From the Wheeling News-Register: Changing a state’s entire tax structure is a laborious, time-consuming process full of pitfalls. Try to do it at the same time you are attempting to enact a new budget and the frustrations have to be incredible. They certainly have been in West Virginia. Whether one[Read More…]
Government
Auditor: W.Va. budget debacle could affect July payroll
By JOSELYN KING The Intelligencer of Wheeling WHEELING, W.Va. — West Virginia Auditor J.B. McCuskey says if lawmakers pass a budget by the end of this week, his office should have no problem paying state workers and meeting other financial obligations come next month. But issues could arise, he said,[Read More…]
W.Va. Turnpike tolls doubling?
By CHARLIE BOOTHE Bluefield Daily Telegraph CHARLESTON, W.Va. — If Gov. Jim Justice’s plans for the West Virginia Turnpike come to fruition, toll fees may double, but passenger cars could use the toll road as often as they like for only $8 a year. “If House Bill 103 passes in[Read More…]
Statehouse Beat — Is another budget debacle ‘business friendly’?
By Phil Kabler The Charleston Gazette-Mail Quote of the week: “This is a dysfunctional group. They’re good people, but this is silly.” — Gov. Jim Justice, on the Legislature’s inability to pass a 2017-18 state budget or accompanying revenue plan. With the special session of the Legislature recessed until Monday,[Read More…]
Column: Don’t let natural gas prices mislead you
From The Charleston Gazette-Mail: By Philip A. Reale Law Office of Philip A. Reale Recently, the state announced that Severance Tax Collections for the end of May were $40 million ahead of estimates. Much of the improvement in severance tax collections was attributed to the increase in the price of[Read More…]
At the Capitol: Little finalized on budget, June 5-9
By Phil Kabler For the West Virginia Press Association CHARLESTON, W.Va. — After a total of 15 days in special session, legislators adjourned for the weekend on Friday, with the bulk of issues – a revenue plan, 2017-18 budget bill, funding for the governor’s road-building initiatives, and a furlough[Read More…]
Senate faction proposes income tax triggers based on rising sales tax revenue
By RUSTY MARKS The State Journal CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Republican leaders involved in a conference committee to work out a compromise on a West Virginia tax and revenue bill have proposed rolling back income tax rates based on increases in sales tax revenue. The committee is considering a tax and[Read More…]
Tax changes hashed out in WV conference committee
By PHIL KABLER Charleston Gazette-Mail CHARLESTON, W.Va. — With an apparent consensus growing for the framework of a state revenue plan — now including an increase in the sales tax to 6.5 percent and an initial three-step reduction in income tax rates — a West Virginia House-Senate conference committee focused[Read More…]
WV revenue bill sent to committee
By PHIL KABLER Charleston Gazette-Mail CHARLESTON, W.Va. — With no resolution to the legislative budget impasse, West Virginia lawmakers took a new direction Wednesday, on the 13th day of the special session, putting a revenue measure (House Bill 107) into a House-Senate conference committee. That follows days of informal, closed-door[Read More…]
Conference committee to hammer out West Virginia tax reform
By JOSELYN KING The Intelligencer and Wheeling News-Register WHEELING, W.Va. — The West Virginia Legislature is close to achieving an agreement on tax reform — and overcoming a major obstacle en route to a 2018 state budget. On Wednesday, Senate and House leadership named members to a conference committee tasked[Read More…]
