BACK PEW–Breaking down the details
By Stephen Baldwin, RealWV March 8, 2023 Last week, I wrote at length about how politics has become a performance. Right on cue, our leaders proceeded to hold a balloon drop photo op to celebrate a tax cut and pay raise for public employees…while quietly giving themselves a much larger raise and increasing employee insurance […]
Senate budget makes way for tax cuts, includes raises, puts a billion into surplus spending
By Brad McElhinny, WV MetroNews Senators today started consideration of West Virginia’s general revenue budget, leaving room for the possibility of a tax cut. “It contemplates the largest tax cut to the citizens of West Virginia in the history of West Virginia, passing the Senate,” Senate Finance Chairman Eric Tarr, R-Putnam, said while describing the bill […]
THE BACK PEW–Watch out for the quiet ones
By Stephen Baldwin, RealWV February 16, 2023 They say you should always watch out for the quiet ones. That’s especially true of legislation. Because politicians try and get you to look left while they’re pulling a trick to your right. Here are some bills I’m watching right now. COAL SEVERANCE TAX CUT. SB168 passed the […]
Tax plans get more examination, and governor hosts a roundtable of tax cut advocates
By Brad McElhinny, WV Metronews February 13, 2023 The governor, House leaders and Senate leaders all still say they want to cut taxes, and they’re assessing each other’s plans. Senators introduced a tax proposal last week, advocating for changes in several sections of the code. The governor today hosted a roundtable discussion with nationally-known advocates for […]
THE BACK PEW: Sparks fly at halftime
By Stephen Baldwin, RealWV February 8, 2023 It’s officially halftime under the dome! This is day 30 of the 60-day legislative session. And it began with a bang this morning! COMPETING TAX CUT PLANS. Senate Republicans and Democrats joined together in a press conference to present their tax cut plan. The main parts are: 15% […]
GUEST COLUMN: Reverse Robin Hood–will W.Va. governor use ARPA funds to cover tax revenue shortfalls?
By Crystal Good, Black by God The recent ruling by the 11th District Court that states can cut state taxes and use American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars to cover revenue shortfalls deserves to be met with criticism and concern. This ruling is a form of “reverse Robin Hood” – taking from the poor to […]
