West Virginia NOW

Learned today you can add public comment for a bill straight from the bill’s website on Wvlegislature.gov ! Just look up a bill and bam, add comments ⬇️

This session, we're asking the #WVLegis to allow doula care to be covered by Medicaid. Doulas are a cost-effective way to improve #InfantHealth and #MaternalHealth. Follow along with us during the session to learn more and find out how you can support this issue!

Are you a feminist in WV?!? Come join our annual meeting in Charleston on Nov 16 for camaraderie and some great speakers! register at: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAI…

Happy to be joining this! Schools are central to our communities and where we come together to realize a brighter future for all. @ForOurSchoolsWV coalition is working to make sure our schools have the resources they need to realize the potential of all kids #PublicSchoolProudWV

The call is out for the special session and @WVGovernor has only put forth a tax credit for childcare. Childcare providers and families say it’s not enough for an industry in crisis. We need funding to #solvechildcare and we need it now!

MetroNews Talkline Flash Poll: Have you had, or do you know anyone who has had, trouble finding or affording childcare in West Virginia?

Join the WVCBP and our partners @WV_NOW in urging our lawmakers to invest in child care, not tax cuts: votervoice.net/WVPolicy/Campa…

Please let your legislators know we want childCARE, not tax CUTS

While we are at it, can we include advocacy for all reproductive healthcare in this conversation? State legislators like @kaylayoungforwv and Delegate Anitra Hamilton are doing the work to fight back against the abortion ban and improve infant and maternal outcomes

Excited for @halleberry to come to WV. This bill and her advocacy are highlighting the lopsided funding for and research into “women’s” medical issues! cbsnews.com/news/halle-ber…

ON CHILDCARE: Since embarking on this campaign in January, few issues have come up more frequently than our state's critical shortage of #childcare capacity. It is not only morally wrong to expect families with children to thrive in childcare deserts, but it is also bad for business. One of the reasons we have the lowest workforce participation rate in the country is because so many of our communities lack viable childcare options. During my time as Mayor of Wheeling, we identified childcare as a critical need for expanding our workforce. And we have directed federal grant dollars towards the creation of two new childcare facilities and the expansion of a third. Just this morning, we broke ground on a new playground at one of these facilities that will soon house an estimated 200 children. Meanwhile, during his time as our Governor, Jim Justice has talked a lot about childcare but delivered very little. And despite some promising language about childcare in his 2024 State of the State, he failed to deliver (or even advocate for) any childcare initiatives during the regular legislative session and recently adjourned special session. It is no secret that many in his party reject any governmental role in promoting or providing childcare to families, but leadership often requires standing up to those on your own side. In 167 days, West Virginia voters are going to pick their next United States Senator. Let us hope they choose someone willing to put the interests of West Virginia families ahead of the demands of his political allies. #elliottforwv #wvpol ***** ELLIOTT FOR WEST VIRGINIA 1310 Market Street, #102 Wheeling, WV 26003 (304) 233-6201 info@elliottforwv.com elliottforwv.com

Thank you for continuing to advocate!

Despite the impacts on our economy, workforce and families the governor didn’t put child care on the agenda.

The @WVGovernor has issued a proclamation calling the @wvlegislature into Extraordinary Session to convene at 5 p.m. Sunday, May 19, 2024. View the Governor's proclamation here: t.ly/ZafIW.

Talk is cheap, childcare is not, but the investment is worth it for so many reasons. #solvechildcare wvmetronews.com/2024/04/18/wes…

Fully funding Medicaid must be the top priority for May special session. In addition to the 10% cut to the I/DD waiver program, the enacted budget slashes Medicaid funding by about 12 percent, risking hundreds of millions in federal matching funds. wvmetronews.com/2024/04/14/fam…

Today is a good day to ask a lawmaker:

Huntington Mayor Williams, Democratic candidate for governor, pushes for abortion referendum story: wvmetronews.com/2024/04/10/hun…

After adjusting for inflation, the FY 2025 budget is $716 million less than the FY 2019 budget, failing to meet critical state needs. The biggest casualty of this “skinny budget” is the Medicaid program. Learn more in our recap fact sheet: wvpolicy.org/final-2025-bud…

A win we can all celebrate. Thankful to the folks who have been working years to get this passed!