State Senate Minority Leader Mike Woelfel, D-Cabell, asks questions Monday about a compromise between Republican legislative leaders and Gov. Jim Justice for a personal income tax cut.
CHARLESTON — Gov. Jim Justice and the West Virginia Legislature appear to be moving toward a reduced version of the governor’s proposed personal income tax cut.
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The House Finance Committee recommended House Bill 237, relating to the personal income tax, for passage to the full House Monday afternoon. The state Senate passed its version, Senate Bill 2033, in a 31-0 vote Monday afternoon, setting up a possible final vote today.
“Regardless of what the percentage is, we recognize that we have got funds available to give back to the citizens of West Virginia,” said House Finance Committee Chairman Vernon Criss, R-Wood, following Monday’s House floor session.
“I thank the governor’s staff for working with us to make sure we had room in future budgets to be able to offset where these tax cuts come from in a responsible manner,” said Senate Finance Committee Chairman Eric Tarr, R-Putnam.
Justice issued an amended proclamation earlier Monday with eight new bills, a concurrent resolution, and a change his proposal for a 5% personal income tax cut to a 2% cut.
Justice first called for a 5% personal income tax cut in July following the end of fiscal year 2024.However, some lawmakers expressed concerns over the last several weeks about the state general revenue budget being able to afford the loss of tax revenue beginning in fiscal year 2026 next July 2025.
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During his weekly administration briefing last week, Justice signaled that he would be willing to accept less than the 5% personal income tax cut he proposed.
A 2% cut in personal income tax rates would return approximately $46 million to taxpayers when fully implemented. The tax cut would go into effect in January at the start of the 2025 tax year along with a 4% personal income tax cut due to the state meeting the requirements of a trigger mechanism and formula allowing for personal income tax cuts up to 10% every year. The 4% personal income tax will return approximately $92 million to taxpayers when fully implemented.
“I think our taxpayers are hurting,” said Department of Revenue Secretary Larry Pack to the House Finance Committee during testimony when asked why the tax cut is needed now. “Inflation has been absolutely crushing people, so we’re doing everything we can to help people and our taxpayers as quick as we can as long as we can do it in a prudent fashion.”
With the passage of House Bill 225, that will take the total percentage of personal income tax cuts since 2023 during Justice’s administration to 27.25% and return more than $626 million to taxpayers by fiscal year 2026. Personal income tax collections of more than $2.2 billion made up nearly 40% of the state’s $5.7 billion in general revenue collections in fiscal year 2024.
HB 237 would also delay the effective date of the next personal income tax trigger put in place by the 2023 tax reform package. When the Department of Revenue determines the next personal income tax cut in August based on the trigger and formula, instead of that tax cut going into effect in tax year 2026, it would go into effect in tax year 2027.
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In order to pay for the $46 million loss in personal income tax revenue from the 2% cut, $19 million will come when a revenue bond is paid off soon. The remaining $27 million will come from cost savings ongoing from the reorganization of the Department of Health and Human Resources into the departments of Health, Human Services, and Health Facilities.
While the three-member Senate Democratic caucus voted for the bill, Senate Minority Leader Mike Woelfel, D-Cabell, raised concerns about passing a tax cut in an election year when a new governor and new legislature will take their seats next year. Justice is the Republican candidate for U.S. Senate, facing Democratic former Wheeling mayor Glenn Elliott.
“At the 11th hour, we’re going to find this money, we’re going to cut a tax, and we’re going to hamstring, it seems to me, the new governor…(Justice) won’t even be here,” Woelfel said. “There are a fair number of people in this room who are not going to be here in January…Why are we making the decision in October when we will reconvene in January?”
Other items on Justice’s second amended special session proclamation included: allowing funding for certain federally funded broadband expansion programs to come from the state Economic Development Authority; providing supplemental appropriations for West Virginia University, Marshall University, Concord University, Shepherd University, and New River Community and Technical College; providing $5 million for the Department of Health for statewide EMS program support; and providing $175,000 for the West Virginia State Police for repairs and refurbishment of helicopters.
Other added bills included: legislation transferring the powers and duties of the state Municipal Bond Commission to the State Treasurer’s Office; rules dealing with the issuing of refunding bonds and general obligation bonds; relating to fees and charges for municipality provided fire services; and a bill transferring funds from the State Treasurer’s Office to the Governor’s Civil Contingency Fund for additional funding for deferred maintenance at state colleges and universities.
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One concurrent resolution added to the amended special session calls for honoring the late U.S. Marine Corps veteran and Gold Star Family advocate Hershel “Woody” Williams as one of two West Virginia statues in the National Statuary Hall collection at the U.S. Capitol Building.
Three bills completed legislative action Monday: appropriating $15.7 million to the Adjutant General’s office of the West Virginia National Guard for capital outlay, repairs, and equipment, the state Military Authority, and the Recruit WV employment program; appropriating $87 million to the Public Employees insurance Agency for its reserve fund to abide by State Code that requires PEIA to maintain a reserve of 10% of the projected plan expenses; and appropriating $13.7 million to the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine for building renovations.
