WV CHILD POVERTY Senators Look To Fix Child Support, Revoked Licenses
Reported by: Associated Press
Web Producer: Heath Harrison
Reported: Mar. 20, 2013 3:25 PM EDT
Eyewitness News Photo
Charleston
, Kanawha County
, West Virginia
A West Virginia Senate committee on childhood poverty is looking at two small fixes to help address poverty.
On Wednesday the committee discussed easing the punishments for failure to pay child support and making it easier for drivers with suspended licenses to get them back.
The senators heard from Rev. Matthew Watts, who said it helps nobody to put people in jail for not paying child support, because people cannot earn money to make payments from jail.
Senators expect a bill addressing this problem to be introduced by Friday.
Sen. William Laird said that 54,000 people in the state have had their drivers' licenses suspended for not paying fines. He noted that in the state's rural areas being unable to drive usually means you can't get a job.
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Associated Press
