While the politicians may try and tell you that our state is doing fine, West Virginia families know better. Economically, West Virginia ranks amongst the poorest states in the nation. The numbers indicate that clearly not enough is being done to provide good-paying jobs to our state's residents.

• West Virginia's average income has ranked either 48th or 49th in the nation for the last two decades. Latest figures indicate that the average West Virginian earns nearly $8,500 less than the average worker in other states. Russell S. Sobel, Unleashing Capitalism: Why prosperity stops at the West Virginia border and how to fix it.


• Sadly, 15.5% of West Virginia families live below the federal poverty line, a nearly 63% difference from the national average. "Census Bureau report details state's various rankings," The Charleston Gazette, February 15, 2007.


• West Virginia's "closed for business" climate may hit our children the hardest. One recent national study found that in 2005, 39% of West Virginia's children lived in homes "where no parent has full-time, year-round employment," a statistic that ranks us 5th worst in the nation. "Adults with low educational skills hamper W.Va. economy," The Associated Press, July 29, 2007.


• One reason West Virginians don't make as much is because they don't have the job opportunities that exist in other states. Recent Census Bureau figures indicate that more businesses have closed than opened in West Virginia of late. While the nation as a whole experienced a growth in job providers, our state lost 1,000 more job providers than it gained. "Census Bureau report details state's various rankings," The Charleston Gazette, February 15, 2007.


• The federal Bureau of Economic Analysis released a study showing that West Virginia's Gross Domestic Product increased by only 0.6% between 2005 and 2006, a rate of growth which is second worst in the nation. "By the Numbers," The State Journal, June 15, 2007.