Policy analyst @WVCBP | anywhere but in between |
Charleston, WV
Joined October 2012
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West Virginia didn’t lose any jobs in September, but it didn’t gain any either. lmi.workforcewv.org/data-rel…
Sean O’Leary retweeted
Folks, @PeteButtigieg is right: we've been running a generation long natural experiment on minimum wages and the results are clear.
20 states have no MW to speak of.
30 do, and sometimes as high as European levels (60% of median wage).
What do we find? Sharp growth in low pay, little effect on jobs.
A Charlotte student to @PeteButtigieg on corporate abuse of the minimum wage.
How will the Democratic platform structure a wage increase to actively protect small businesses from being forced to close or cut hours?
Sean O’Leary retweeted
If communities want small schools close to home, we can use our tax $$ to make it so. We can co-locate more services in schools w/ empty space (& do things like increase pre-K takeup). We don't need to jump to the most harmful option- unless goal is to decimate public schools.
Sean O’Leary retweeted
People who say closing more schools is the only answer are lacking creativity, compassion, and data. Recent research shows school closures often don't save money at all and the harms they inflict on students and broader communities are great.
Sean O’Leary retweeted
Is school building utilization a good measure for funding adequacy? While it may be a piece of the analysis, factors like staffing, course offerings, adequate resources for vulnerable populations (high-poverty, disability), and *what the community wants* cannot be disregarded.
We only stay in orbit
For a moment of time
And then you're everybody's satellite
I wish that you were mine
Our album Recovering the Satellites was released 30 years ago today. Leave a comment and tell us your favorite song, favorite memory, and where you were when you first heard it. Thank you for listening all of these years!
Listen now: countingcrows.lnk.to/Satelli…
Sean O’Leary retweeted
"West Virginia's SNAP enrollment dropped from 270,722 in July 2025 to 250,742 in June 2026, a 7.38% reduction."
Sean O’Leary retweeted
"Individual states will now have to pay 75% of the program's operational costs, resulting in a decline in enrollment of over 5 million people from July 2025 to June 2026, according to @CenterOnBudget's SNAP tracker and the U.S. Department of Agriculture." dominionpost.com/2026/10/02/…
Sean O’Leary retweeted
News drop: West Virginia school leaders today unveiled a proposed school funding formula overhaul with hope lawmakers will consider it.
The proposed formula seeks to address declining public school enrollment, special education costs and more.
westvirginiawatch.com/2026/1…
Sean O’Leary retweeted
Real average hourly earnings for all employees decrease 0.5% in September #BLSData bls.gov/news.release/archive…
Sean O’Leary retweeted
ICYMI: Our new 2026 State of Working West Virginia report examines how our state economy has transitioned to a health care economy over the past decade, where job growth is now happening, and what it means for working West Virginians.
Sean O’Leary retweeted
“We are very concerned, and we know that people will lose coverage that are eligible," the head of one Medicaid MCO said of work requirements westvirginiawatch.com/2026/1…
