Gov. Jim Justice
Justice, a Republican, made an income tax cut the focal point of his State of the State address. Justice then pushed a big income tax cut offset by increased and expanded sales taxes. He says a swift income tax phase out would make West Virginia a popular destination for people to relocate.
The state Senate, with a Republican supermajority, narrowly voted in favor of the plan last week, 18-16.
The House of Delegates, which also has a Republican supermajority, then unanimously voted it down. Delegates expressed concern about the effects of the increased sales tax. They had planned to just quietly table the bill, but then put it to a vote after the governor said at a midday Friday briefing that delegates should be ashamed of themselves for letting it fizzle.