The state budget is the single most important piece of legislation enacted each year—and the only bill lawmakers are constitutionally required to pass. State legislators must use the final two weeks of the legislative session to ensure the budget process is as transparent as possible, fully fund critical safety net programs, and protect state revenues…
Tax and Budget
Last week the House Finance committee originated legislation to reduce the state's severance tax on metallurgical coal (coal used for the production of steel) by 30 percent, from 5 percent to 3.5 percent over the next three years. While the bill was advanced by the committee without a fiscal note, testimony during the debate suggested…
For Immediate Release: March 2, 2026 Contact: Kelly Allen, (304)-612-4180 CHARLESTON, WV — This morning, a coalition of education, health care, faith-based, and child-focused organizations gathered at the state Capitol to deliver a clear and urgent message to our lawmakers: West Virginians deserve investment in people, care, and public infrastructure, not reckless tax cuts that favor the wealthiest…
For Immediate Release: February 26, 2026 Contact: Kelly Allen, (304)-612-4180 CHARLESTON, WV — On Monday, March 2 at 10:30am, a coalition of education, health care, faith-based, and child-focused organizations will gather at the state Capitol to deliver a clear and urgent message: West Virginians deserve investment in people, care, and public infrastructure, not reckless tax cuts that favor…
West Virginia News - After previously considering a bill that would have made significant changes to the Hope Scholarship, the West Virginia House of Delegates Committee on Finance advanced a measure Thursday that would require the program’s payments be distributed to recipients quarterly. Read the full article. Under the proposal, students would receive payments on…
Lootpress - Public education is designed to give every child regardless of socioeconomic status a true chance to improve their lot in life and achieve success. Horace Mann famously called public education the “great equalizer of the conditions of men.” And founding father John Adams said education was so important that “no expense…would be too extravagant.” Read the…
Mountain State Spotlight - Last week, the House Finance Committee rolled out a bill that would cap Hope Scholarship recipients to $5,250 awards, break payments up from biannually to quarterly and tighten what the scholarship could be used for. Read the full article. The reaction was immediate. Gov. Patrick Morrisey publicly called out House Finance Chair Del.…
Mountain State Spotlight, West Virginia Daily News, West Virginia News - To attract new businesses to Preston County, local officials are doing the work of securing environmental permits, teams of engineers and regulatory approval to prepare land for development. Read the full article. It often costs more than what the county’s economic development office can…
West Virginia Public Broadcasting - The House Finance Committee has approved a budget for the consideration of the full chamber. Read the full article. The committee recommended House Bill 4027, its own version of the state budget, to the full House of Delegates Thursday. The bill maintains Gov. Patrick Morrisey’s proposed general revenue budget of close…
This week, the Senate Finance Committee approved SB 392, Governor Morrisey's proposed 10 percent personal income tax cut at a cost of $250 million in revenue annually, as well as their changes to the FY 2027 budget. Like the governor's budget, the Senate balances their budget by relying heavily on one-time surplus and supplemental funding,…