State of West Virginia secondary Archives: on Tax Reform
Bill Cole:
Work with legislature to reform our tax code
A mass endorsement from Republican lawmakers has given West Virginia Senate President Bill Cole a commanding lead in rallying political backers for his gubernatorial bid. The Bill Cole for Governor campaign announced that Cole has been
endorsed by every state Senate Republican as well as 49 Republican members of the House of Delegates.In response to the 67 endorsements,
to combating our growing drug epidemic," he said. "I look forward to working with them to reform our tax code, improve our education system and strengthen our transportation network."
Source: Charleston Daily Mail: 2016 West Virginia gubernatorial race
Jun 23, 2015
Bob Wise:
Top-to-bottom review of business taxes & regulations
I will conduct a complete top-to-bottom review of the various tax incentives that have been developed for business over the past several decades. We need to see which ones work, and strengthen them; we need to see if any are ineffective,
and direct those resources elsewhere. And we need to study the tax incentives available in other states and countries and see where we can be more competitive. We will remove obstacles in state government to business start-ups.
We will provide one-stop shopping -available 24 hours a day, seven days a week on the Internet - to entrepreneurs who want to do business in West Virginia. Most new businesses are started by people who already have a day job - and can’t afford to take
time off to stand in lines at state offices.
I am also ordering a review of the state’s regulatory rules and practices. Regulation is important, and can be a shield against unfair practices - if it is effective, and if it is not burdensome.
Source: 2001 State of the State Address to West Virginia Legislature
Feb 14, 2001
Don Blankenship:
Stands behind Trump's agenda including the tax reform bill
Blankenship spoke about multiple political issues--from illegal immigration to tax reform--but all of his points went back to supporting President Donald Trump's agenda.
This included building a wall on the United States' southern border to passing tax legislation.
Source: W.V. MetroNews on 2018 West Virginia Senatorial race
Jan 18, 2018
Jim Justice:
Increase fees, gas tax, and business tax to close deficit
Now, the truth is, it's time for gigantic decisions. The past 4 years, we've lived off Rainy Day. And we've lived off the low-hanging fruit that we could cut away. We've cut probably $600 million of waste. Now, there are two ways you can get there.
The first way is to just cut more. Are you willing to eliminate all of our state parks? Are you willing to eliminate all of your colleges and universities other than Marshall and WVU? Shut them down? Are you really truly willing to gut your seniors?
You gotta cut all that we can possibly cut. But I've got to have everybody in this state pay a half of a penny in additional sales tax. There is no way around it. I've got to have you pay instead of $30 in DMV fees, I've got to have you pay $50.
I've got to have our businesses pay 0.2% in a tax that would be equivalent to a B&O tax. And the last thing is I've got to have ten cents a gallon on gasoline. Now, I am telling you: If you don't do this, you're dead. You're dead beyond belief.
Source: 2017 West Virginia State of the State address
Feb 8, 2017
Jim Justice:
Repeal income tax; increase sales tax 1 «%, add wealth tax
I am asking all of you to join me to repeal the income tax in the State of West Virginia. We're going to have to raise sales taxes by one and a half percent. We need to look at putting an additional tax on cigarettes and soda.
We need to bring into taxation our professional services as well. And then you need to have a wealth tax, a tax on those that are very, very, well to do, that can pay just pay just a little bit extra.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to West Virginia legislature
Feb 10, 2021
Joe Manchin III:
Wealthy corporations got greatest benefit from Trump tax cut
Q: Support President Trump's tax cuts?Joe Manchin (D): No. "The corporations get the greatest cuts, the wealthiest get the greatest benefits.The people that get the least amount.are the people that needed it the most"
Patrick Morrisey (R): Yes. "As a result, West Virginia families are seeing more money in their pockets, unemployment rates continue to drop, & many hardworking West Virginians are receiving bonuses & pay raises."
Source: 2018 CampusElect Issue Guide on West Virginia Senate race
Oct 9, 2018
Michael Folk:
Don't raise taxes on shrinking population
"At a time we are cutting taxes at the national level, in West Virginia, Jim Justice proposed the largest tax increase in West Virginia's history," Folk said in a news release. "It is bad economic policy to increase taxes on a shrinking population.
We must forward policies that allow our citizens to live, work and raise a family with the expectation of being able to see their grandchildren without driving out of state."
Source: Herald-Mail on 2020 West Virginia Governor race
Feb 5, 2019
Patrick Morrisey:
Favors a flat tax
The current tax system is riddled with loopholes that rewards politically connected corporations at the expense of hardworking taxpayers and small business owners.
A simpler, flatter tax system will kick-start economic growth and empower entrepreneurs to create new businesses and hire new employees.
