| Time To Come Together On Police Reform |
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The JUSTICE Act would increase transparency, expand accountability, and improve law enforcement training, helping make a real difference in communities across the country.
Yet, Senate Democrats blocked the Senate from even having a debate on the bill. There is room for common ground on police reform but they are demanding my way or the highway and yesterday Speaker Pelosi offered a partisan proposal that was crafted without any input from Republicans or any ability to amend it. Its upsetting they would rather play political games than find a bipartisan solution.
To read my full statement, click here.
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| Investing In Energy Efficiency |
This week, I joined my colleagues in introducing bipartisan legislation to help save energy efficiency jobs during and after the coronavirus pandemic. This bipartisan legislation will help the energy efficiency sector retain jobs and invest in much-needed training to create new opportunities in the workforce.
This is vital at a time when as more than 45 million Americans have filed for unemployment benefits since mid-March.
The energy sector has been hit hard due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This bill adds immediate assistance by helping create jobs, while investing in long-term solutions on reducing energy cost for homeowners. Job creation across all energy sectors is going to help our economy get back to where it was before the health and economic crisis. This legislation is just commonsense and a win for the environment and economy.
For more information, click here.
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| West Virginia Awarded $1M |
West Virginia was awarded $1,000,000 from the COPS Anti-Methamphetamine to assist state-level law enforcement agencies in combating the illegal manufacturing and distribution of methamphetamine, heroin, fentanyl, carfentanil, and prescription opioids.
To learn more, click here.
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| West Virginia Strong - The Comeback Plan |
Last month, Governor Jim Justice announced his plan for reopening the economy. Reopening will not happen suddenly, but with time. We should be able to open in a safe and cautious manner as long as we continue to follow the social distancing guidelines.
Phase one began on Thursday, April 30th. From there, each phase of the reopening process for Weeks 2-6 will begin on Monday of each subsequent week. Currently, we are in week 9 of the reopening phase. COVID-19 case numbers will continue to be monitored throughout the entire reopening process.
The STAY-AT-HOME order was lifted on Sunday, May 3rd and a SAFER-AT-HOME was put in place on Monday, May 4th.
Week 9 events that opened this week:
- Youth sports games with spectators
- Outdoor sporting events with spectators
- Outdoor equestrian events with spectators
- Outdoor motorsport and powersport racing with spectators
- In-person high school graduation ceremonies (Guidance from WV Dept. of Education)
For more information on Governor Justice's plan, click here.
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| Small Business Assistance |
o date, over 16,000 West Virginia small businesses have benefited from the Paycheck Protection Program! Applications are OPEN for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL). The EIDL loans EIDL Advance program portal is now OPEN to all small businesses owners experiencing economic impact from COVID-19 ! Small business owners can visit the SBA website for more information on what programs may be best for your business.
Who is eligible for PPP? Small businesses with fewer than 500 employees, non-profits, sole proprietors, self-employed, independent contractors, and gig economy workers. The PPP is a forgivable loan, if an employer maintains its payroll, then the portion of the PPP loan used for covered payroll costs, interest on mortgage obligations, rent, and utilities would be forgiven.
REMINDER: You have until June 30th to apply for the Paycheck Protection Program!
My office is collecting stories from small businesses in West Virginia that have received/benefited from the Paycheck Protection Program. If you are interested in sharing your story, click here!
For more information on PPP, click here.
For more information on EIDL, click here.
To share your story of PPP, click here.
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| Did You Complete the 2020 Census? |
West Virginia is lagging behind on the self-response rate to the 2020 census. The national average rate of completion is 61.7%, whereas in West Virginia the self-response rate is 53.3%. When you respond to the census, you help your community gets its fair share of money per year in federal funds spent on schools, hospitals, roads, public works and other vital programs. Complete the census online, by mail, or call-in so you can be counted!
For more information on the census, click here.
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| CDC Recommendations |
We encourage everyone to follow the CDC recommendations on how to help protect yourself and others.
Take these steps to protect yourself:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, which the chorus to Country Roads lasts about that long.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% of alcohol.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Put distance between yourself and other people if COVID-19 is spreading in the community.
- Wear a cloth face covering in public settings.
Take these steps to protect others:
- Stay home if you are except to receive medical care.
- Cover coughs and sneezes with tissues and throw away the tissue.
- Clean and disinfect touched surface areas daily.
For more updated information from the CDC click here.
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| West Virginia State Resources |
Over two thousand COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in West Virginia as of today. The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources established a toll-free hotline for questions from the public and medical providers concerning the pandemic. The department also has a website with the most up-to-date information regarding the confirmed and pending cases.
Click here for more information.
West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources
Toll-Free Hotline 24/7
1- 800 - 887- 4304
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