The Fast Fast Facts on "Right to Work" Check out our second edition of Fast Facts. This issue explains the real meaning of "Right to Work" and its broken promise of economic growth in states that have adopted it. It's a policy that could actually lower wages in West Virginia which already has a median…
Budget Beat
Check Out Fast Facts! This summer we are launching a series of short publications to present the facts on issues of the day. Our premiere issue of Fast Facts is about the ongoing debate on the state's prevailing wage. This quick read will give you everything you need to know on this important issue impacting…
Congress Must Save Tax Credits that Help Veteran and Military Families Congress has a chance this year to save key provisions of pro-work tax credits that help 15,000 veteran and military families make ends meet. This Fourth of July, let's honor our veterans and men and women in uniform by making sure these tax credits…
This Father's Day: Helping Working Fathers Two working-family tax credits, the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC), are powerful tools for reducing children's poverty and helping families put food on the table, while boosting the local economy. About 13 million fathers in low- and moderate-income working families received either the EITC…
Income Tax Cuts for Wealthy Unlikely To Boost West Virginia Economy As the legislative committee charged with overhauling the state's tax system continues its regular meetings, concerns continue over what recommendations will emerge from this process. Reducing or outright eliminating the state's personal income tax has been a regular topic of discussion before the committee.…
How Will Tax Overhaul Affect West Virginia Counties? As state legislators consider an overhaul of the state's tax system, some of the most concerned onlookers are local and county officials. This week some of them spoke publicly about being able to maintain services and funding for schools while facing a cut in revenue, especially when…
Second Meeting Held to Look at Tax Overhaul The history of West Virginia's previous efforts to overhaul its tax system and an overview of tax breaks going back over 100 years were on Monday's agenda of the Joint Select Committee of Tax Reform. Speakers included Revenue Secretary Bob Kiss and Deputy Secretary Mark Muchow at…
Tax Reform for the People April 15 is right around the corner and whether you are expecting a refund or writing that check, it's a good time to reflect on the mind-bending systems called our tax code. The federal income tax is progressive, meaning that it doesn't unfairly and disproportionately tax low-income people. West Virginia's…
2016 Budget Becomes Law After making several line-item vetos, on Monday Governor Tomblin signed the 2016 budget bill into law. As we mentioned last week, legislators made changes to the budget bill, including increasing the amount borrowed from the state's Rainy Day fund to about $23 million to balance the budget. The governor's vetos, however,…
Hits and Misses of 2015 Legislative Session Midnight on Saturday marked the final moment of the 2015 Legislative Session. With new leadership in both the Senate and House of Delegates, there were a lot of initiatives introduced that we have been following with you over the past 60 days. Here's a recap: Good News While…