MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Local elected leaders question another five percent cut to the personal income tax, but for different reasons.
On WAJR’s “Talk of the Town,” Senator Mike Oliverio, R. Monongalia, 13, said he needs to see state revenue and expense projections for a five-year span in order to have enough information to make an informed vote. Once the cut is made, lawmakers still have the responsibility to maintain services and programs going forward.
“We want to play this thing out and see if giving up that 5-percent or $110 million in revenue makes sense,” Oliverio said.
Delegate John Williams, D. Monongalia, 80, wants to protect middle-class workers, families, and residents that are supported by existing programs. While being in favor of a cut, Williams wants to ensure things like higher education and healthcare programs are fully funded.
“We need to remember that we have truly essential programs that help and support the middle class in West Virginia, and they are not being adequately funded right now,” Williams said.
Mike Caputo, D. Marion, 13, would like to review the assessment of the Finance Committee and fully understand future budgetary requirements before making a decision. Caputo also wants to provide a tax cut, but at the expense of future financial security for the state.
“One of the most important things I want to make sure of is that we don’t hamstring some future legislature to have to fill these holes,” Caputo said.
A September 2024 report from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities called current West Virginia tax policies “ill advised,” and they are forcing policymakers to “fill holes in community college funding and Medicaid programs.”
“Help us understand what those coal revenues are going to look like in the future and help us understand some of the bills we’ve passed already,” Oliverio said. “Really drill down the professionals in his budget policy office and show us this plan can work.”
Proposed tax cuts that provide meaningful relief for the middle class is what Del. Williams is looking for in a couple of weeks from the governor. Williams wants to take the opportunity to provide targeted financial relief to middle-class families statewide.
“I’m not sure 5-percent across the board is targeted enough to the middle class,” Williams said. “I’m all onboard with a tax cut for the middle class, but to do 5-percent across the board—I’m not a fan; let’s make sure the middle class reaps most of the benefits.”