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Yahoo
07-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
This is your wakeup call, West Virginia
The West Virginia Capitol in Charleston, (Perry Bennett | West Virginia Legislative Photography) Political pandering: the act of expressing one's views in accordance with the likes of a group to which one is attempting to appeal for the purpose of drawing support up to and including votes and do not necessarily reflect one's personal values. Absurd! And yet, this political pandering is becoming a core issue on the federal, state and local terrains. As such, it comes very close — too close — to preventing any real, definitive action in enacting legislation that would result in anything of real value. And knowing of the deep-seated trend makes us question the validity of the actions of our legislative leaders. Do they have our best interests at heart, or do they have their best interests at heart — i.e., what propels their own political aspirations? We don't have to dig too deep to find examples of politicians not only tweaking their positions but making complete turnarounds. Politicians have always been careful in their positions of where they stand, depending on the audience, but in recent years, their blatant disregard for standing firm on conviction/principle has produced a level of distrust, evidenced in the vast number of voters who simply didn't show up to vote in the last presidential election. And while the good-ole-boy political system exists — to some level — throughout the country, it has always been most deeply ingrained in West Virginia. And its resultant damages are crystal clear to even those who would deny it. A few months ago, in a commentary published in West Virginia Watch, I focused on my — at times — challenging journey as a West Virginia writer. It was humbling and gratifying when the piece was picked up by a few other respected news outlets. At its core, the piece was a wake-up call to West Virginia to leave behind the antiquated ways of doing business that clearly no longer work. In response to that piece, I received a letter from a well-respected, critically acclaimed, award-winning West Virginia author lauding my efforts to bring to light what is essential for West Virginia's growth. The author spoke to 'the isolation, the vacuum, in which we, as creatives, work and how that environment is often at the will of others who are motivated by complex agendas and often a lot of defensiveness.' The letter made its way into a look at Charlotte Pritt's unsuccessful run for governor, pointing out 'the dark shadows which then, and I expect now, underlie West Virginia politics and culture.' And here we are, decades later, the alarm on the clock resounding loud and clear. Are you listening, or are you simply going to keep hitting the snooze button? When will we say, 'Enough!' When will we don the badge of courage, take a deep breath, and forge a new path that most assuredly will lead us to a route void of political pandering—or at the very least crumble its much too-solid core? SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Skyrocketing Hope Scholarship price tag, now around $100M, a concern for WV lawmakers making budget
A member of the West Virginia House Finance Committee looks at a copy of the proposed state budget on Feb. 13, 2025. (Perry Bennett | West Virginia Legislative Photography) The price tag for the Hope Scholarship, the state's education savings account program, will double next year, climbing to more than $100 million. As budget concerns loom, lawmakers are questioning if the state can afford the program that is a hallmark of the Republican-heavy Legislature's education freedom push. It's the largest funding increase requested by Gov. Patrick Morrisey in his first budget proposal. 'I believe, based on the information we have so far, which is preliminary, I think there should be a modification to it, but I don't know what it will be yet to what we're considering or what we're going to do,' said House Finance Chair Vernon Criss, R-Wood. The Hope Scholarship, established in 2021, gives families roughly $4,400 per student in taxpayer money to use for private schools, homeschooling and more. There are limited guardrails on how funds can be used, and West Virginia families have used scholarship funds to pay for tuition at out-of-state schools, iPads, dance studio fees and more. State Treasurer Larry Pack, who oversees the Hope Scholarship, requested around $100 million to pay for the program and expects to serve more than 19,000 students next year under its current eligibility rules. Program costs this year were around $52 million. 'Each year, more families enroll in the Hope Scholarship program empowering those parents to find the right education that fits their child's unique needs,' Pack said. 'My goal is to ensure that parents and families have the tools necessary to tailor an education for their children that works best for them.' 