legislative Oversight Committee on Corrections and Regional Jails was presented with the governor's report on prison overpopulation. The report confirmed the growing prizon population in West Virginia and the lack of available bedspace to accomodate them. Briefly, some of the recommendations include building a new medium security prison, adding beds to existing facilities, better drug treatment/rehabilitation, re-examining sentencing guidelines, promoting community corrections, and other legislative actions needed to occur to avoid the courts from imposing a solution.
As chairman of this committee, we will be looking closely at the recommendations and offering solutions to the Legislature in the 2010 Regular Session.
The finance sub-committee C is looking at the WV State Police situation in the state. Included in this is compensation for overtime, response time in rural communities, coordination between the state police and local law enforcement agenices, along with protecting the public safety of all West Virginians.
More on Health Insurance Reform:
With health care reform estimated to cost around $1 trillion over the next 10 years, the means must now be found to pay the bill. A recent report by Citizens for Tax Justice highlighted three proposals that would raise the needed revenue without burdening working families already struggling to make ends meet. Read a summary of the proposals and what they would mean for West Virginians.
West Virginia Center for Budget and Policy summary: http://www.wvpolicy.org/downloads/HealthcareFinancing072009.pdf
August Interim Schedule
The West Virginia Legislature will meet on August 10, 11, and 12 in Charleston. The following links will allow you to access the schedule, including day and times of the meetings:
General Schedule:
http://www.legis.state.wv.us/committees/interims/interims.cfm
Individual Schedules:
http://www.legis.state.wv.us/committees/interims/mother.cfm
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