State of West Virginia secondary Archives: on Budget & Economy
Ben Salango:
State has yet to spend most of CARES Act money
Justice said West Virginia has received a high rating in how it has allocated $1.2 billion in CARES Act money provided by Congress in June to respond to issues created by COVID-19.
Salango said West Virginia had received a pat on a back as to how it allocated the money, not on how it actually had spent the money. He pointed out that of $1.2 billion sent to the state in March, $1 billion of the money has not been spent.
Source: Charleston Gazette-Mail: 2020 West Virginia Governor debate
Oct 13, 2020
Bob Wise:
Limit capital assistance find to new businesses
I ask for some important economic development legislation this year: the long-awaited reform of the West Virginia Capital Company Act. The Legislature created this act to stimulate new businesses. But many well-established companies,
that could have obtained funding in the traditional marketplace, have tapped this fund, and tapped West Virginia taxpayers. This has gone on too long. The bill before you will restrict this money to creating new jobs and new opportunities.
Source: 2001 State of the State Address to West Virginia Legislature
Feb 14, 2001
Bob Wise:
The cupboard is bare, despite national economic growth
Ladies and gentleman, the cupboard is bare. Despite the 3% budget cut which I was forced to impose on the first day of my term, we are looking at a state budget with minimal growth for the next year. We’re paying the price for some reckless decisions
by state government. We have about $9 million in unpaid phone bills, some of them three years old. There have been massive overcommitments on highway projects that we must now fund. The contingency fund that we need to keep in reserve for emergencies has
been depleted-along with several other funds.
We are now at what appears to be the waning days of the longest period of economic growth in our nation’s recent history-and West Virginia has precious little to show for it. I am presenting
a budget that is in balance, a budget with no fat, no frills, and no nonsense. It is a budget that makes tough decisions. It is a budget that says the irresponsible practices that got us in this situation will not be tolerated again.
Source: 2001 State of the State Address to West Virginia Legislature
Feb 14, 2001
Don Blankenship:
Republican control will eventually improve state economy
"It has never been my goal to be a politician," he said to the crowd. "But I do know how important it is to improve our economy and grow our job market. I understand the pain that lack of jobs causes." Blankenship told reporters WV's change from being
controlled by Democrats to Republicans has made the state better for businesses, though the results have not been seen yet. "The thing now is to make sure that they know federal representatives are also in favor of business development," he said.
Source: W.V. MetroNews on 2018 West Virginia Senatorial race
Jan 18, 2018
Earl Ray Tomblin:
We will not impose financial burdens on future generations
I've learned how incredibly important it is to be a good steward of the people's money. And how important it is to say yes when you can, and being strong enough to say no when you can't. That's the key to fiscal responsibility.
My fellow West Virginians, make no mistake, the State of our State is strong. We pay our bills on time and we've invested in our future by continuing to work together as we face future challenges.
We will not impose financial burdens on future generations. In fact, our reserve fund is one of the healthiest in the nation.
We did not get here by accident--we got here with planning, patience and foresight.
Our Rainy Day fund has a savings of over $920 million and it has helped protect and improve the state's credit rating for over 20 years.
Source: 2014 West Virginia State of the State speech
Jan 8, 2014
Jim Justice:
Cut Rainy Day fund by $123M for WV's biggest depression ever
I can't possibly imagine that there is a time as dire and a time as important as tonight. Now, let me tell you. There is no question we've been fiftieth forevermore. We're better than that. Now, like it or not like it, we're dying fiftieth. This is the
most difficult and the biggest depression that we could ever possibly imagine. The biggest of the biggest.[When you keep digging a hole, you eventually get stuck in the bottom of the hole]. We are such in the hole that we got to quit digging.
We got to quit working against one another.
Now, this year, you're going to have to cut the Rainy Day Fund $123 million more. No way around it. Right now.
We've got real problems. I don't mean this in any bad way, but we've got an
18-carat dog's mess, don't we? We do. I didn't create the dog's mess. I have inherited the dog's mess. And I am telling you, you have to have real direction and real ideas and real cooperation together to be able to get out of this.
Source: 2017 West Virginia State of the State address
Feb 8, 2017
Jim Justice:
Balanced $217M budget deficit with no new taxes
The first time I walked in the door [in 2017], things were pretty doggone tough. Our state was bankrupt: a $217,000,000 deficit, and the next year, it's gonna be $497,000,000, and the next year, 600 and some. And I prayed a lot. And I truly give the
good Lord the credit for all the good ideas, and I'll take the credit for the bad ones. But 23 months later, we're here today, there's been lots and lots and lots of hard work. Didn't have anywhere to go. Had to cut. Had to cut to balance the budget.
Well, we haven't had any cut budgets recently, and we're not going to have one today either. Today, we have things that are so good, so pluses. No new taxes. Did you hear that? No new taxes.
You're going to see a budget that is increased less
than the rate of inflation, a budget that is increasing significantly less than the economic growth of our state. And you're able to announce--the biggest in the State's history--a surplus bigger than we've ever had before.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to West Virginia legislature
Jan 9, 2019
Jim Justice:
Proposed nearly $3 billion for infrastructure
Gov. Jim Justice proposed--and through its votes the Legislature has supported--a "Roads to Prosperity" initiative that aims to spend nearly $3 billion in the coming years on road and bridge improvements and repairs throughout the state.