'The governor did not know the extent of Hope needs and funding until he assumed office,' said Eric Nelson, who Gov. Patrick Morrisey tapped to serve as revenue secretary to tackle the state's budget challenges. The Republican governor said former Gov. Jim Justice left him a projected $400 million deficit. Morrisey, who requested a balanced budget in FY 2026, wants to use four different revenue streams to pay for the Hope Scholarship: $29 million in state funds, then a combination of two different lottery funds and a supplemental appropriation to add up to what his office says is a needed $110 million. Pack said the recommended supplementals were necessary for the program to continue to expand. Senate Finance Chair Jason Barrett, R-Berkeley said the state would use one-time money to pay for the Hope Scholarship this year, adding, 'There is always money in lottery and excess lottery.' Kelly Allen, director of the West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy, noted that the governor requested $170 million in one-time money to cover costs. 'A chunk of that is to fully fund Medicaid and the Hope Scholarship,' she said. 'When we look at the governor's proposed budget, nearly every agency and program sees a flat allocation compared to last year or reductions like in higher education,' Allen continued. 'The only program that sees significant growth in the governor's budget is the Hope Scholarship.' House Speaker Roger Hanshaw has raised concerns about whether the state can afford the education savings account program. Del. John Williams, D-Monongalia, minority chair of the House Finance Committee, has the same apprehension. 'It's easy to campaign on these issues and talk about school choice. But when you increase your demands and pass tax decreases at the same time, eventually, that comes home to roost,' Williams said. 'It has now, and they're having trouble.' Barrett felt confident in the state's plan to pay for the program. 'I think that the Legislature has made it very clear, based on what we've heard from the people across West Virginia, that very much want the Hope Scholarship,' he said. 'I think it's incumbent upon the Legislature now to honor the Hope Scholarship and do these things to make sure that it is funded at 100%.' Criss emphasized that lawmakers are in the early phases of hammering out the budget. 'We don't know what the Senate is going to do. Obviously, we want to be prudent,' he said. 'We want to be able to do what the law says, but I believe that we're going to have to look at maybe some kind of a modification.' House Democrats have proposed curtailing the use of Hope Scholarship funds at out-of-state schools after more than $257,000 was spent last year in 12 other states. Their bill, House Bill 2955, would require that schools receiving the Hope Scholarship must be located in West Virginia. The Hope Scholarship will open up to all students to participate in the 2026-27 school year, and the Treasurer's Office estimates that an additional 30,000 to 40,000 students will be eligible. The program will have an estimated $300 million price tag. Under Morrisey, the state has brought back six-year budget forecasts that went to the wayside under Justice. Mike McKown, state budget director, said that, as of now, a projected budget gap for 2027 is right below $400 million. 'The big drivers are PEIA, Hope [Scholarship] and the school aid formula,' he said. Williams said the state's plan to use one-time money for Hope Scholarship presents a challenge next year when the program cost more than doubles. 'The sky's the limit of how much it's going to be, and I think that's a real concern,' he said. 'I don't know what we're going to do next year.' When asked if the governor's office would consider any changes or limits to the Hope Scholarship, Nelson said, 'We've been awfully busy at this time putting the budget together, the flood situation and putting a team in place. This and specific areas that may need addressed, like PEIA or future taxes, will be forthcoming. I feel confident that we have a great team.' The multi-million dollar Hope Scholarship funding need comes as a wave of public schools are closing due to financial strain spurred by student population loss. Some students have exited public schools to use the Hope Scholarship. A key education measure this session is meant to help elementary teachers remove disruptive and violent students, and the bill doesn't come with any funding to hire specially-trained staff or to build needed alternative learning schools for suspended students. 'We hear from lawmakers all the time there's no more money to fund behavioral support specials or interventionists,' Allen said, adding that Morrisey figuring out how to pay for the Hope Scholarship showed that money was available. 'Knowing that we haven't done our due diligence in our free public schools is really concerning,' she said. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
18-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
