MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Mon County Delegate John Williams came to WAJR’s Talk of the Town to reflect on the legislative session during the pandemic. Typically the closing days of a legislative session are filled with last minute efforts to pass proposal and make deals, but the threat of a virus outbreak changed the pace of workflow.
“Quite a few big ticket items were done early on,” Williams said,” We just didn’t know if we would get shutdown because of COVID, the feeling of the session was different.”
Delegates John Williams (D) and Joe Statler (R) believe the current formula does not recognize growth and increased traffic in Mon County specifically. Because of that they say Mon County is short-changed.
Williams proposed a change that sailed through the house by a 97 to 1 vote two years ago, but was vetoed by Governor justice. This year House Bill 2532, a measure to force the commissioner of the DOH to revise the funding formula died in the Government Organization Committee.
“There’s sort of been a whisper campaign behind the scenes as how this bill (HB 2532)can pull money from other counties,” Williams said,” That’s made for a difficult road to climb and honestly I’m a little dejected.”
As the session started Williams was skeptical about the effort to phase out the personal income tax. None of the plans presented by the governor or fellow lawmakers swayed Williams while he was in Charleston.
“The state budget is taking care of the most basic needs and services for the people of West Virginia,” Williams said,” I don’t think we’re in a place where we could start tinkering with tax collection and put those programs at risk.”
Economic development is a priority to Williams, but this plan has too many unknowns at this point of the process.
“I will never question the governor’s motives. I do believe he has what’s best best for West Virginia on his mind,” Williams said,” It just so happens that we disagree.”
Williams wants to see more data and analysis of how the income tax would repeal would work and where the burdens would be distributed. Based on the unanimous vote in House, Williams says there is a need for more consideration on how the proposal would impact residents.
“You have to realize the vote was 100 to nothing in the House,” Williams said,” It’s just not there, and I really do believe it’s coming from a good place from the governor. I think he does think it’s a good issue, but he needs partners.”