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Town hall meetings to focus on West Virginia budget

Staff reports

The Parkersburg News and Sentinel

PARKERSBURG, W.Va.  — One of three public meetings to discuss the impact of the West Virginia budget talks on agencies and people will be held 6 p.m. today at the Judge Black Courthouse Annex at 315 Market St.

Meetings also are scheduled in Beckley and Wheeling and will involve discussion about issues, programs and spending affecting the state budget, including potential cuts to education and health care, proposed legislative tax changes and steps individuals can take to help prevent further budget cuts.

The event is sponsored by the Wood County Family Resource Network, Protect West Virginia, the West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy and Our Children Our Future.

Invitations have been forwarded to Wood County legislators, Ashley Way-Fankhauser, executive director of the Wood County Family Resource Network, said.

The Republican-controlled House and Senate and the Democratic Gov. Jim Justice have been at odds over next year’s budget. Justice, who campaigned on no tax increases, proposed a budget of $450 million greater than this year with fee and tax increases. The legislative leaders have proposed budgets without the increased spending.

Also, the Legislature is discussing reforms to the tax system in West Virginia, including a shift from the personal income tax to a consumption-based tax.

For more information, contact the Family Resource Network at 304-420-9574 or email at [email protected]

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