WTAS: Historic Tax Reform for West Virginians

Feb 15, 2023 by AFP

“But Governor I am for 100% reduction in the income tax. I am in favor for your State for eventually getting to zero. Because that would be a flashing billboard around the Country that West Virginia is open for business.”

Americans for Prosperity-WV Official View on SB 424 as adopted by State Senate:

We are grateful that the State Senate has heeded the call from the grassroots by presenting a tax reform proposal. In passing SB 424, they’ve signaled a sincere willingness to advance this crucial discussion for the future of our State. Unfortunately, the plan proposed by the senate simply misses the mark.

West Virginia needs a more transformational pathway forward that is focused on boldly reducing the personal income tax.
Tax rebates are not sound policy. Experiments with similar property tax rebate schemes (as are found in SB 424) in other states have largely failed to positively move the needle economically and, more importantly, in the lives of citizens.
Rebates are a non-starter for serious reform-minded legislators and should be mitigated to the highest extent possible in any final tax reform package. The inclusion of tax rebates detracts from a more concentrated, substantial cut to the personal income tax that West Virginia needs. The research is clear: transformational cuts to the personal income tax will grow the economy and encourage in-migration. We strongly suggest using that entire amount the Senate is comfortable with committing towards tax reform, $600,000 million, to getting as close to a once-in-a-generation personal income tax cut as possible.

What are the Experts saying on Tax Reform?
Comments from Gov. Justice’s Tax Reform Roundtable 2/13/2023

“How can you attract people and businesses? I know the Governor proposal is 50% reduction of the income tax. I fully support that. But Governor I am for 100% reduction in the income tax. I am in favor for your State for eventually getting to zero. Because that would be a flashing billboard around the Country that West Virginia is open for business.” – Stephen Moore Fellow, Heritage Foundation.

“There about ten states now, and I include West Virginia in this, where the leadership says we are going towards zero. The key thing here is to move as quickly as one can, but there is not much difference between six and seven years. Get it done and get it done right. Bring the rates towards zero, to zero.” – Grover Norquist, President of Americans for Tax Reform.

“Basically, all the evidence is extremely clear that when you reduce taxes people come to your state. We are a renaissance state in West Virginia. We have adopted right to work, we adopted one of the best education freedom policies in the Country. One of the last things we have to do is reduce our income tax significantly.” – Jason Huffman AFP-WV State Director.

“Widespread prosperity which is what we all want and is most easily created when individual citizens, job creators and entrepreneurs are allowed to invest, spend and save that money the best way they see fit. And that is fundamentally what this entire conversation is about. How do we shift the equilibrium from the individual citizen, frankly, giving more and more of the hard-earned blood, sweat, tears and money to the government versus allowing them to make the best decision for their family’s future, their communities future and their business future. And that is what income tax reform is all about.” – Garrett Ballengee, Executive Director Cardinal Institute.

What are hardworking West Virginians saying about Tax Reform?
Comments from AFP-WV Telephone Townhall with Gov. Justice 2/13/2023