WV Senate Workforce Committee advances bill expanding work requirements of food stamp recipients
Members of the state Senate Workforce Committee met Monday, Feb. 17, 2025, and advanced a bill that expands work requirements for SNAP recipients in West Virginia. (Will Price | West Virginia Legislative Photography) The Senate Workforce Committee on Monday advanced legislation that would expand the work requirements for West Virginians who receive benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly known as food stamps. The bill would mandate participation in a SNAP employment and training program for able-bodied adults up to age 59 unless they meet a qualification for exemption. The programs are currently voluntary. Under the bill, exemptions include caring for a child under age 6 or an incapacitated adult, going to school at least part time, being employed at least 30 hours a week and participating in a drug or alcohol treatment program, among other things. With some exceptions, the federal government requires able-bodied recipients ages 18 to 54 to meet work and training requirements in order to receive SNAP longer than three months within three years. If the bill passes, SNAP recipients would be required to work at least 20 hours a week or be subject to a time limit on SNAP of three months within three years, and work 30 hours a week to be exempt from the state's SNAP Employment & Training (SNAP E&T) participation requirements, an attorney for the committee explained. The bill would allow the state Department of Human Services to exempt up to 20% of individuals from the SNAP E&T program work based on challenges that the person would experience complying with the requirements. The Senate passed the legislation during the 2024 legislative session, but the House did not adopt it. Sen. Rollan Roberts, R-Raleigh, told West Virginia Watch late last year he planned to reintroduce the bill this session. During that interview, Roberts said the bill combines compassion with responsibility. 'I don't know what they're doing with their lives,' Roberts said. 'They're not volunteering, seeking vocational training, or they're not working. OK, so what are these able-bodied adults doing with no dependents? They are not contributing to society in a positive way, apparently, and are we sustaining that lifestyle? And does that lifestyle impact other negative consequences everywhere in society? I suspect that it does. It's anecdotal proof.' Jeremiah Samples, former deputy secretary for the state Department of Health and Human Resources, testified before the committee on behalf of the Opportunity Solutions Project, a partner organization to the Foundation for Government Accountability, a right-leaning organization that promotes work over welfare. 'The most simplistic way to describe this bill is that this expands those work requirements [from 54] up to age 59,' Samples said. 'Ultimately the reason that I have been involved with this issue for many years and that the FGA and the Opportunity Solutions project is involved is that work gives individuals dignity. Employment gives an individual community. 'We're talking about giving people hope and an opportunity to better their lives,' Samples said. 'In West Virginia, and you all know many of our statistics, we struggle with a lack of hope.' West Virginia has poor rankings for workforce participation, poor mental health days, drug overdoses, adults reporting poor health, diabetes, obesity, middle age death rate, foster care rates, grandparents raising grandchildren, Samples noted. 'The bottom line is that West Virginia is caught in a vicious cycle where individuals and communities, they do not have the resources available to them to get into the workforce, nor the expectation,' Samples said. 'A mandatory SNAP E&T program lays out an expectation as counsel laid out but it also provides individuals with resources.' Samples said the legislation would have a 'negligible' impact on the state's overall workforce participation rate. Caitlin Cook, director of advocacy and public policy for Mountaineer Food Bank, said the redundant work requirements in the bill would add stress to the state's charitable food network. The organization opposes the legislation, she said. Some states that have had a mandatory work and training program have changed their programs to voluntary because they did not meet their employment and self-sufficiency goals, she said. 'We know in those other states that have mandatory SNAP E&T programs, it's both increasing food insecurity as well as not achieving the intended outcome of the SNAP E&T program, which is to connect people with tools, resources and opportunities to achieve self-sufficiency, and in turn no longer need food assistance through SNAP or the charitable food network,' Cook said. Mandatory SNAP E&T programs also typically struggle to meet federal regulations and increase bureaucracy, she said. The bill will next be considered by the Senate Finance Committee. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
