Personal income growth in West Virginia during 2013 was only 1.5% – the lowest in the nation – and about half the national average of 2.6%. Overall income growth in West Virginia in the previous 30 years under Democratic control had been only 13% (about one-third of the national average of 37%). Wages of the impoverished bottom 1% income earners … Read More
Legislators updated on two, billion-dollar pipeline projects
CHARLESTON — Legislators learned the latest on natural gas pipeline projects underway in the state, including the nearly $6 billion Atlantic Coast Pipeline that put its 3,100 West Virginia employees back to work Tuesday. “We had fantastic news from FERC (the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission),” Robert Orndorff, state policy manager for Dominion Resources, told lawmakers during a presentation on the … Read More
Blue Ribbon Commission discusses state’s higher education needs
The Blue Ribbon Commission met for the first time Friday morning, setting guidelines for the group, which will look at the sustainability of the state’s four-year higher education institutions. The commission, which was established by Gov. Jim Justice earlier this month, has been charged with recommending policies, structure and organization to the governor that will improve the state’s four-year institutions, … Read More
Building for the future: West Virginia leads the nation in construction employment
Just a few years ago, West Virginia ranked last in the nation for construction employment. The state actually ranked lower than last, coming in at No. 51 behind Washington, D.C., according to Mike Clowser, executive director of the Contractors Association of West Virginia. But now — thanks to increased construction activity related to the oil and gas industry, coal industry … Read More
West Virginia Headed in the Right Direction
West Virginia is headed in the right direction and there is much to celebrate. Our unemployment rate is low, job growth is high, we anticipate a budget surplus for the first time in years and our workforce participation rate is improving. And this is just the beginning.