Governor Patrick Morrisey has called on the West Virginia legislature to enact a 10 percent personal income tax cut. Joined by Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform, Morrisey said the state is able to offer this tax relief after recent efforts to control spending and make tough budget decisions.
“West Virginians deserve to keep more of what they earn,” Governor Morrisey stated. “We tightened the budget, made tough choices, and put the state on stronger financial footing and will continue to do so. Now we have an opportunity to return money to the people and help with real affordability challenges.”
Since October, private-sector investment announcements in West Virginia have totaled nearly $6.5 billion, which are expected to generate over 7,000 jobs in sectors such as energy, manufacturing, and infrastructure. Including federal investments in broadband expansion and rural health initiatives that were supported by President Donald Trump, overall commitments reach about $8 billion with more than 8,000 projected jobs.
Grover Norquist said: “With a significant surplus and new projects on the horizon, now is the time for West Virginia to double down on its historic progress in putting the state on the path to zero income tax. The race to zero is heating up across the country. As states like Ohio and Kentucky pull ahead, West Virginia can reaffirm its commitment to protecting families’ futures and the growth of small businesses, making the state an even more competitive option with a 10% rate cut across the board.”
During remarks at Green’s Supply Depot in Parkersburg, Morrisey explained that half of the proposed cut has already been funded through measures such as spending restraint and restructuring over the past year. He urged legislators to collaborate with his administration to identify further savings or offsets needed for the remaining five percent.
