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Make Some Noise: Tell the Governor to Veto SB 841 and HB 5105
by League of Women Voters of West Virginia 13 Mar '24

13 Mar '24

[image: lwv msn logo.png] The WV Legislature has adjourned but the Governor can still veto two bills we strongly oppose. *SB 841* weakens unemployment insurance benefits despite more than 1,500 workers receiving layoff notices in recent weeks. Cutting unemployment benefits harms our state’s economy and harms families. *HB 5105 *would roll back the state’s school vaccination requirements. It would allow students attending virtual classes to be exempted from vaccine requirements. It would also allow would allow the state’s 143 private or parochial schools to develop their own rules for vaccines. Medical professionals, concerned that such exemptions may lead to an increases in such diseases as measles and polio, have urged the Governor to veto HB 5105 The LWVWV strongly supports protecting children and families. Please call Governor Justice at 304-558-2000 or email him at governor(a)wv.gov. Tell him to veto *SB 841* and *HB 5105*.

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MAKE SOME NOISE! Oppose SB 601 and SB 614
by League of Women Voters of West Virginia 07 Mar '24

07 Mar '24

[image: lwv msn logo.png] *The 60-day Legislative session is about to end but the House will vote on two bills tomorrow (Friday) that need your attention!! Please OPPOSE:* *SB 601 <https://www.wvlegislature.gov/bill_status/bills_history.cfm?INPUT=601&year=…>* is named the WV Women’s Bill of Rights, but it has nothing to do with strengthening the rights of women in areas like education, employment, or reproductive health. Instead, it takes away rights. SB 601 would limit the definition of sex to sex assigned at birth (only two options) and eliminate recognition of gender identity that differs from sex assigned at birth. Passed by Senate Feb 28. *SB 614 <https://www.wvlegislature.gov/bill_status/bills_history.cfm?INPUT=614&year=…> *authorizes teachers to remove and/or suspend elementary school children for certain behaviors and permits involvement of law enforcement. LWVWV supports evidence-based counseling and intervention for students with behavior problems, but many school districts in WV cannot provide these supports. SB 614 does not include any funding for school districts to provide behavioral support. Instead, it allows the removal and suspension of children at the teachers' discretion. Passed by Senate Feb 12. *MAKE SOME NOISE *and contact your Delegates and urge them to oppose SB 601 and SB 614.

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Make Some Noise: OPPOSE SB 352 and SB 841 as they reach House floor for vote
by League of Women Voters of West Virginia 06 Mar '24

06 Mar '24

[image: lwv msn logo.png] S*B 352* <https://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/bills_history.cfm?INPUT=352&year=…> modifies the West Virginia abortion ban. Prior to a legal, medically necessary abortion, this bill mandates specific elements of informed consent, including information about medical risks and alternative care options. Physicians have expressed concern that this bill will introduce scientifically inaccurate information into the informed consent process. *SB 841 <https://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/bills_history.cfm?INPUT=841&year=…> *changes the structure of unemployment benefits in the state. It reduces the duration for unemployment benefits at the same time when two major employers in West Virginia with hundreds of employees are shutting down. *Both bills have passed the Senate, so please contact your member of the House Delegates <https://wvecouncil.org/wv-legislature/house/> to vote NO on SB 352 and SB 841.*

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OPPOSE HB 5159 - Weakens Child Labor Laws
by League of Women Voters of West Virginia 01 Mar '24

01 Mar '24

[image: lwv msn logo.png] *HB 5159 <https://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/bills_history.cfm?INPUT=5159&year…> passed the House on Feb 20 and is on Senate Workforce Committee <https://www.wvlegislature.gov/committees/senate/SenateCommittee.cfm?Chart=wf> agenda today. It will likely go to Senate Judiciary <https://wvecouncil.org/wv-legislature/senate-judiciary-committee/> after that.* *Contact your Senators and tell them to OPPOSE this bill, OPPOSE weakening of child labor laws in West Virginia.* HB 5159 would permit *a child age 14 or 15 years* to be employed or allowed to work and removes many current safeguards to ensure children are and remain in school. It also weakens parental consent requirements. A 14-year-old is likely entering 9th grade, a critical starting point toward high school graduation. Poor school attendance and low educational attainment are problems in our state. This bill would take us in the wrong direction and tend to trap more West Virginians in low-wage jobs. Children who would be employed at such young ages are more likely to come from lower income families and may already be at risk of not finishing their education. Finally, putting 14- and 15-year-olds into the workforce is NOT the means to fix our states low labor force participation rate.

