Job Fairs

Save the Date! More information to follow. Additional fairs are in the works for Wheeling, Morgantown, Martinsburg, and more.

Click here to stay up-to-date.

Bluefield

Date: March 21

Location: Bluefield State College

Charleston - SEEKING EMPLOYERS BY MARCH 15

Employers click here to register

Date: March 22

Location: Charleston Coliseum & Convention Center

Parkersburg

Date: September 27

Location: West Virginia University at Parkersburg

Beckley

Date: November 1

Location: Beckley Convention Center

Scheduling

Senator Manchin and his office representatives participate in events and meetings across the Mountain State throughout the year. From Skypes with classrooms, to small business ribbon cuttings, job fairs, and Manchin Mobile Mondays -local meetings with Senator Manchin's staff about the issues that matter in your community- the Senator and his office are honored to receive your invitation.

To invite the Senator to your event, click here.

Manchin Mobile Monday

Every Monday, my staff members are available in easily accessed locations across the state to assist with constituent services and to take your thoughts and concerns directly back to me. Below are next week's times and locations for Monday, February 25.

Hinton

Hinton Public Library

201 Temple Street

Time: 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Staff: Regional Coordinator Ali Mitchell

Hurricane

John Henson Senior Center

2800 Putnam Ave.

Time: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Staff: Regional Coordinator Brian Aluise

Charles Town

200 East Washington Street

Time: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Staff: Regional Coordinator Keith McIntosh

From the Hill to the Mountains

Evelyn Roberts

Gayle and I are terribly saddened to hear the news of Evelyn Roberts’ passing. Evelyn lived an incredibly long, lively and productive life of nearly 100 years in our wonderful state. She loved and was loved by all who knew her and dedicated herself to the betterment of hardworking people, especially the members of the United Mine Workers of America, which she dearly loved. She was born and raised in Eskdale and she grew her union roots by spending time with her grandmother, Mother Blizzard, a union activist. She was also the proud wife of a union coal miner and the proud mother of the President of the UMWA. During this incredibly difficult time, our thoughts and prayers are with her son Cecil, her daughters Becky and Lucille, their families, and all of the members of UMWA family that knew her well.

West Virginia Priorities Included in Appropriations Deal

I’m glad Republicans and Democrats have come together on these six appropriations bills to avert another government shutdown. These bills include critical funding to fight the opioid epidemic, expand rural broadband, secure Amtrak service in West Virginia and move forward on implementing Skylar’s Law. Although it took us a long time to get here, I’m glad we’ve finally passed these bills, avoided another harmful government shutdown and funded the border wall and border security.

Click here for a full list of Senator Manchin's priorities.

Bipartisan Letter Concerning the FCC's Broadband Coverage Maps

I was proud to lead a bipartisan letter to Chairman Pai of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), advocating for a public feedback mechanism to allow consumers and states to help inform broadband coverage maps and report any lack of broadband access to the FCC.

Read the full letter here.

Bipartisan Bill to Secure Rural School Funding

Last week I introduced bipartisan legislation to reauthorize the Secure Rural Schools and Self-Determination Program (SRS). The program, which provides $1.7 million to West Virginia counties every year, expired on September 30, 2018. The legislation would extend the program for two years.

Forty-three West Virginia counties receive Secure Rural Schools payments to fund our schools, repair roads and support our law enforcement officials. While I continue to work towards a permanent solution this legislation will provide temporary protections.

Read more here.

VA Accountability Act

Last week, my colleagues and I introduced the VA Provider Accountability Act, legislation that would bring much-needed accountability to the Department of Veterans Affairs.

While a great majority of VA doctors provide the very best of care, the system can be ruined by a few bad apples and it’s our duty to protect Veterans from these dangerous doctors. I originally cosponsored this bill in response to a 2017 GAO report that showed an alarming pattern of concealing poor care and major mistakes within the VA. I am proud to continue to support this bill because we need to hold all our medical professionals accountable. While I appreciate the efforts that the VA has made to correct this on their own, they are not enough. Strict guidelines must be implemented to assure our Veterans they are receiving the highest quality of care, and I believe our legislation provides a fix that can be supported by my colleagues on both sides of the aisle.

Read more here.

Securing Significant WV Wins in Public Lands Package

Last week I secured the permanent reauthorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), the national designation of the Appalachian Forest Heritage Area and an increase in the funding cap for the Wheeling National Heritage Area as part of Natural Resources Management Act.

West Virginia has a rich cultural history and at the core of that is our deep appreciation for the natural wonders we are blessed with. Our little state is as wild as it is wonderful and we take great pride in our access to the great outdoors. I’m proud to have worked with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to finally permanently reauthorize LWCF so our land management agencies can operate fully and without the fear of losing access to the funding they rely on. The Appalachian Forest Heritage Area is a treasure in Randolph County and this national designation is long overdue.

Read more here.

Internships

Click HERE to complete your application.

The deadline for Summer internships is March 1!

On the Road

Big changes are happening at the Summit Bechtel Reserve ahead of the 24th World Scout Jamboree. Bringing this camp to WV was one of my proudest achievements because there’s no better home for the Scouts than right here in West Virginia. We look forward to welcoming Scouts from around the world in July!

