From the Times West Virginian: West Virginia needs a plan. Let’s say it even more strongly. West Virginia’s leaders desperately must come up with a plan to both resolve the state’s budget for the next fiscal year and chart a path toward a better future. It’s not enough to continue[Read More…]
Government
Statehouse Beat: Questions and answers about the budget
By Phil Kabler The Charleston Gazette-Mail Now that we can officially declare a state budget impasse for a second year in a row, time for some FAQ about the budget crisis. (I don’t want to say I told you so, but the events of the special session, as of press-time,[Read More…]
Opinion: Business perspective is vital in weighing taxes
By Steve Roberts West Virginia Chamber of Commerce West Virginia’s business tax climate ranking was the third worst in the nation just a dozen years ago. Our state bore the dubious rank of 47th in the nation when ranked among the 50 states for business tax competitiveness. Our corporate net income[Read More…]
Opinion: House leadership optimistic break will foster budget compromise, prevent waste
Release from the W.Va. House of Delegates CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Leaders of the House of Delegates today said they believe the 10-day break in the Legislature’s special session will foster a compromise on the state’s budget situation while protecting taxpayers from having to pay the $35,000-a-day cost to continue the[Read More…]
Opinion: Spending plan key component to W.Va. Special Legislative Session
From The Intelligencer of Wheeling: Low-tax advocates in the West Virginia House of Delegates are not unreasonable men and women. House Speaker Tim Armstead, R-Kanawha, signaled as much Thursday, when he told a reporter a new state budget that “barely increases taxes”might be acceptable. But the $300 million boost in[Read More…]
Opinion: Justice fiasco at special session
From The Journal of Martinsburg: To borrow from one of Gov. Jim Justice’s favorite types of analogy, when West Virginia legislators returned to Charleston at his call Thursday, they were handed a silver platter full of … nothing. Last week, Justice issued his call for a special session of the[Read More…]
West Virginia Legislature adjourns without budget bill
By JOSELYN KING For The Parkersburg News and Sentinel CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The next move for West Virginia lawmakers working to pass a 2018 budget is to go home for 10 days. A special session of the Legislature adjourned Friday after Senate members passed a revenue bill needed for the[Read More…]
WV House again rejects bill; 10-day recess called
Jake Zuckerman The Charleston Gazette-Mail CHARLESTON, W.Va. — In a floundering start to a special session convened to create a budget for the coming fiscal year, the House of Delegates has rejected two versions of the same budget framework, the Legislature has recessed until May 15 and West Virginia’s budget[Read More…]
W.Va. Legislature agrees on a week recess
By David Beard The Dominion Post CHARLESTON, W.Va. — On day two of the special legislative session Friday, the Senate passed its revenue bill; an hour later, the House killed it. Both sides agreed to take a week off so leadership and the governor can negotiate without costing taxpayers $35,000[Read More…]
Without budget deal, Legislature to take next week off
By LACIE PIERSON The Herald-Dispatch CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Members of the 83rd West Virginia Legislature left Charleston with something of an idealistic compromise and nothing in terms of a budget or completed legislation Friday evening. The Republican-controlled Senate and House of Delegates approved resolutions to adjourn from the special legislative[Read More…]