State of West Virginia secondary Archives: on Social Security
Al Gore:
Bush’s “federal program” flub indicates ingrained hostility
[Bush] sent a spokesperson out there to say ‘He misspoke, Social Security is a federal program.’ But it wasn’t a slip of the tongue. It was an expression of ingrained hostility to our ability as Americans to work through the instruments of self-governmen
that our founders wrote into our Constitution. There is a preference on the other side for a dog-eat-dog, ‘every-person-to-himself’ mentality that works fine for the very wealthy, but does not work very well for those who are struggling to get by.
Source: Speech in West Virginia
Nov 4, 2000
Earl Ray Tomblin:
Privatize W.V.'s workers' compensation system
We must be responsible stewards of State finances. We did that with our West Virginia Unemployment Trust Fund. Our fund is stable and solvent. While 27 other states have had to borrow billions from the federal government to pay benefits, we have not
borrowed one dime!We took the necessary steps to reform and privatize our workers' compensation system. That effort has resulted in rates that have been reduced by more than 47% since 2005. Our premiums are now below the national average!
Source: West Virginia 2012 State of the State Address
Jan 11, 2012
Jay Wolfe:
Allow investing payroll tax in private accounts
Wolfe indicates support of the following principles regarding Social Security. - Allow workers to invest a portion of their payroll tax in private accounts that they manage themselves.
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Support proportional increases of Social Security benefits based on the cost of living index.
Source: West Virginia Congressional 2008 Political Courage Test
Aug 8, 2008
Jim Justice:
Totally exempt on your Social Security from State income tax
Today is the time for us to eliminate the tax on Social Security. Let me just say this, that what we're going to do in regard to Social Security is two things. We're going to give you a choice. If you want the
$8,000 deduction, you can keep that. If you don't want that and you want totally exempt on your Social Security from State income tax, you've got that. Your choice.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to West Virginia legislature
Jan 9, 2019
Jim Justice:
Eliminate state tax on Social Security benefits
Justice is proposing the elimination of a state tax on Social Security benefits, and offering significant funding increases for substance abuse, social services and tourism in the next fiscal year. If passed by the Republican-controlled Legislature,
eliminating the Social Security tax would mean a $50 million reduction in revenue collected. West Virginia is among 13 states that currently tax Social Security benefits. Surrounding states are not among them.
Source: Martinsburg Herald-Mail on 2020 West Virginia governor race
Jan 10, 2019
Jim Justice:
Signs law phasing out tax on Social Security for most
Starting in the 2020 tax year, most citizens across West Virginia will begin to see an elimination on their social security tax. This is after Justice signed House Bill 2001, which exempts Social Security benefits from personal income taxes in a
three-year phase-in. Starting with a person's 2019 taxes, the tax will be eliminated by 35 percent in the first year, increasing to 65 percent the following year and to the full 100 percent in the third year.
Source: W.V. MetroNews on 2020 West Virginia gubernatorial race
Mar 28, 2019
Joe Manchin III:
Expand Social Security without privatization
Q: Support full or partial privatization of Social Security?Joe Manchin (D): No. Supports expansion.
Patrick Morrisey (R):
Unclear. "Consider reforms to keep Social Security & Medicare solvent," but "not make changes that would negatively impact retirees."
Source: 2018 CampusElect Issue Guide on West Virginia Senate race
Oct 9, 2018
Michael Folk:
Eliminate state tax on Social Security
West Virginia is 1 of only 13 States that tax Social Security. Why is Social Security "double taxed"? You are taxed on all income before
Social Security withholding during your career. You should not have to pay again, once you receive the benefits in retirement.
Source: 2020 West Virginia Governor campaign website Folk4WV.com
Dec 16, 2019
Patrick Morrisey:
Reforms to keep Social Security & Medicare solvent
Q: Support full or partial privatization of Social Security?Joe Manchin (D): No. Supports expansion.
Patrick Morrisey (R):
Unclear. "Consider reforms to keep Social Security & Medicare solvent," but "not make changes that would negatively impact retirees."
Source: 2018 CampusElect Issue Guide on West Virginia Senate race
Oct 9, 2018
Paula Jean Swearengin:
Fix solvency by lifting cap on incomes over $137,000
The solvency of Social Security is easily fixed by lifting the cap on incomes over $137 thousand. But solvency isn't the real problem. We need accurate and adequate cost of living adjustments
now for our future generations, we need to bring back unions and strengthen our social security so all of us can have comfortable retirement.
Source: The Herald-Dispatch on 2020 West Virginia Senate race
Apr 4, 2020
Shelley Moore Capito:
Raise payroll cap above $200,000
Q: What measures do you support to making social security solvent again?Capito: "I do believe we should bust the [payroll] cap on the social security taxes and I'd be willing to take it above the $200,000 number."
Tennant: "I am supportive of
raising the cap to $240,000. Another way that we can keep social security solvent is, quite simply, raise minimum wage. If you have more people getting paid, they're going to pay into social security more."
Source: WV MetroNews on 2014 West Virginia Senate debate
Oct 8, 2014
Alex Mooney:
Reform Social Security to prevent insolvency & tax increases
Mooney understands the need to protect Social Security, which is on track to be insolvent by 2035, resulting in an estimated 25% decrease in benefits for recipients. Congress must act to ensure Social Security never gets to that point. Mooney is committed
to working together in a bipartisan fashion to accomplish reforms to our critical Medicare and Social Security programs. By doing so, we can prevent future program insolvency, or emergency tax and spending increases to fully fund these programs.
Source: 2024 West Virginia Senate campaign website MooneyForWV.com
Apr 24, 2023
Glenn Elliott:
Oppose any attempts to undermine these critical programs
Our seniors, who have given their best years to building a brighter future for us all, deserve to retire with the dignity and security they have earned. Yet, today, they face an uncertain future as the pillars of Social Security and
Medicare show signs of strain. In the Senate, I will oppose any attempts to undermine these critical programs and will work tirelessly to improve and expand them by making sure they have sustainable funding sources.
Source: 2024 West Virginia Senate campaign website ElliottForWV.com
Jun 18, 2024
Page last updated: Feb 06, 2026