Senator Manchin visits the Bechtel Summit Reserve.

As a part of National Entrepreneurship Week, I spoke with WV business leaders at an entrepreneurship and innovation roundtable at WVU Tech. Small businesses and entrepreneurs are doing big things in southern WV and business incubators like HiveWV are helping make ideas into reality.

Senator Manchin speaks at an innovation roundtable at WVU Tech and is joined by Beckley Mayor Rob Rappold and Joe Brouse, Executive Director of the New River Gorge Regional Development Authority.

Wednesday's celebration of the Appalachian Forest Heritage Area‘s impending designation as a national heritage area has been years in the making. I’m glad the Senate approved this in the Natural Resources Management Act, allowing us to showcase our state's cultural & forest heritage.

Senator Manchin speaks at the celebration for the Appalachian Forest Heritage Area.

I was glad to answer questions and hear about the issues that matter to our students and community members at a town hall at WV Wesleyan College this week. Thank you to everyone who joined me in Upshur County!

Senator Manchin hosts a town hall at WV Wesleyan College.

I was thrilled to speak at the USDA ReConnect grant workshop in Buckhannon Wednesday about the importance of expanding broadband access to unserved areas of WV. This program provides $600 million in broadband funding to rural states like WV that need it most.

Senator Manchin speaks at the USDA ReConnect grant workshop in Buckhannon.

I had the pleasure of speaking with some of East Fairmont High School's best and brightest last week from Washington. Thank you all of your excellent questions!

Senator Manchin speaks with students at East Fairmont High School.

Regional Coordinator Mike Browning stopped at the Coast Guard office in Barboursville to present a flag and certificate to Coast Guard officials who were accepting on behalf of Lt. Michael Clausen, who is retiring from the U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit.

Mike Browning visits the Coast Guard office in Barboursville to present a certificate for Lt. Michael Clausen's retirement.

In Honor of National Salute to Veteran Patients Week, my Regional Coordinators made stops at VA hospitals to pay their respects and wish a Happy Valentine's Day to our nation's heroes. Regional Coordinator Ali Mitchell attended the "Sweetheart Social" at the Beckley VA Medical Center.

Veteran Patients attend the Sweetheart Social at the Beckley VAMC.

West Virginia Spotlight

Rev. Eddie H. Edmonds

Thursday morning of last week, Rev. Eddie H. Edmonds of Moler Avenue Church of the Brethren in Martinsburg led the U.S. Senate in its opening prayer. Thank you, Rev. Edmonds, for lifting our nation and its leaders up in prayer as we seek to make the best decisions for all Americans.

Rev. Eddie Edmonds leads the U.S. Senate in its opening prayer.

Do you have a nomination for a Spotlight Feature? Click here to inform my office.

How May We Help You?

I truly appreciate the opportunity to hear from my fellow West Virginians. As your U.S. Senator, I am proud to be your voice with government agencies during your time of need. My goal is to provide top-notch customer service for every West Virginian who contacts me, or who may need help. I have a team of caseworkers in each of my four offices to help you with matters of concern. While I have no direct jurisdiction in the administrative matters of any federal, state, or local agency, I welcome the opportunity to assist you with whatever problem you may be experiencing and ask that full consideration is given to your case.

Mrs. Betsy Moore of Mineral Wells was employed by the government two separate times, each time electing different reduction schedules for basic life insurance. Upon her final retirement, she applied for a continuation of life insurance coverage electing a 50% reduction in coverage. Since August 2018, all efforts to obtain an update from OPM had been unsuccessful. Our office reached out to OPM, they stated that her Federal Employees Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) had been changed to a Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) annuity and in doing so found that they had been withholding her FEGLI premium at an incorrect amount. Mrs. Moore successfully received her refund.

In Your Community

Small Business Administration Seeking Entrepreneurs

Free Executive-Level Business Training Course

The Small Business Administration seeks 20 entrepreneurs throughout West Virginia to participate in a free executive-level business course starting in April.

SBA’s Emerging Leaders program is a free executive-level business training program for established business owners poised for growth. Over the course of seven months at the University of Charleston’s Innovation Center, each participating entrepreneur will learn immediate ways to improve their business and create a three-year strategic growth plan to build a sustainable business of size and scale.

Business owners interested in the program should fill out the online application at www.sba.gov/emergingleaders by March 1. Interise, a non-profit organization specializing in entrepreneurial education, oversees the Emerging Leaders program nationwide. The SBA will review applications and select class participants.

For more information, visit www.sba.gov/emergingleaders, email melissa.loder@sba.gov or call
304-623-7448.

Resource: IRS Provides Options for Taxpayers Who Owe

As taxpayers file their 2018 returns, some may find they owe taxes. Some taxpayers will qualify for a waiver of the estimated tax penalty that normally applies when withholding is not adequate throughout the year. See Form 2210, Underpayment of Estimated Tax by Individuals, Estates and Trusts, and its instructions for details.

To contact the Taxpayer Advocate Service, call1-877-777-4778 or visit taxpayeradvocate.irs.gov

Click here for more details.

To learn more, call my office Toll Free at (855) 275-5737, email me,or find me on social media:

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