Not-So Special Session Wraps Up Three Weeks Before Election

By Gary Zuckett, WV CAG Executive Director

Our ‘lame duck’ governor, determined to go out with a bang, didn’t get his entire 5% additional cut to the personal income tax. However, he did get a 2% cut, which, according to Delegate Pushkin, would “maybe get the average working-class West Virginian 40 cents a week” back into their wallets. Heck, that and another dollar will buy a pack of chewing gum! 

“Never fear,” says the lame duck. “This shows we’re on the right track to eliminate the income tax!” No matter that, his flat state budgets have starved state agencies for the past eight years. Considering inflation, that equates to between a 15-20% reduction in funding for our state government to function. Now, with nearly a half billion dollars in annual tax revenue gone, the next governor and lawmakers will be looking for deep cuts in state services. See this post by the WV Center on Budget & Policy on how we got here and our challenges moving forward.

Extensive TO-DO List on Governor’s Call

Two additions to the Governor’s original call brought his wish list up to 40 items, most of them allocating so-called ‘surplus funds’ to various agencies suffering from years of his flat budgets. Of those 40, the Legislature passed 37 bills. The special session did some good, especially for our farmers and emergency medical services. Appropriations of $10 million for drought relief and $5 million in one-time support for EMS agencies that are in crisis were approved and are sorely needed.

Child Care Gets Lip Service

Another purpose of this special session was to address the childcare crisis for working families. Justice gave lip service in the form of a new tax credit on families’ income taxes. Since it’s not ‘refundable,’ folks who don’t owe any income tax (and likely need it most) will get none of the average $250/year in credits. That would barely pay for a week of childcare anyway. Lawmakers failed to address the lack of openings for those seeking childcare and the fact that current daycare facilities are struggling to stay afloat. There’s much more needed here for working families.

Nuclear Waste Imports

Even some who supported HB 208, which allows WV to apply to join a multi-state compact for control and monitoring of ‘low-level’ nuclear wastes, questioned why it was sandwiched into a rushed special session when the regular session is only a few months away. This bill raises more questions than answers: Will it allow the importation of such nuclear waste into WV? Will the Department of Health (which has taken primacy over this new scheme) now be able to regulate the disposal of radioactive fracking waste (which everyone admits contains NORMS – Naturally Occurring Nuclear Materials)? Since there’s no fiscal note, how much will it cost the state to take on this additional responsibility? Lots of questions but few answers. Stay tuned!

Vote Your Values!

As we’re only weeks away from our November 5th elections, it’s time to make a plan to vote and then do it! Visit GoVoteWV.com for voting info and to look up your polling place. Better yet, vote early and avoid the rush! 

Early voting is Oct. 23 – Nov 2nd. Find locations here! However you do it, take some friends and family with you, especially those who sometimes don’t get out to vote. Shout out to the national Poor People’s Campaign for putting out one of the best general voter scorecards this election season. Please share it widely!

Vote Green!

Another way to vote is with your dollars! We appreciate everyone who’s taken the time to vote for WV Citizen Action Group by renewing their membership or making a tax-deductible donation to WV Citizen Action Education Fund! Your support amplifies your voice in public policies and keeps us going! 

Thanks in advance for your support!