West Virginia News – Gov. Patrick Morrisey’s intention to pursue a 5 to 10 percent cut in West Virginia’s personal income tax rates in the upcoming legislative session has set the stage for a high-stakes fiscal debate. Building on a series of previous tax reductions, the move is championed as a necessary step to boost economic competitiveness but is quickly drawing criticism from those who fear the cost to essential public services.
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The governor frames the proposal as an urgent necessity in his “Backyard Brawl” initiative to compete with neighboring states like Kentucky and Ohio, which are also lowering their tax burdens. The central argument is that another cut will stimulate the economy by rewarding work, making the state more affordable for everyday West Virginians grappling with inflation, and signaling to businesses that the Mountain State is fertile ground for investment.
The administration points to strong revenue collections—which have run ahead of projections—as proof that the state can afford the tax cut without sacrificing essential services. These cuts, which could return between an estimated $106 million to $212 million to taxpayers, are part of a broader push to simplify the tax code and align with federal tax relief for families and businesses. Morrisey argues this approach is key to reversing the state’s persistent population decline and low workforce participation rate.
