MORGANTOWN — In an email leaked to Dragline, a blog that follows West Virginia politics, House Majority Whip Paul Espinosa, R-Jefferson, asked his fellow caucus members for ways they could tightened their belts so West Virginia’s personal income tax could be eliminated.
“It’s a guide for discussions,” Espinosa said of his poll that was not meant for public consumption. “We’re still reaching out to members.”
“It has been a goal to implement tax relief.”
One of the proposals brought up in the poll would eliminate state funding to both West Virginia University and Marshall University, published reports said. According to the current budget, the state gives WVU $110.7 million, while Marshall University receives $49.28 million.
The West Virginia Legislature reconvenes Wednesday for its regular 60-day session.
While funding for West Virginia’s two largest public universities will likely be discussed during the upcoming session, a statement issued to The Dominion Post by a WVU spokesperson said the state is getting a solid return for its investment.
“Since 2012, West Virginia University has seen significant reductions to its state appropriation,” the university said. “We are very grateful for the efforts over the past three years by Gov. Justice and the Legislature to stabilize our appropriation. Education is vital to the future growth and economic stability of our state. It is a core foundation in bettering and improving our society – from K-12 to higher education to the research that changes lives for the better.”
“It is our hope that the Legislature will continue to invest in higher education, in the Promise Scholarship, and in our children’s education in general – at least at current levels. As a land-grant institution, WVU has worked diligently – and will continue to work – to keep the cost of tuition and the cost of attendance as low as possible for our students and their families. And West Virginia is getting an excellent return on its investment in higher education and the students and communities we serve.”
“We are preparing to deliver a presentation for the legislature later this month that outlines our fiscal needs for the next year. And we expect that the governor will deliver a flat budget next week,” said Dr. Jerome A. Gilbert, president of Marshall University, via email. “We are closely monitoring news out of the statehouse and are confident our lawmakers will thoughtfully consider the needs of higher education and its impact on our state going forward.”
Espinosa declined to discuss the specifics of his poll. But according to Dragline, Espinosa’s survey suggested:
- Increase sales tax to at least 8% and potentially higher.
- Broadening of increased sales to tax to include previously untaxed items such as professional services, advertising, hair care, contracting services, etc.
- Reinstate food tax at 2.5% to 3%
- Special additional sales tax on luxury goods beyond regular increased sales tax.
- Increase Personal Income Tax on high earners until tax is ultimately eliminated.
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