West Virginia MetroNews – With big wins on Election Night, Republican leaders in West Virginia are already talking about how they’ll use their dominance to push policy, particularly changes to the tax code. Read the full article.
Gov. Jim Justice today on MetroNews’ “Talkline” said his top priority is a long, hard look at eliminating the state income tax.
Meanwhile, House Speaker Roger Hanshaw suggested the Republican-dominated Legislature may examine how to take more control over tax policy in West Virginia, particularly equipment and inventory taxes.
Kelly Allen, executive director of the West Virginia Center on Budget & Policy economic think tank, urged caution when tinkering with the tax code. She was responding to comments made today by Justice and Hanshaw.
“The way to grow West Virginia is by investing in our people, not by eliminating nearly half of our state’s general revenue,” Allen stated.
“Efforts to eliminate the business inventory tax and the personal income tax both give disproportionate tax breaks to a few wealthier West Virginians and out-of-state corporations at the cost of working West Virginians—either through regressive tax increases or cuts to critical public services.
