Jobs and the Economy
Policy Brief: Broadband access crucial to economic development
October 24, 2011 -- West Virginia is behind nationally in terms of broadband access which is crucial to economic development. What policy actions can help West Virginia conquer the “digital divide” that exists between rural and non-rural communities in terms of broadband access? Read
Booms and Busts: The Impact of West Virginia's Energy Economy
July 20, 2011 -- As policymakers debate regulating Marcellus Shale gas drilling, the state needs to protect itself from the booms and busts of energy development that have left many counties with undiversified economies, a less-educated workforce and poorer health outcomes. This is according to a new report by the West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy, “Booms and Busts: The Impacts of West Virginia’s Energy Economy”, that looks at the impacts of the cyclical nature of the energy sector on the state’s economy and mining counties. Read
West Virginia's public employees are compensated less than private sector employees
April 26, 2011 -- Governors and legislators across the country are targeting public sector compensation as they try to cut spending and rein in budget deficits. To justify cuts to wages and benefit packages, the argument is that public sector workers have it better than their private sector counterparts. What is the situation in West Virginia? An analysis by the West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy compares the compensation received by public (state and local) and private sector workers in West Virginia and finds that public sector workers are not compensated at a higher level than their private sector counterparts. Read
State strategies for reducing poverty: Preparing for the next "economic Katrina"
April 14, 2011 -- A slide presentation made at the 2011 Conference for Continuing Education for Social Workers. Read
The State of Working West Virginia: The Road to Recovery 2010
February 25, 2011 -- In The State of Working West Virginia: The Road to Recovery 2010, the West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy examines how the 2009 Recovery Act and other federal programs benefited West Virginians, how the Great Recession caused the loss of good paying industry jobs and how the gap between the rich and the poor in West Virginia was deepened. Read
Last Chance for Unemployment Modernization
January 24, 2011 -- West Virginia has an opportunity to modernize its Unemployment Insurance program without spending any state money but time is running out. State legislators need to act before August 22, 2011 so the state can receive millions in federal funds that would benefit 2,000 West Virginia families. Read
Public Investments Will Reduce Broadband Gap
January 24, 2011 -- While the state's economic development depends on residents and businesses having access to high-speed Internet access, many West Virginia communities are beyond the reach of Internet service providers. State and federal funding is available to build the necessary infrastructure for increased broadband access. The West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy suggests several policy options that will help low- and moderate-income famililes bridge the Broadband Gap. Read
Response to Calvin A. Kent and Kent Sowards Memorandum of September 13, 2010 on "The Impact of Coal on the West Virginia State Budget"
The West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy and Downstream Strategies report, “The Impact of Coal on the West Virginia State Budget,” recently drew criticism from Dr. Calvin Kent and Kent Sowards of Marshall University. WVCBP and DS have issued a rebuttal. Read
WVCBP Staff Presents at Alliance for Sustainable Families Conference
November 2, 2010 -- Ted Boettner and Elizabeth Paulhus presented at the Statewide Asset Coalition Annual Meeting of the Alliance for Sustainable Families on October 29, 2010 in Charleston, WV. The meeting's purpose was to inform participants about ongoing efforts to increase asset building opportunities for working families in West Virginia. See Ted Boettner's presentation, "Battling Poverty in the Mountain State: Reducing Economic Insecurity with a State EITC " | PDF PowerPoint. See Elizabeth Paulhus's presentation, "Within Our Grasp: Reducing Economic Insecurity with a State EITC " | PowerPoint. For more information, email tboettner@wvpolicy.org or epaulhus@wvpolicy.org
How Federal Action Saved West Virginia Jobs
October 15, 2010 -- Recent federal action, such as the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), has likely saved 56,000 West Virginia jobs and prevented a high unemployment rate from escalating further. Read
Racial Disparities in West Virginia
August 6, 2010 -- African Americans in West Virginia face persistent disparities across a wide range of economic, labor, social, and health measures. What follows is a data analysis comparing various dimensions of well-being among African American families and their white counterparts. Read
Unemployment Insurance: $22 Million at Stake for West Virginia
February 20, 2010 -- Recent improvements in the economy have done little to boost employment. In West Virginia, the jobless rate remains over nine percent. The good news is that $22 million in federal funds are available if the state agrees to modernize its unemployment insurance program to cover groups currently excluded. Read brief
Groups examine racial disparities and propose solutions
February 16, 2010 -- African Americans in West Virginia continue to earn less
money, have higher rates of poverty, and be less likely to own a
home or have health insurance than whites, according to a new report
by the Partnership of African American Churches, American Friends
Service Committee, and Center on Budget and Policy. The report
examines the history, causes and consequences of racial disparities
in the Mountain State and what can be done to resolve them.
