The COVID-19 pandemic has proven to be a challenging era for education. Public schools have adapted curriculum to an at-home learning environment, and some private schools have closed their doors permanently. Many parents have responded by considering new options for their students - learning pods. Undoubtedly, this has changed the landscape of education in America.…

Although a legislative win sometimes feels instantaneous, the immense amount of work behind it is seldom seen. Whether it is an Olympic sprinter crossing the finish line or a bill passing the legislature, the effort required often lies in darkness. It never makes newspaper headlines. Hours upon hours of unrecognized, unknown grit is necessary to make miracles happen.       What a…

On March 11th, President Joe Biden signed the $1.9 trillion relief plan. Known as the American Rescue Plan, this Act intended to help the American economy recover from the year-long coronavirus pandemic. The most discussed parts of the program are the individual stimulus checks and expansion of the Child Tax Credit. The Act also includes…

Wasteful Spending: A Trade Secret   In 2017, an investigation was launched into the West Virginia Supreme Court for overzealous spending. 2009 sparked a renovation initiative for the Court with a price tag of roughly $876,000. But, by 2017, the expenses ballooned to $3.7 billion. Most notable of the excessive expenditures were the $32,000 sectional…

Florida has a beach, beautiful weather, and, most importantly, Disney World. Who wouldn’t want to move to the Sunshine State?   This seems to be a wildly popular argument for those opposed to elimination of the personal income tax (PIT), using Florida as an example that growth is not from taxes. However, this couldn’t be…

West Virginia has had crisis after crisis imposed on it; some have come externally, but many have been so tragically self-inflicted. The best example of this cycle is how our certificate of need a.k.a. CON laws have hampered our ability to respond to any of the health issues our state has experienced.   History of…

Can Hope Scholarships Help Pay Private School Tuition Fees?: Marginal v. Total Thinking Explainer Another concern with the proposed Hope Scholarship is the matter of whether or not the scholarship amounts would truly make a difference to families with the lowest incomes. This is particularly a concern for those who may want to use the…

Apprenticeships and Career Education Get People into Jobs Do you need a college degree for a great career? Certainly not. February is CTE Month, a time to think about how career and technical education can be a fast track to jobs and community development. Vocational programs can prepare students for the jobs that actually exist…

Thanks to increasingly popular technology, you no longer need to leave the comfort of your home to get basic medical care. Telemedicine allows you to meet with your healthcare provider via smartphone or computer. For states with large rural areas, like West Virginia, telemedicine could provide healthcare for residents who have limited transportation options or…

Education Costs & the Hope Scholarship   Amid all the talk about why lawmakers in West Virginia should or shouldn’t pass legislation that introduces Hope Scholarship education savings accounts to students and families across the Mountain State, one major point of contention always comes back to the almighty dollar - the costs of education in…