Last week, the House swiftly passed an income tax reduction plan (HB 4892) that could lead to large budget deficits while giving most of the tax cuts to high-income West Virginians. While the bill is convoluted and vague, it is apparent it will have large fiscal ramifications for the state on top of eventually eliminating…
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As the 2020 Legislative Session heads down the home stretch, attention now turns to the state budget. While budget proposed by the governor at the beginning of the legislative session showed little change from the previous year, there will likely be some adjustments made, as a number of revenue reducing bills are currently working their…
Yesterday, we took a look at the Senate's version of the FY 2021 budget. Now the House has unveiled their version, and as in the Senate, there are a number of changes made from the governor's proposal. The House has three revenue bills that will reduce the General Revenue Fund by $6.1 million in FY…
With crossover day behind us and most major pieces of legislation in place, the Senate began work on the FY 2021 budget this week, presenting their version of the budget bill in the Senate Finance Committee. The Senate has made a number of changes to the Governor's proposed budget, both on the revenue and spending…
On Monday, the WV Senate narrowly passed Senate Bill 528, which would make it easier for corporations in West Virginia to classify workers as independent contractors rather than employees. This bill, based on model legislation prepared by ALEC, is similar, but far more expansive, than a house bill that passed out of House Industry and Labor…
On top of Senate Bill 655 that would reduce local property tax revenues from natural gas extraction, there are also several bills moving in the House that would give sizable tax reductions to natural gas and coal corporations. House BIll 4439 would expand a 35% tax credit on the coal severance tax that was passed…
A bill recently passed by the Senate would change how natural gas property is valued for property tax purposes, and could have a major impact on local governments throughout the state. At issue is how the State Tax Department calculates production expenses on natural gas wells. When valuing oil and natural gas wells for property…
Senate Republicans unveiled their latest proposal to eliminate the business personal property tax this week, passing the proposal out of the Senate Finance Committee. The plan, which builds upon an earlier proposal to eliminate the property tax on manufacturing equipment, machinery, and inventory, would blow a nearly $100 million hole in the state budget, introduce…
Earlier this month, a federal appeals court affirmed the decision of a US District Judge striking down the legality of Medicaid work reporting requirements in Arkansas. This is an important new development on top of federal district courts halting these programs in Kentucky and New Hampshire. While the court decision only applies to the injunction…
Too often, West Virginians are forced to choose between financial/job security and taking care of themselves, a new child, or a seriously ill family member. Recognizing these problems, legislators have introduced three strong bills this session to provide paid family and medical leave (PFML). PFML policies help families achieve financial security, strengthen businesses and the public-sector,…