http://blog.wvpolicy.orgQuick Blogcasthttp://blog.wvpolicy.org/2012/02/14/a-story-of-taxing-minerals-wyoming-vs-west-virginia.aspx#comment-15934798The WV Legislature must act on this, otherwise we will assume they have been<br />bought-out by the coal and natural gas<br />industries. Or, are they gutless?<br />Harold D. Brown, ParkersburgHarold D.Brown2012-02-15T00:23:43Zhttp://blog.wvpolicy.org/2011/12/19/opeb-cap-costs-public-employees-5-billion.aspx#comment-14234768Renate, I totally agree about the health care costs. They sounded the alarm. and these were the assumptions that governed the debate on OPEB. I tried (unsuccessfully) to show why these assumptions were wrong, but nobody in power questioned them. In fact, they went unchallenged and were a major factor in pressing for capping the benefits.Ted Boettner2011-12-20T19:35:08Zhttp://blog.wvpolicy.org/2011/12/19/opeb-cap-costs-public-employees-5-billion.aspx#comment-14185010If health care costs increase at the rate predicted by the chart, it won't just be public employees, who will lose money. We will all be in the poor house. In the future, health coverage may be cheaper in the private sector than through PEIA. And may be subsidized by the federal government. So, it's not a good idea to be sounding this alarm now.Renate Pore2011-12-19T22:08:25Zhttp://blog.wvpolicy.org/2011/10/14/the-middle-class-has-missed-out.aspx#comment-12762572One question: WHO are the top earners?Natassia2011-11-09T19:04:31Zhttp://blog.wvpolicy.org/2011/09/07/does-government-size-matter.aspx#comment-11646919WOW. This is a great analysis. A myths and facts paper about govt and economic growth; taxes and economic development - addressing all the GOP assertions that are totally without evidence.Renate Pore2011-09-08T19:46:42Zhttp://blog.wvpolicy.org/2011/07/29/educational-attain.aspx#comment-11247278A complete breakdown by all industries would take some digging, but would be interesting to have. Overall numbers are easier to get. In 2010, 49.1% of West Virginia's labor force (which includes both people who employed and unemployed but seeking work) had a high school degree or less, while 50.1% had at least some college education, compared to the 75/25 split Ted showed in his post for coal. So while individual industries will vary, the workers in the coal industry have generally lower levels of education than the rest of the labor force in West Virginia.Sean O'Leary2011-08-01T17:56:35Zhttp://blog.wvpolicy.org/2011/07/29/educational-attain.aspx#comment-11237028A chart with educational attainment for all industries would be helpful. Is educational attainment less than average for coal mining?LdeG2011-07-29T22:45:01Zhttp://blog.wvpolicy.org/2011/06/22/life-expectancy-of-west-virginians-falling-further-behind.aspx#comment-10666306According to the CDC precription drug related deaths have more tha tripled in WV over the past decade... A very important variable which has not been included in this studyJonathan2011-06-23T13:49:54Zhttp://blog.wvpolicy.org/2011/06/22/life-expectancy-of-west-virginians-falling-further-behind.aspx#comment-10609742West Virginia's life expectancy numbers are tragic -- especially those in the southern coal fields. The article is no doubt correct in citing smoking, obesity, and high blood pressure as contributing factors. However, it fails to mention another factor that is very likely the most powerful of all -- emigration.<br /><br />We're all familiar with the massive losses in population suffered by many parts of the state, but we're less aware of the fact that those who emigrate tend to be younger, better educated, and, with respect to the topic of this article, healthier than those who stay behind. That fact, as much as the reasons cited in the article, reduces average life expectancy figures. <br /><br />A more thorough discussion of the social, economic, and health impact of emigration can be seen at my blog: http://asitisheard.blogspotcom/2010_08_01_archive.html.<br /><br />The fact that emigration is a major contributor to lower average life expectancy doesn't diminish the need to improve lifestyles and reduce the prevalence of preventable diseases. But, it does suggest that, as with many health issues, there are economic and poverty-related factors that cannot be ignored.Sean O'Leary2011-06-22T19:41:25Zhttp://blog.wvpolicy.org/2011/06/06/28-of-personal-income-in-west-virginia--comes-from-transfer-payments-highest-in-nation.aspx#comment-10088059You are absolutely right with that observation. In fact, I made a post awhile back making that exact point: <div><br /> </div> <div><a href="http://blog.wvpolicy.org/2010/07/08/transfer-payments-and-west-virginias-economy.aspx">http://blog.wvpolicy.org/2010/07/08/transfer-payments-and-west-virginias-economy.aspx</a></div>Sean O'Leary2011-06-07T14:30:00Z