Read
New Report Looks at Impact of the Great Recession on West Virginia Workers and Families
December 21, 2009 -- After dodging the early months of the national recession, West Virginia workers experienced its full force during 2009, according to a new report by the West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy. In addition to information on how workers are faring in the Mountain State, the report outlines policy options that would further economic recovery. Read
Green Jobs forum draws diverse perspectives and ideas
October 18, 2010 -- Nearly a hundred entrepreneurs, educators, environmentalists, labor leaders and policymakers gathered on October 18 for a three-hour forum on advancing green jobs in W. Va. The event, sponsored by the Center on Budget and Policy, Katalyst, and BuildGreen WV, was part of the 2009 Create WV Conference.
Good Jobs, Green Jobs Forum: Presenter Information and websites (PDF)View video highlights
WSAZ TV: Create WV Conference underway in Huntington
WV News Service: College trains workers for green jobs in the Ohio Valley
State of Working West Virginia: The Great Recession 2009
December 21, 2009 -- After dodging the early months of the national recession, West Virginia workers experienced its full force during 2009, according to a new report by the West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy. In addition to information on how workers are faring in the Mountain State, the report outlines policy options that would further economic recovery. Read
Sharp increases predicted in poverty due to recession
September 9, 2009 -- One in four West Virginians is expected to fall into poverty during the current recession, according to a new report by the WV Center on Budget and Policy. The number of state children living in poverty is predicted to increase by more than a third. | Read
Policy Change Would Extend Unemployment Benefits for Jobless West Virginians
August 4, 2009 -- More than 6,100 jobless workers in West Virginia will run out of unemployment benefits by the end of 2009. West Virginia could provide additional help to these workers under provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. States with high unemployment rates may provide up to 20 more weeks of Extended Benefits, fully paid by the federal government. | Read
Unemployment Insurance Modernization: $33 Million at Stake for WV Workers
March 6, 2009 -- West Virginia’s unemployment insurance program is in urgent need of re‐tooling, especially with the state’s rapidly rising unemployment. | Read PDF
Raising Taxable Wage Base Is Best Way to Keep State Unemployment Fund Solvent
March, 2009 -- The number of unemployed West Virginians has swelled by more than 10,000 over the past year, and the pace of job loss is accelerating. This poses significant challenges to the solvency of the state’s Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund. | Read PDF
What the Federal Economic Stimulus Means for Low- and Moderate-Income Families
February-March, 2009 -- This report summarizes major appropriations resulting from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 that are likely to have the greatest impact on low- and moderate-income West Virginians. | Read PDF
Money for Nothing: Do Business Subsidies Create Jobs or Leave Workers in Dire Straits?
February, 2009 -- This report finds companies fail to deliver on job-creation promises after given publically funded subsidies. | Read PDF
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act:
What It Would Mean for West Virginia
February, 2009 -- The proposed American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 has five stated purposes. Read more about what it means for West Virginia. Read PDF
Unions and Upward Mobility for Women Workers
December, 2008 -- This report uses national data to show the benefits of unionization for women in the workplace. | Read PDF
The State of Working West Virginia -- 2008
December, 2008 -- This report is the first in recent years to provide such a comprehensive and in-depth analysis of workforce trends and issues in W. Va. Read PDF