CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) – The bill, designed to repeal and replace West Virginia income tax, was passed by members of the House of Representatives in a 100-0 vote Friday afternoon.
About an hour before the vote, Governor Jim Justice convened a last-minute news conference to keep the bill up to date.
NewsChannel 3 Brendan Tierney asked the following question:
‘When the Senate finally got the latest version that had passed the chamber, it was only given to members about an hour before the meeting started voting on the bill. One of the biggest concerns is that only Alaska has successfully repealed their income taxes. It bankrupted the state of Kansas. Do you think you’re just trying to push something through too fast, and that’s why the House keeps moving at the end of the session and what’s the biggest concern that could come to a compromise tomorrow night at midnight? to also ensure that small businesses are not harmed throughout this process? ”
The Governor did not answer the question directly.
‘Well Brendan, I do not know if you are influenced by the broadcasters because you are terrified that the advertising costs that your advertisers include will be included in the sales tax. I do not know if you are affected by it, but everything you say, there is simply no basis for it. There is no way on earth that it can possibly hurt and do anything, but small businesses can help significantly. ‘
WSAZ decided to factually check what the governor was saying.
Click on the video link to hear more.
Late Friday afternoon, Justice agreed to meet with the Broadcasters Association in West Virginia, which was against the Senate’s version of the House Bill.
The WMA says it will ultimately give members the opportunity to express why they believe this bill will harm small businesses.
‘As small businesses emerge from this pandemic and we begin to see light at the end of the tunnel, to see eight hundred million or one billion dollars in new taxes being passed on to small businesses, and passed on to consumers, it’s a work killer . “It’s a breakthrough for small businesses,” said Reeves Kirtner, president’s adviser.
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