Connect with us

West Virginia

Justice says WV's surplus will trigger income tax cut, calls on lawmakers to lower tax another 5% • West Virginia Watch

Published

on

Justice says WV's surplus will trigger income tax cut, calls on lawmakers to lower tax another 5% • West Virginia Watch


About four months out from an election that could make him West Virginia’s next U.S. senator, Gov. Jim Justice on Monday announced that the state has hit the trigger to phase out its personal income taxes while also directing the Legislature to convene for a special session to increase those tax cuts by another 5%.

The tax cuts that were triggered this week are based on revenue collections from fiscal year 2024, which came about $826 million above estimates. They will be enacted between 3% and 4%, though details for exactly what they will look like will be released on July 11, according to a news release. 

“We’ve got another surplus of numbers that are just un-flat-believable in every way,” Justice said. “$826 million … today, with the tax cuts that we have in place and all that has been done, another $826 million. If you don’t believe that that’s a miracle from God above, you got something wrong with you …” 

According to an analysis from the West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy, the average West Virginia family will see about 85 cents per week from these cuts, or about $44 per year.

Advertisement

“When you look at the loss of child care subsidies or increases in the price of tuition, that amount of money is not going to address all of those needs,” said Kelly Allen, director of the center. “That’s too small for most families to notice or for it to make a difference in their lives. Contrast that with the paralysis this has caused at the Legislature and the collective impact on the state budget is huge while it’s so minimal for our families.”

To date, no replacement revenue stream has been created or announced to help fill what will end up being a decline in the state’s income due to these cuts. The tax cuts that are already set to take place — and the larger ones the governor said Monday he wants to see — will also occur permanently year over year, presenting a long-term decline in the state’s largest general revenue stream.

“There are still so many needs that are going unmet in this state and now, to promise additional tax cuts when that is still happening, well it’s reckless,” Allen said.

In his announcement Monday, Justice said he would also ask lawmakers in any special session call to — “first and foremost” — pass the child care tax credit he proposed during this year’s regular session. The proposal would create a tax credit equal to 50% of the allowable federal child and dependent care credit. It would benefit more than 16,000 families, according to the governor’s office. 

“It was $4.2 million,” Justice said. “It’s next to nothing. But do you not understand that really and truly what we need in this state now is young people? We need people with young families that go to our schools and all that stuff.”

Advertisement

For Allen, the governor calling for the child tax credit while simultaneously lauding a tax cut that could total less than $50 annually for most families and asking for another cut presented somewhat of a disconnect between himself and the needs of the state.

“It struck me that there is all this work being done to get Medicaid back to pre-pandemic levels, to ensure child care doesn’t lose ground and many other things,” Allen said. “It’s hard to focus on those things and prioritize them while talking about tax cuts.”

Senate Finance Chair Eric Tarr, R-Putnam, said in a statement Monday that the state is “on track” with spending forecasts and that he “expect[s]” to see further tax cuts come in the future. He did not comment specifically on whether doing so would be feasible in a special session this year.

“Regarding the Legislature, controlling spending growth and investing in ourselves has been the practice that helped us here, and will continue to decrease demand on West Virginia tax payers,” Tarr said. “I’m beyond excited to see so many of our ideas and efforts validated by West Virginia’s growth.”

Justice urged state lawmakers to not “be afraid” about enacting the further cuts. 

Advertisement

“I’m going to challenge you in every way to find some way, somehow, if it can be done and still minding the store in absolutely the most prudent way we possibly can,” Justice said. “But for God-sakes-a-livin’, don’t be afraid. Don’t be afraid.”

Justice acknowledged that work will need to be done later down the line to “stabilize ourselves and keep ourselves going” if legislators do increase tax cuts or dip into the state’s income tax reserve fund to do so, which he specifically outlined as an option on Monday.

That work, however, and any of the repercussions that come with it will likely not be faced by Justice as he is seeking a six-year term in the U.S. Senate.

“The governor is on his way out the door so any consequences of current and additional tax cuts will really be borne by the next governor and the next legislature,” Allen said. “This governor has a history of not paying enough attention to the future impacts of policy decisions … we haven’t seen a six-year spending forecast in years, and that used to be the norm. Legislators are now being asked to enact additional tax cuts without any future information on the spending needs of the state.”

Justice said the special session call could come in August or September. It would be the second one called since the regular legislative session ended in March. 

Advertisement

In May, Justice called lawmakers for a special session to address budget issues. During the three-day session, lawmakers passed a bill giving more than $180 million to the Department of Human Services. Child care was not included in the call for that session. 

In a statement, state Democratic Party Chairman Mike Pushkin criticized Justice for not saying where the additional 5% in income tax cuts would come from. He said that the state needs “real, actionable solutions to the state’s most pressing problems rather than short-term political maneuvers.”

“Jim Justice is using tax dollars as if they were an extension of his campaign committee,” said Del. Pushkin, D-Kanawha. “He has no plan for how to come up with the money it would take to further reduce taxes, he just feels like there’s a way to do it. This isn’t a tax cut; it’s an attempted bribe.”



Source link

Advertisement

West Virginia

Why is Popular Bracketologist Still Considering West Virginia for NCAA Tournament?

Published

on

Why is Popular Bracketologist Still Considering West Virginia for NCAA Tournament?