The goals are creating jobs; improving the state's roads and bridges, the condition of which are rated among the worst in the nation; and paving the way for further economic development through improved infrastructure.
Source: Coal Valley News on 2020 West Virginia Governor race
Sep 27, 2017
Jim Justice:
$30 to 50 million to entice business to West Virginia
I would ask you to establish buckets. I'm really big into buckets because I believe when you put something in that bucket, it stays there. I'd ask you to tab a flat, no growth budget in the State of West Virginia for the next three years. I would also
ask you to put $30 to 50 million in a bucket that basically we use to entice businesses to close and to come and bring their employment to West Virginia. And the other bucket that I would like you to establish is an additional rainy day fund.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to West Virginia legislature
Feb 10, 2021
Jim Justice:
Proposes Inflatocine: one-time pay bonus for public workers
Today, it was reported that the consumer price index rose 7% in the month of December, according to the U.S. Labor Department. This is the fastest increase since June 1982, when inflation hit 7.1%. My proposed
Inflatocine will help West Virginians who are hurting when they go to the gas pump or the grocery store. I need your support to pass this one-time pay supplement for our hardworking state employees, teachers, and service personnel.
Source: 2022 State of the State Address to West Virginia legislature
Jan 12, 2022
Joe Manchin III:
CAREFULLY plan stimulus: in planning mode; not panic mode
We have CAREFULLY planned our stimulus spending--reaching the most West Virginians we can with the money we have been provided. West Virginia is a top state for putting stimulus dollars to work on our highways and for building water and sewer lines.Ou
Source: West Virginia 2010 State of the State Address
Jan 13, 2010
John Buckley:
National debt beggars future generations
The federal government spends too much, on countless programs and activities well beyond its enumerated powers under the Constitution. It spends beyond its revenues, leading to trillion-dollar deficits and an accumulated national debt that beggars the
mind (and beggars future generations). Federal spending programs are almost uniformly wasteful, unfairly benefit special interests and politically-connected insiders, and are wielded against the public's interest in order to "buy" the re-election of
career politicians.I support balanced budgets--at a grossly reduced level of spending; the elimination of such federal agencies as the Departments of Education, HUD, and HHS (and significant budget cuts in all other federal departments); and the
privatization of such unnecessary government services as passenger rail (e.g. Amtrak), NPR, coastal flood insurance, and even air traffic control. I will not vote for deficit spending, any increase in the debt ceiling, or any increase in federal spending
Source: 2014 West Virginia Senate campaign website, JohnBuckley.org
Aug 31, 2014
Michael Folk:
Support free enterprise, job creation, and tax reform
The budget needs to be completed during the Regular Legislative session. We should not be expending additional taxpayer funds during an extended session each year just for the budget.
Reduce or eliminate "unclassified" spending in the state budget to reduce or eliminate the amount that is taken from the "rainy" day fund in the coming years. Support free enterprise, job creation, and tax reform.
Source: 2020 West Virginia Governor campaign website Folk4WV.com
Dec 16, 2019
Michael Folk:
State money not spent should go into rainy day fund
Folk was very critical of the budget passed in 2017, saying there are ways to eliminate wasted spending instead of raising taxes on the citizens of West Virginia. "I agree we are spending money on stuff we shouldn't be spending money on,"
Folk told those in attendance. One example of this discussed is the excess of reappropriated dollars. Folk said he was a proponent of a bill that did not go anywhere but would have swept this money not used into a rainy day fund.
Source: Martinsburg Journal-News on 2020 West Virginia Governor race
Feb 20, 2020
Pat McGeehan:
Real crisis is $17T in debt and future unfunded liabilities
In October, the US Congress again raised the debt limit. Much of the media immediately praised the action, as the shut-down "crisis" was finally over, and the government re-opened for business. However, little attention was given to the real crisis.
Within 24 hours of this debt resolution sailing through the Congress, over $350 billion were borrowed--and the government's debt now officially stands well over $17 trillion. This is to say nothing of the untold trillions of dollars in unfunded
liabilities the American taxpayer is expected to cover well into the future. As staggering as these numbers may be, very few in Washington DC understand the magnitude of this national dilemma.
This predicament grows even more dangerous
[because the] deficit is no longer coming from real "borrowed" money. Very few foreigners are loaning money to the American government now; the largest buyer of American debt has now become the Federal Reserve.
Source: McGeehan in Huntington News: 2014 West Virginia Senate race
Dec 8, 2013
Pat McGeehan:
The Fed printing money for debt causes inflation
Where is all of this "borrowed" money coming from in Washington? Over the past several years, the largest buyer of American debt has now become the Federal Reserve, our country's central bank. To permit the federal government to desperately cling
to spending money it doesn't have--last year alone, the Federal Reserve purchased over 75% of all US Treasury bonds. What does this mean?When the Fed steps in as the "lender of last resort", and buys US government debt, new dollars are being created
out of thin air. In essence, the only thing the Fed does have at its disposal is the printing-press, and this has become the new norm in Washington.