Source: 2018 West Virginia Senatorial website PatrickMorrisey.com
Oct 1, 2017
Patrick Morrisey:
Trump tax cuts mean West Virginians receive bonuses & raises
Q: Support President Trump's tax cuts?Joe Manchin (D): No. "The corporations get the greatest cuts, the wealthiest get the greatest benefits.The people that get the least amount.are the people that needed it the most"
Patrick Morrisey (R): Yes. "As a result, West Virginia families are seeing more money in their pockets, unemployment rates continue to drop, & many hardworking West Virginians are receiving bonuses & pay raises."
Source: 2018 CampusElect Issue Guide on West Virginia Senate race
Oct 9, 2018
Paula Jean Swearengin:
Cut taxes for middle/working class
Our plan lowers taxes and provides tax rebates/refunds to working and middle class people. We will eliminate the need to file federal taxes, since, for regular W2 employees, the government already knows what you owe.
We will bring U.S. corporate taxes into line with global norms, and slash tax loopholes and giveaways in the tax code which they overwhelmingly benefit big business.
Source: 2018 West Virginia Senate campaign website PaulaJean2018.com
Jul 17, 2017
Richard Ojeda:
Raise taxes on natural gas companies building pipelines
Ojeda hasn't been shy about wanting to raise taxes on corporations. He blasted former legislators for "giving away" the state to coal companies without getting anything in return for residents. He added that legislators needed to raise taxes on natural
gas companies putting pipelines throughout West Virginia. "There will be billions pulled from our state," he said. "If we allow that to go, and do not think of the citizens of West Virginia, then shame on all of us."
Source: Vox.com on 2020 West Virginia Senate race
May 9, 2018
Woody Thrasher:
We are not in favor of tax increases
On economic development: "We are not in favor of tax increases," Thrasher said. "As a former commerce secretary who tried to go out and recruit businesses to come to West Virginia, we need to be rolling out a red carpet for those businesses.
We're not proposing the largest tax increase in the history of the state. I think when you look at the real fundamentals, I am way more Republican than this governor ever thought he would be."
Source: The Intelligencer on 2020 West Virginia Gubernatorial race
Oct 6, 2019
Patrick Morrisey:
When we look at the tax cuts, we need to go even farther
He said inflation is hurting those who are living paycheck to paycheck and that further reductions in taxes and reduced regulations for expanded
business opportunities in the state could help to combat that inflation. "When we look at the tax cuts, we need to go even farther," he said.
Source: News and Sentinel on 2024 West Virginia Gubernatorial race
Apr 6, 2023
Mac Warner:
We don't want 87,000 new IRS agents
[In his campaign announcement] at the state Capitol today, he aimed at cultural hot button issues, saying he would defend West Virginia from the "woke" agenda in
Washington, D.C. "Woke" generally means being attentive to societal issues, especially issues of racial and social justice. "D.C. has attacked West Virginia's lifeblood, and it has attacked our way of life.
We don't want their liberal agenda, we don't want 87,000 new IRS agents, we don't want child mutilation, and we want parents to have control in our children's education!
I abhor wokeism, I will not tolerate the disrespect of law enforcement, and I will fight against the absolute silliness of D.C."
Source: WV MetroNews on 2024 West Virginia Gubernatorial race
Jan 10, 2023
Moore Capito:
Always be working to cut taxes so people can reinvest more
Moore believes we should always be working to cut taxes so people can reinvest more in themselves and their businesses. He is pro. business and pro-entrepreneurship because we want
jobs to come here but we also want to create them here. Moore is focused on identifying and eliminating barriers that stand in the way of job growth and job creation
Source: 2024 West Virginia Governor campaign website MooreCapito.com
Jun 20, 2023
Steve Williams:
Eliminated the business and occupation tax on manufacturing
One of the things that we did, that actually turned into our favor when I came in, we eliminated the business and occupation tax on manufacturing. I wanted to get rid of business and occupation tax, but you just don't start doing it blindly.
You put a plan in place. Work it. And as you're working it, the one thing that a leader has to do is to have a vision of where he's going to be. Articulate that vision, build consensus towards it.
Source: Mountain State Spotlight on 2024 West Virginia Governor race
May 17, 2024
Glenn Elliott:
Close loopholes that let wealthy skirt tax obligations
Elliott wants to look at the tax code to close loopholes allowing those earning millions and billions to skirt their tax obligations versus middle class taxpayers who are paying more than their fair share.
He also wants to ensure the union members that make up much of West Virginia's middle class do not lose any more of their rights.
Source: Parkersburg News&Sentinel on 2024 West Virginia Senate race
Apr 13, 2024
Page last updated: Feb 06, 2026