Tax Breaks Story Archives - West Virginia Public Broadcasting

Justice Adds Abortion Law Clarity To Special Session On Tax Cuts

Last week, Justice called the legislature into a special session to discuss a proposed personal income tax reduction. Just as both chambers gaveled into session, the governor sent out a statement adding the abortion issue.

Updated on Tuesday, July 26 at 9 a.m.

In sessions Monday evening, both the House and the Senate adjourned for the day without taking any additional action. The two bills that have been introduced are House Bills 301 and 302.

House Bill 301 relates to the governor’s request for a 10 percent reduction in the personal income tax. This bill was introduced by House Speaker Roger Hanshaw, R-Clay, and the House Minority Leader Del. Doug Skaff, D-Kanawha. It is currently before the House Finance committee.

House Bill 302 is the abortion bill. That bill was introduced into the House Health and Human Resources committee where it passed by a vote of 16 to 6 and has now been sent to the House Judiciary Committee.

A public hearing on the abortion bill has been scheduled for 9 a.m. on Wednesday in the House Chamber.

This is a developing story and may be updated.

Gov. Jim Justice amended Monday’s special session by asking the West Virginia Legislature to clarify the state’s abortion laws.

House Democrats say they were caught off guard.

In a press release, the West Virginia Democratic Party highlighted that less than a week ago, Justice had stated it could be months before the legislature took up abortion.

“Apparently Governor Justice couldn’t get his backroom tax cut deal done without a deal guaranteeing a return to backroom abortions,” Democratic Vice-Chair Del. Danielle Walker, D- Monongalia, said. “I fear this will be a huge step backward for reproductive health care for West Virginians.”

Del. Mike Pushkin, D-Kanawha, minority chair of the Health and Human Resources Committee, agreed the motivation for the sudden change lies in the governor’s tax proposal.

“I find it disgusting that apparently the governor wasn’t able to get the votes for his tax cut, so he’s using the West Virginia women and reproductive health care as a bargaining chip to get what he wants,” Pushkin said. “The people of West Virginia deserve better.”

Pushkin echoed Walker in expressing concern that this will result in a backslide for reproductive health care in the state.

House Republicans said they were preparing for the abortion amendment from Sunday night on. The governor met with House Speaker Roger Hanshaw Sunday afternoon.

Del. Daniel Linville, R-Cabell, said an abortion clinic resuming its services gave the super majority deep concern, and he saw no problem in creating legislation for both issues.

“It’s just the will of many of the members of the majority in the House and Senate to speak on the abortion issue,” Linville said. “I do not view the two as related whatsoever.”

Legislators on both sides said this special session may last for days.

Justice Considering Gas Tax Holiday

Gov. Jim Justice is reconsidering a gas tax holiday to help relieve West Virginia drivers from pain at the pump.

During his Monday COVID-19 briefing, Justice said he would announce this week the possibility of calling a special legislative session to coincide with next week’s House and Senate interim committee meetings.

Justice also said he’s considering proposing a one month gas tax holiday to help West Virginia families with summer travel.

“Thinking about going on vacations and things like that, if there’s a way to help a little bit for maybe one month and take a one month holiday, I don’t think it would be detrimental to us,” Justice said.

A joint Democrat legislative caucus proposed a month long gas tax more than two months ago. At that time, the governor worried about depleting tax monies for state road projects. Now, he says state surplus funds will help offer some gas pump relief.

“I think we will be able to give a little back,” Justice said. “Without it really hurting the bottom line because we want to continue to repair our roads.“

Suspending the state gas tax could save most drivers 35.7 cents a gallon.

The governor also said he may announce on Wednesday how hundreds of millions of dollars in American Rescue Plan and state surplus funds will be allocated.

New Law Offers Home Construction Incentives To Compliment Economic Development Push

Updated on Monday, April 4, 2022 at 9:30 a.m. The measure offers incentives to meet middle-income housing needs in key economic development areas of the state.

