An independent research organization advancing policies that increase opportunity for all West Virginians through credible and accessible research and advocacy
Charleston, WV
Joined December 2011
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Health care shouldn’t leave you wondering how you’re going to pay the bill.
We’re asking West Virginians to take a few minutes to share how high or unexpected health care costs have affected you, your family, or your community.
This week in Budget Beat:
- WV Now Up to 13 Public School Closures Proposed During 2026-27 School Year
- WV’s Economy After FY 2027 Q1
- A Quick Guide to SNAP Eligibility and Benefits
Read the full newsletter: wvpolicy.org/wv-now-up-to-13…
West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy retweeted
Really sad stories about food stamp theft in this story. Scammers Are Stealing Millions From Food Stamp Recipients. Congress Could Fix It — but Won’t. propublica.org/article/food-…
West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy retweeted
#BREAKING: An Ohio appeals court unanimously ruled Thursday that the state’s EdChoice private-school voucher program violates the Ohio Constitution, affirming a lower court decision in a lawsuit backed by hundreds of public school districts. nbc4i.co/4zABVUI
West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy 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.
West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy retweeted
“If data centers are going to locate in WV, they could be a source of funding for schools at a time when it’s desperately needed. But all these tax breaks are standing in the way of making sure local communities and schools benefit from their development.”
Companies paying their full share of taxes “benefits everybody,” @kellakelWV told @The74, while philanthropic donations or sponsorships allow corporations to “pick and choose the things that they want to fund.” the74million.org/article/geo…
West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy retweeted
Health care shouldn’t leave you wondering how you’re going to pay the bill.
We’re asking West Virginians to take a few minutes to share how high or unexpected health care costs have affected you, your family, or your community.
"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/…
West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy retweeted
State schools officials twice took aim at West Virginia's strained school funding, first proposing a new framework for legislative consideration and then taking a formal position that the current school funding system is constitutionally inadequate.
buff.ly/sTlWqOo
West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy 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.
West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy retweeted
Not just that. No fire safety standards, no heath and safety inspections, no curriculum standards, no teaching qualifications, no accreditation standards, no assessments, no $$ oversight, no discrimination protections, no disability protections
West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy retweeted
Be skeptical of any analysis that doesn't adjust for inflation or note key external events during the analysis timeline. No, WV isn't spending "more than ever on public schools". State share of school aid funding is 17% below 2009 levels; total (state + local) spending down 11%.
Enrollment is down across the nation, not just in the Mountain State. On average, our school buildings sit half-empty. Meanwhile, West Virginia taxpayers are spending more on public schools, and for fewer students, than ever before.
Despite the siren song of the tax-and-spend left, simply spending more on government-run education will do nothing to fix the inherent flaws in our school funding formula or help our kids succeed. State lawmakers should swiftly take bold action to fund students, not systems while ensuring parents direct every dollar.
WV is now up to 13 public school closures proposed during the 2026-27 school year. Check out our tracker page to find details about where impacted schools are at in the closure approval process & how you can take action to protect local public schools: wvpolicy.org/tracking-public…
West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy retweeted
So pointless, other than the cruelty and humiliation brought down on people who need a little help
New: West Virginia lawmakers decided to continue drug testing adult applicants for TANF, a program that helps low income families pay for food, utilities and more.
In 2025, less than 1% of applicants tested positive for drugs. westvirginiawatch.com/2026/1…
West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy retweeted
WV continues to struggle with a slow economy and ended the first quarter of FY 2027 with revenue collections falling behind the pace of inflation. This should raise concerns for lawmakers given the many new budgetary expenses on the horizon.
wvpolicy.org/wvs-economy-aft…
West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy retweeted
New: West Virginia lawmakers decided to continue drug testing adult applicants for TANF, a program that helps low income families pay for food, utilities and more.
In 2025, less than 1% of applicants tested positive for drugs. westvirginiawatch.com/2026/1…
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.
Over the last decade, West Virginia has added tens of thousands of jobs in the health care and social assistance sector, but those jobs do not always pay enough for workers to make ends meet.
Senior policy analyst and report author Sean breaks down the big picture, details West Virginia’s transition to a health care economy, and explains why the future of our economy depends on more than just creating jobs.
Read the full report here: tinyurl.com/mvh7dsyp