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OPPOSE HB 5297 in House -- ACT NOW
by League of Women Voters of West Virginia 27 Feb '24

27 Feb '24

[image: lwv msn logo.png] *OPPOSE HB 5297 <https://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/bills_history.cfm?INPUT=5297&year…> removing gender-affirming care for minors. Set for House vote Wednesday.* HB 5297 is an all-out ban on medically-necessary gender-affirming care for minors. HB 5297 would remove the ability of doctors to prescribe medications for minors at risk of harming or killing themselves as they struggle with gender identity. Such medical intervention is permitted now but would be eliminated by HB 5297. The Legislature tried to enact a similar ban during the 2023 session but, fortunately, did not succeed. HB 5297 would *eliminate* the compromise language passed last year. *MAKE SOME NOISE by contacting your Delegate <https://wvecouncil.org/wv-legislature/house/> and urging a NO vote on HB 5297.*

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STOP SB 601 - fake Women's Bill of Rights
by League of Women Voters of West Virginia 26 Feb '24

26 Feb '24

[image: lwv msn logo.png] *OPPOSE the fake Women's Bill of Rights!* SB 601 <https://www.wvlegislature.gov/bill_status/bills_history.cfm?INPUT=601&year=…> is on the Senate Judiciary Committee agenda this afternoon at 3:00 pm. This may be our last best hope of stopping this bill from becoming law. The companion bill HB 5243 <https://www.wvlegislature.gov/bill_status/Bills_history.cfm?input=5243&year…> has already passed the House. Contact Senate Judiciary Members <https://wvecouncil.org/wv-legislature/senate-judiciary-committee/> and tell them West Virginia wants a real Bill of Rights for Women. SB 601 is not that.

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SUPPORT SB 496 - TODAY
by League of Women Voters of West Virginia 22 Feb '24

22 Feb '24

[image: lwv msn logo.png] SUPPORT SB 496 <https://www.wvlegislature.gov/bill_status/bills_history.cfm?INPUT=496&year=…>, the CROWN Act, on Senate Judiciary agenda this afternoon. We already asked you to SUPPORT SB 495 <https://www.wvlegislature.gov/bill_status/bills_history.cfm?INPUT=495&year=…>. The two bills are similar, different sponsors. Contact Senate Judiciary Members <https://wvecouncil.org/wv.../senate-judiciary-committee/>.

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Special February Edition of Huntington LWV Newsletter
by League of Women Voters of West Virginia 20 Feb '24

20 Feb '24

---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Beverly Murrell To: Date: Tue, 20 Feb 2024 23:21:16 +0000 (UTC) Subject: Special February Edition of Huntington Newsletter State Board, Local League Presidents and League Friends: Attached is a special edition of the Huntington League of Women Voter's February newsletter. We hope you enjoy it and will be able to help us celebrate this great event. Sincerely, Beverly Murrell Patricia Keller

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SUPPORT Medicaid in WV
by League of Women Voters of West Virginia 19 Feb '24

19 Feb '24

[image: lwv msn logo.png] *SUPPORT Medicaid* for vulnerable West Virginians! Some facts about Medicaid: - In 1965, Medicaid was enacted to be the Federal-state funded health insurance program for certain low-income people. - Because of income levels in WV, hundreds of thousands of our citizens depend on Medicaid for their healthcare. - Medicaid is a bargain for WV -- the Federal government matches *with multiple dollars* every state dollar that goes into Medicaid. - If you aren't eligible for Medicaid, you benefit too, because Medicaid helps healthcare providers in WV stay in business. Now, Medicaid is projected to have a $114 million funding gap. Flat budgets, touted by the Governor and others, don't adapt to rising costs. Some of the ideas being floated in the Legislature to fill the gap will reduce access to health care for Medicaid beneficiaries -- children, families, the elderly -- and will reduce the Federal match. Contact the Senate Finance Committee <https://wvecouncil.org/wv-legislature/senate-finance-committee/> (Chair Sen. Eric Tarr <eric.tarr(a)wvsenate.gov>) and the House Finance Committee <https://wvecouncil.org/wv-legislature/wv-house-finance-committee/> (Chair Del. Vernon Criss <vernon.criss(a)wvhouse.gov>). Tell them to SUPPORT Medicaid and its beneficiaries -- children, families, the elderly -- and reject proposed cuts to this vital program.

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MAKE SOME NOISE to Safeguard Equal Rights & Reject Discrimination
by League of Women Voters of West Virginia 18 Feb '24

18 Feb '24

[image: lwv msn logo.png] *SUPPORT two bills to Safeguard Equal Rights for West Virginians.* *SB 495 <https://www.wvlegislature.gov/bill_status/Bills_history.cfm?input=495&year=…>* would prohibit racial discrimination based on certain hair textures and hairstyles. *SB 744* <https://www.wvlegislature.gov/bill_status/Bills_history.cfm?input=744&year=…> would prohibit civil rights violations based on disability, gender identity or sexual orientation. *Another bill passed by the House of Delegates is in direct conflict with SB 744.* On Feb. 14, the House passed *HB 5243 <https://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/bills_history.cfm?INPUT=5243&year…>*, the fake “Women’s Bill of Rights.” HB 5243 does nothing to protect or enhance the rights of women, but would discriminate against transgender people. All three bills are pending in the Senate Judiciary Committee <https://wvecouncil.org/wv-legislature/senate-judiciary-committee/>. *Tell committee members to protect the rights of West Virginians by passing SB 495 & SB 744, and rejecting HB 5243.* *Time is of the essence*. The legislative session is more than halfway finished and bills we want to see pass are due are out of committees in their house of origin by Feb. 25. *Important note:* Senate Judiciary Chair Charles Trump is the lead sponsor of SB 495 and SB 744. Senators Mike Caputo and Mike Woelfel are co-sponsors of SB 495.

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