Updated on Monday, April 4, 2022 at 9:30 a.m.

New West Virginia home construction incentives could offset housing shortages for middle-class, skilled workers.

Gov. Jim Justice signed the Build WV bill into law Friday at the West Virginia Home Show.

“We know there are places in our state that are wonderful places to live and raise a family, but may be short on homes,” Justice said at a press conference Friday. “So we needed to find a way to incentivize our builders to step up; to stimulate more home development. That’s exactly what this bill is going to do. We don’t want to sit back. We need to be proactive. We need to show ourselves off. Then the people will follow.”

The measure offers incentives to meet middle-income housing needs in key economic development areas of the state.

State lawmakers say that key geographic areas of the state are on the verge of a burgeoning expansion for economic development. Some areas are expecting growth in technical, industrial, and commercial markets.

The bill’s co-sponsor, Del. Doug Skaff, D-Kanawha said the law addresses the needs of corporations now locating in West Virginia or considering West Virginia as a place for expansion. He said educated workers will need homes, especially in underdeveloped areas.

“Your high paying jobs go to those who are going to need new houses, and some people might relocate there from other parts of West Virginia,” Skaff said. “So this bill will designate different areas around the state where they’ve identified that there’s really not a lot of adequate housing to fit everyone’s needs.”

Build WV incentives include property tax credits for eligible taxpayers.

and City Business and Occupation business tax exemptions.

Build WV housing construction incentives will also include tax credits and help with covering the rising cost of materials like drywall, shingles and windows.

*Editor’s note: This story has been updated from its original version to include a quote from the governor given at a press conference on Friday, April 1, 2022.

W.Va. Democrat Lawmakers Demand Special Session For Gas Tax Holiday

Democrats from the West Virginia House of Delegates and the Senate again said West Virginia should follow Maryland and other states' lead – suspending the state’s 35.7 cent a gallon gas tax for 30 days. In a press conference Tuesday, they demanded a special session if Gov. Jim Justice refuses to act.

Democrats from the West Virginia House of Delegates and the Senate again said West Virginia should follow Maryland and other states’ lead – suspending the state’s 35.7 cent a gallon gas tax for 30 days. In a press conference Tuesday, they demanded a special session if Gov. Jim Justice refuses to act.

Justice has said only the legislature has the power to enact the gas tax holiday. Republican leaders in the legislature said the cut would jeopardize road construction funding.

Democrats estimate the cost for a 30 day gas tax suspension at $35 million.

Kanawha County Del. Doug Skaff was among several who insisted the state’s $600 million surplus can cover both the temporary tax cut and the road fund.

“We’re hoping to urge the governor to call us in and Republican leadership to call us in and do the right thing and give relief to everybody,” Skaff said. “If not, we are prepared to gather a petition and call all our members and call ourselves back in.”

It would take a petition signed by three-fifths of House of Delegates members and three-fifths of Senate members for the legislature to bring itself in for a special session. There was a push to do that in 2020, related to the governor’s executive powers in light of COVID-19, but the numbers were not there.

Some Democrats say those executive powers give Justice the authority to make the gas tax cut. Skaff joined other Democrats who said the legislature could give the governor the power to extend the gas tax holiday for 60 or 90 days.

Greenbrier Could Get Millions in W.Va. Tax Breaks

The Greenbrier resort and its billionaire owner could receive up to $25 million in tax breaks over 10 years for a new medical institute.

Owner Jim Justice said the $86 million medical resort would offer doctors that care for professional athletes. It was first announced in 2011.

Some lawmakers criticized the late inclusion of the corporate income credit specifically for The Greenbrier. Lawmakers didn’t consider it publicly until the session’s second-to-last day.

Sen. Clark Barnes says the facility would be built, tax break or not. He criticized the break for Justice, who is worth $1.6 billion.

Senate President Jeff Kessler commended Justice for offering to invest $400 million in the facility and other yet-to-be-named projects.

The resort has hosted presidents and royalty, and hosts a PGA Tour golf event.