Personal Income Tax

The West Virginia House of Delegates swiftly and overwhelmingly killed a proposal that would have reduced personal income taxes but called for hikes on other revenue streams. The House took action to reject the bill after Gov. Jim Justice expressed his disappointment over the lower chamber’s inaction on the issue that failed to garner legislative consensus.

On this West Virginia Morning, as the 2021 West Virginia Legislative session draws to a close, lawmakers are looking back on their time in Charleston, reflecting on the bills they have passed and the atmosphere in which they worked. Also, we have updates on some legislation that is moving forward, and we bring you our Mountain Stage Song of the Week featuring Marty Stuart and his Fabulous Superlatives.

House Judiciary Chair Moore Capito, R-Kanawha, and House Judiciary Minority Chair Chad Lovejoy, D-Cabell, discuss criminal justice reform, election, and pandemic-related bills. We also take a look at the state budget process and the personal income tax repeal plans.

On this West Virginia Morning, the Senate has passed a measure to reduce the personal income tax, and the chamber has passed a budget bill. Also, we have updates on a coronavirus variant spreading in the state, and we have a story exploring the looming retirement of many of West Virginia’s water and wastewater operators.

In a Wednesday evening floor session that stretched for more than three hours — and became at times fiery between members of the Republican majority and Democratic minority — members of the West Virginia Senate passed a measure calling for the reduction of the personal income tax and a budget bill.

On this West Virginia Morning, Gov. Jim Justice has unveiled yet another plan to reduce West Virginia’s personal income tax. Also, we have more updates from the West Virginia Legislature, we hear a conversation about President Biden’s infrastructure and energy plan, and we learn about women artists in Appalachia.

On Day 55 of the West Virginia Legislature’s 60-day session, Gov. Jim Justice gathered top lawmakers of both parties to try to hash out the differences between three very different plans to reduce the personal income tax. Instead, the governor offered up another version of his plan before lawmakers chimed in — and consensus on the issue remained elusive.

This week, The Legislature Today takes a deep dive into the various plans for the elimination of the state’s Personal Income Tax. Phil Kabler of the Charleston Gazette-Mail and Steven Allen Adams of Ogden Newspapers join host Dave Mistich to discuss multiple proposed fiscal policy changes. June Leffler provides updates on a bill to expand Medicaid coverage for new moms, and Emily Allen reports on HB 2017, which rewrites the state’s criminal code.

The West Virginia House of Delegates has passed a bill that would reduce the personal income tax each year until it is fully eliminated. The measure would equate to at least a $150 million annual loss in revenue and would ultimately cost the state more than $2 billion each year upon full implementation.

This week on The Legislature Today, senior reporter Dave Mistich speaks with House Finance Committee Vice Chair Vernon Criss, R-Wood, and House Finance Minority Chair Brent Boggs, D-Braxton, about Gov. Jim Justice’s plan to reduce the state’s personal income tax, while increasing consumer sales and other taxes. Liz McCormick gives us an update on House Bill 2013, which would establish education savings accounts.