For Immediate Release: November 8, 2022
Contact: Kelly Allen, (304)-612-4180
Charleston, WV – Kelly Allen, executive director of the West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy, released the following statement in response to the defeat of Amendments 2 and 4:
“These results are a win for West Virginia workers, families, students, and teachers. Together, West Virginians rejected the flawed premise that tax giveaways to out-of-state corporations would bring prosperity to our communities. Voters prioritized local control and funding for our schools, fire departments, emergency response, and libraries, as well as the jobs they create. And they said no to politicizing our classrooms by taking education decisions away from education experts and giving them to partisan politicians.
“The WVCBP stood with firefighters, teachers, local leaders, workers, and families to defeat these harmful Amendments. We gave over 75 presentations in 30 counties, sent 21,000 postcards to West Virginians explaining the harms these amendments would cause, and had countless conversations with our neighbors. By coming together, we defeated the special interests who sought to undermine the public services that make our communities safe and thriving places to live.
“This result shows West Virginians want well-funded schools and public services. When the new legislature convenes, the WVCBP will continue to educate West Virginians on the potential impacts of any tax reform proposals—such as the proposal to eliminate the income tax—that would slash revenue, spur layoffs, and leave working people and our communities behind.”
