Editor’s Note: The following is a release from the Democrat members of the W.Va. House of Delegates. It is shared as a service to our member newspapers. It is not a news article from our newspapers:
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CHARLESTON. W.Va. — After several failed amendments, Democrats in the House of Delegates were able to successfully amend a provision into House Joint Resolution 13 to increase the Homestead Exemption amount to $40,000.
The House of Delegates voted 50-48 to increase the Homestead Exemption to $40,000. All 36 Democrats were joined by 14 Republicans in support of the resolution while 48 Republicans voted against giving seniors this much needed tax break. “Democrats in the House of Delegates continue to fight for the working class and our state’s senior citizens,” Minority Leader Tim Miley (D-Harrison) stated. “It’s disturbing that the new Republican majority only seems to be focused on Wall Street giveaways while continuing to vote against the seniors and working families in West Virginia,” he continued.
House Joint Resolution 13, The Homestead Exemption Increase Amendment, would be presented to the voters at the next general election.
“Our seniors have not received a homestead exemption increase for three decades, it is time that we put our money where our mouth is and provide some real, tangible assistance to our state’s most vulnerable population,” Delegate Isaac Sponaugle (D-Pendleton) said.
House Joint Resolution 13 was adopted by the full House of Delegates earlier today. The legislation will now be sent to the West Virginia Senate for consideration.