Turning to the printing-press has real consequences for the average American: massive devaluation of
the dollar. As more dollars are printed-up by the Federal Reserve, the average American will find that their purchasing power will go down. This can already be seen--at the grocery store or the gas pump. In a way, this represents a tax. The inflation tax
Source: McGeehan in Huntington News: 2014 West Virginia Senate race
Dec 8, 2013
Paula Jean Swearengin:
Create investment banks that will create jobs
Our plan calls for creating regional and state investment banks to invest in kickstarting high-wage industries and modernizing existing industries. These new banks will invest in high-wage industries that will create millions of jobs for the
American people. These regional and state investment banks will work hand in hand with a new national investment corporation that will work to find game-changing new ventures in which the banks can invest.
Source: 2018 West Virginia Senate campaign website PaulaJean2018.com
Jul 17, 2017
Paula Jean Swearengin:
Modernize roadways, bridges, water systems; expand broadband
We must take immediate steps to invest in updating and modernizing our roadways, bridges and water systems. Too many West Virginians fear the water they are drinking out of the tap. Industry is rapidly changing.
West Virginia's economic growth is stifled by a lack of access to modern telecommunications services. If we want to grow our economy and prospects we must call for federal and statewide investments in broadband and telecommunications.
Source: 2020 West Virginia Senate campaign website PaulaJean.com
Jul 6, 2020
Ron Stollings:
Promote economic growth during coronavirus pandemic
Stollings said the state's cuts to public health departments are proving to be costly during the pandemic. He said the governor should be focused on effectively allocating federal resources that will be offered to the state government. "I think
the first dollar out should be given to our small businesses and entrepreneurs," Stollings said. Stollings also said the governor should be prepared to utilize the National Guard to help combat the crisis.
Stollings said he would promote economic growth by prioritizing small businesses, supporting entrepreneurs and expanding the state's technology sector. "This is something we have been working on
in the Senate for some time," Stollings said. Stollings also said he would establish a governor's office of grants and partnerships to take advantage of funding for recovery efforts following the coronavirus crisis.
Source: Marshall Parthenon on 2020 West Virginia governor debate
Mar 25, 2020
Woody Thrasher:
Delays lead to roads needing to be rebuilt, not repaired
"The longer we wait, the more roads will need to be rebuilt, not just repaired, and the more it will all cost," Thrasher said. "Our Highways workers are doing the best they can with severely limited resources and a chief executive who specializes
in stopgaps. We need to help our Division of Highways recruit and maintain the designated workforce levels in each county."
Source: Press release for 2020 West Virginia Gubernatorial race
Jul 9, 2019
Woody Thrasher:
Economic development requires numerous approaches
Thrasher's planned initiatives for economic development are an increased focus on tourism, recruiting companies beyond those involved in resource extraction and improving the state's infrastructure, including broadband access.
He said the same approach to job creation cannot be used throughout the state, noting the variety of resources and opportunities in West Virginia. "Economic development is not a one-size fits all," he said.
Source: Weirton Daily Times on 2020 West Virginia gubernatorial race
Mar 1, 2020
Joe Manchin III:
We're not spending money, we're investing
SEN. JOE MANCHIN (D-WV): This is an inflation reduction act, we're investing, we're not spending money, we're investing. We've taken a $3.5 trillion aspirational bill that I never could come to an agreement on any way shape or form, but I tried,
couldn't get there. And we've taken $3.5 trillion of spending down to $400 billion of investing without raising any taxes whatsoever. We've closed some loopholes, didn't raise any taxes.
SEN. BILL CASSIDY (R-LA): Much of what he says is just not true. For example, they are raising taxes. According to the Joint Committee of Taxation, taxes will be raised almost $17 billion in the first year on those who are making less than $200,000, and
the percent of taxes raised for individuals increases over time for the middle class and the lower income. They're raising taxes on people who make less than $10,000, according to the Joint Committee on Taxation.
Source: ABC This Week on 2020 West Virginia Senate race
Jul 31, 2022
Joe Manchin III:
We're not spending money, we're investing
SEN. JOE MANCHIN (D-WV): This is an inflation reduction act, we're investing, we're not spending money, we're investing. We've taken a $3.5 trillion aspirational bill that I never could come to an agreement on any way shape or form, but I tried,
couldn't get there. And we've taken $3.5 trillion of spending down to $400 billion of investing without raising any taxes whatsoever. We've closed some loopholes, didn't raise any taxes.SEN. BILL CASSIDY (R-LA): Much of what he says is just not true.
For example, they are raising taxes. According to the Joint Committee of Taxation, taxes will be raised almost $17 billion in the first year on those who are making less than $200,000, and the percent of taxes raised for individuals increases
over time for the middle class and the lower income. They're raising taxes on people who make less than $10,000, according to the Joint Committee on Taxation.
Source: ABC This Week on 2022 West Virginia Senate race
Jul 31, 2022
Page last updated: Feb 18, 2023