INSTITUTE, W.Va. — The Institute Fire Department has called a precautionary shelter-in-place for those living in close proximity to the Catalyst Refiners plant.
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According to Kanawha County Emergency Manager C.W. Sigman said there was an incident involving an acid-based material at around 9:30 .am. Wednesday.
According to Sigman, most of the material which was spilled was inside a building and it largely contained and the shelter-in-place is precautionary.
Emergency crews are on the scene treating multiple patents at the plant. The extent of injuries is not known.
A media briefing has been scheduled for 2 p.m.
CAMC/Vandalia confirmed they were preparing for patients as is WVU Medicine Thomas Hospital where they’ve activated their Incident Command Center.
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The plant is located between Institute and Nitro. The roadway is shut down on 1st Ave S in Institute from New Goff Mountain Rd to Kilowatt Rd.
The shelter-in-place is for a one-mile radius of the plant and includes the West Virginia State University campus.
The shelter-in-place put into effect for St. Albans was lifted at 10:30 a.m.
CHARLESTON, W.Va (WCHS) — The West Virginia PSC held a public comment hearing on Tuesday regarding West Virginia American Water taking over Lincoln Lincoln Public Service District.
Only one person spoke out sharing what they’d like to see done if West Virginia American Water acquires the Lincoln PSD.
“If the company wants to get to folks who really need water, they should be looking at areas where drilling well is nearly impossible, like mine, which is actually closer to the lines than some of the places they mention in their filing. My neighbors and I live closer to the main water lines than the proposed Sugar Tree Road extension or the one and a half miles out to the campground that they plan on serving,” a Lincoln PSD customer shared during the meeting.
Lincoln PSD issued a boil water advisory on January 26th, and it wasn’t lifted until March 31st, leaving some customers not able to use what was coming out of their faucets.
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Just last year, the Lincoln County Commission voted to move forward with the dissolution of the Lincoln PSD, but, in September, the district filed a petition to stop the sale to West Virginia American Water. Soon after in November, PSC staff submitted a request asking the applicants to give specific financial information.
West Virginia American Water issued the following statement at Tuesday’s meeting:
“West Virginia American Water has been working collaboratively with the Lincoln County Commission and the Lincoln County Public Service District Board regarding the possible acquisition of the Lincoln County Public Service District. The proposal would involve the purchase of the 2,532-customer system. We appreciate the opportunity for public input and look forward to continuing to work through the Public Service Commission’s review process.”
Lincoln PSD customers received a letter in the mail this week stating that the system violated drinking water monitoring requirements. The utility noted what was done to correct the situation and added that customers are not at risk.
Customers were also alerted Tuesday night of a boil water notice tonight due to a recent inspection concluding that the utility is not currently meeting the minimum disinfection requirements for surface water facilities.
One of the best quarterbacks in recent memory to come through West Virginia, Will Grier, is approaching his eighth year in the NFL, which is quite the accomplishment for a backup. According to multiple reports early Tuesday morning, Grier is headed home, signing a free agent deal with the Carolina Panthers.
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Grier was selected in the third round (100th overall) by the Panthers in 2019 and, at the time, was viewed as someone who could potentially be the future face of the franchise. That plan got messed up pretty early as Ron Rivera was fired during his rookie season, ultimately replaced by Matt Rhule. That offseason, the Panthers decided to cut ties with Cam Newton and bring in Teddy Bridgewater, giving Carolina a completely different direction at quarterback.
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Following his second season with the Panthers, Grier was let go and began bouncing around the league. He spent time with the Dallas Cowboys, Cincinnati Bengals, New England Patriots, Los Angeles Chargers, Philadelphia Eagles, and then back to the Cowboys in 2024 and 2025.
Although he has only played in two regular season games in his career, Grier is widely viewed as a tremendous veteran quarterback who can bring depth to a room and serve as an extra voice for the starter to lean on. In this case, he and former Pitt quarterback Kenny Pickett will fill that role for Bryce Young.
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Where Grier ranks among WVU QBs in the NFL
Nov 23, 2018; Morgantown, WV, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers quarterback Will Grier (7) celebrates during the second quarter against the Oklahoma Sooners at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-Imagn Images | Ben Queen-Imagn Images
Statistically, he’s not going to catch anyone unless he somehow gets thrown into a starting role at some point, but as far as longevity goes, he’s been able to stick around in the NFL longer than most former Mountaineer quarterbacks.
Geno Smith (still active) is entering his 14th year in the league, and Jeff Hostetler made it 13 years. Those are the only two WVU quarterbacks who played longer. Marc Bulger played eight years, so as long as he makes it through this season and plays in 2027, he’ll surpass him. The others? Charles Seabright (six years), Oliver Luck (four years), Pat White (one year), and Fred Wyant (one year).
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Grier will forever be remembered as one of the best to ever suit up for the Old Gold and Blue, tossing for 7,354 yards and 71 touchdowns in just two seasons in Dana Holgorsen’s offense. Following the 2018 season, he finished fourth in the Heisman Trophy voting, marking the highest finish for a Mountaineer since Steve Slaton in 2006.
