March 2024 - LWVWV members - lists.bikelover.org

April LWV of Huntington Newsletter
by League of Women Voters of West Virginia 28 Mar '24

28 Mar '24

From: Beverly Murrell To: LWVWV Members State Board, Local Board and League Friends: Attached is the Huntington League of Women Voter's newsletter. Enjoy! Beverly Murrell Patricia Keller

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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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LWVWV members March 2024