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CHARLESTON, WV - Governor Jim Justice was
joined by a wide cross-section of state leaders today as he again provided
budget options and implored the Legislature to get a budget passed that won't
cripple West Virginia.
"Today
we have a room full of the biggest and brightest here that have all said they
are willing to pull the rope and cross the finish line together," Governor Justice said.
"We have five days left in the regular session and if it doesn't get
done you'd better get out the sleeping bags because we're going to stay here
forevermore. I urge all West Virginians to call their lawmakers and encourage
them to get the job done."
More than 20 representatives of business, labor, public education, higher
education, energy, tourism, veterans, senior citizens and disability
advocates appeared with
Governor Justice to support his plans.
Governor Justice
offered an update as to solutions he has put forth to resolve the budget
crisis and put the state on a pathway to recovery and growth.
The Governor's Preferred Plan-Recovery VS Death
- The plan preserves the Teacher Pay
Raise
- The plan preserves the Greyhound
Breeders Fund
- Cuts measuring $55 million
- Consumer Sales Tax will be raised
from 6 percent to 6.25 percent ($50 million)
- A Commercial Activities Tax of
.00045 of 1 percent on businesses ($45 million)
- Raise the Pop Tax by 2 cents per
container ($30 million)
- Raise Cigarette Tax by 20 cents per
pack ($20 million)
- Wealthy West Virginians ($8 million)
$500 for those making more than $200,000
$750 for those making more than $250,000
$1,000 for those making more than $300,000
- Eliminate sales tax exemptions for
telecommunications ($60 million), Electronic Data Processing ($6
million) and Health Clubs ($2 million), totaling $68 million
- Eliminate the general fund transfer
to highways ($12 million)
- Increase Beer barrel tax from $5.50
to $8 ($3 million)
- No greater cuts that would cripple
our state NEEDED
The Governor's Alternative Plan-Recovery VS Death
- The plan preserves the Teacher Pay
Raise
- The plan preserves the Greyhound
Breeders Fund
- Cuts measuring $55 million
- Consumer Sales Tax will be raised
from 6 percent to 6.5 percent ($100 million)
- A Commercial Activities Tax of
.00045 of 1 percent on businesses ($45 million)
- Wealthy West Virginians ($8 million)
$500 for those making more than $200,000
$750 for those making more than $250,000
$1,000 for those making more than $300,000
- Eliminate sales tax exemptions for
telecommunications ($60 million), Electronic Data Processing ($6
million) and Health Clubs ($2 million), totaling $68 million
- Eliminate the general fund transfer
to highways ($12 million)
- Increase Beer barrel tax from $5.50
to $8 ($3 million)
- No greater cuts that would cripple
our state NEEDED
To view
today’s press conference visit this link: https://youtu.be/-AOvKmCeAWA
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