Losing to Kansas State wiped away all hope for West Virginia to make the NCAA Tournament. That seems to be the clear consensus in the Mountain State, but is there actually still a chance? Well, I guess so.

Advertisement

ESPN bracketologist Joe Lunardi still has West Virginia listed as a team to consider, the second team outside of the “next four out” grouping.

Lunardi’s current NCAA Tournament bubble

Advertisement

Feb 28, 2026; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers guard Honor Huff (3) shoots a three point shot over BYU Cougars guard Robert Wright III (1) during the second half at Hope Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-Imagn Images | Ben Queen-Imagn Images

Advertisement

Last Four Byes: Missouri, Texas A&M, Texas, Ohio State

Last Four In: SMU, Santa Clara, New Mexico, Indiana

First Four Out: VCU, Auburn, Virginia Tech, Cincinnati

Next Four Out: San Diego State, USC, California, Seton Hall

Advertisement

Next: Stanford, West Virginia, Oklahoma, Arizona State

How is this even possible?

Advertisement

Feb 28, 2026; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers head coach Ross Hodge watched a play from the sideline during the first half against the BYU Cougars at Hope Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-Imagn Images | Ben Queen-Imagn Images

Advertisement

Short answer? I don’t really know.

My best guess as to why? Two things: the respect for the Big 12 and the opportunities left on the table, and two, an incredibly weak bubble.

Should West Virginia beat UCF on Friday, it will give the Mountaineers a 9-9 record in Big 12 play. That’s not as much of a guarantee to make the dance as having a winning record, but still, it’s an impressive mark, especially when, in this instance, they would have wins over Kansas, BYU, and sweeps over Cincinnati and UCF.

If you ask me, they still have too many bad losses for it to matter. I mean, even if they got red-hot out of nowhere and made it to the Big 12 championship game next week, is that enough? Potentially, but that’s a big IF.

Advertisement

The one thing WVU does have on its side is the number of Quad 1 wins, which they have five of. Virtually every other team in college basketball that has a minimum of five Quad 1 victories is expected to make the tournament. In that previously mentioned scenario, they would add at least one more Quad 1 win in the conference tournament, giving the committee something to think about.

Advertisement

The bubble is just incredibly weak, though. Like, how in the world is Auburn, who is 16-14 currently, the second team out of the field? Cincinnati, which WVU swept and has the same record as, is the fourth team in the “first four out” grouping.

At this point, the only path I see is for the Mountaineers to cut down the nets in Kansas City — good luck with that. We could be having a very different conversation if they didn’t lallygag their way through the first 30 minutes of the games against Utah and Kansas State.



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

West Virginia

Buckle up: West Virginia launching seatbelt enforcement campaign Friday

Published

on

Buckle up: West Virginia launching seatbelt enforcement campaign Friday


Buckle up, Upshur County. Starting Friday, March 6, law enforcement officers across West Virginia will step up seatbelt enforcement as part of a statewide Click It or Ticket campaign running through March 23.

The West Virginia Governor’s Highway Safety Program (GHSP) announced the high-visibility mobilization as a warm-up to the national seatbelt campaign in May. The goal is to ensure every occupant — front seat or back, driver or passenger — is buckled on every trip.

“During this mobilization, law enforcement officers across West Virginia will be out in full force. They will be strictly ticketing drivers who are unbuckled or who are transporting children not properly restrained in car seats,” said Jack McNeely, Director of the GHSP.

The numbers behind the campaign are sobering. In 2023, 40% of passenger vehicle occupants killed in West Virginia crashes were unrestrained. The state’s seatbelt usage rate has also slipped — from 91.9% in 2024 to 91.6% in 2025.

Advertisement

Rural drivers face elevated risk despite a common assumption that country roads are safer. In 2023, 65% of the state’s traffic fatalities occurred in rural areas, compared to 35% in urban centers.

Under West Virginia law, wearing a seatbelt is required. A citation carries a $25 fine, though McNeely says the real point isn’t the penalty.

“Click It or Ticket isn’t about the citations; it’s about saving lives,” he said. “A ticket is a wake-up call. It is far less expensive than the alternative — paying with your life or the lives of your family and friends.”

For more information about the West Virginia Governor’s Highway Safety Program, visit highwaysafety.wv.gov or call 304-926-2509.



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

West Virginia

West Virginia man accused of threatening Trump, ICE agents indicted

Published

on

West Virginia man accused of threatening Trump, ICE agents indicted


A West Virginia man accused of threatening to attack President Donald Trump and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement workers was federally indicted this week.

Cody Lee Smith, 20, of Clarksburg was indicted on two counts of threats to murder the president, one count of influencing and retaliating against federal officials by threat of murder and one count of influencing a federal official by threat of murder, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of West Virginia.

Smith is accused of making a series of public posts on Instagram encouraging and threatening the murder of Trump, those who support him, Israelis and “all government officials,” the news release said.

The indictment also alleges that Smith sent a direct message via Instagram to Donald J. Trump, Jr., stating he would kill his father by cutting his “jugular.”

Advertisement

In a phone call with the ICE tip line, Smith also threatened to kill ICE agents in Clarksburg and employees staffing the tip line.

Comment with Bubbles

BE THE FIRST TO COMMENT

Smith faces up to 5 years for each of the presidential threat charges and faces up to 10 years in federal prison for each of the remaining counts.



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending