West Virginia House Debates Income Tax Reduction Bill
The West Virginia House of Delegates spent over an hour debating amendments to an income tax reduction bill. The Senate had previously agreed to implement a 5% income tax cut valued at $125 million and proposed raising taxes on vapes as an offsetting measure. The House rejected the vape tax amendment but passed the 5% income tax reduction plan.
Key Points at a Glance
- The West Virginia House of Delegates spent over an hour debating amendments to an income tax reduction bill just one day before the legislative session was set to conclude.
- The bill originated from a proposal by Governor Patrick Morrisey for a 10% income tax cut valued at $250 million.
- The Senate’s version agreed to implement a 5% income tax cut valued at $125 million and proposed raising taxes on vapes as an offsetting measure.
- The House rejected the vape tax amendment that had been added by the Senate.
House Spends Final Hours of Session Debating Amendments
On March 16, 2026. WOWK-TV reported that with only one day remaining in the West Virginia legislative session, members of the House of Delegates spent more than an hour attempting to amend an income tax reduction bill.
Origin of the Proposal: Governor Morrisey’s Tax Cut Plan
The bill is a version of the 10% income tax reduction plan valued at $250 million originally proposed by Governor Patrick Morrisey.
Governor Suggested 5%–10% Income Tax Reduction Range
In his State of the State address. Governor Morrisey stated that he wished to push for an income tax reduction ranging from 5% to 10%. However, on the first day of the session, lawmakers learned that the Governor’s office had actually only calculated the fiscal impact for a 5% reduction, expecting the legislators to figure out the details for the remaining portion.
Senate Version Linked Vape Tax Increase to Budget Plan
While crafting the budget. The Senate agreed to implement a 5% income tax cut valued at $125 million while simultaneously proposing to raise taxes on vape products as an offsetting measure.
House Delegates Criticize Senate’s Approach
When this income tax reduction bill was brought before the House for consideration, several delegates expressed dissatisfaction with the Senate’s version.
State Delegate Marty Gearheart remarked that the Senate seems to believe it can do whatever it pleases with the House. He further stated that this constitutes a tax increase, precisely the kind of measure that the majority in the House of Delegates had previously pledged not to enact.
House Rejects Vape Tax but Passes Income Tax Cut
Although the House rejected the vape tax amendment added by the Senate, it nevertheless passed a plan for a 5% reduction in the state income tax, though it did express reservations before the vote.
Lawmakers Question Economic Impact of the Tax Cut
State Delegate Sean Hornbuckle noted that, for the average West Virginia family, this tax cut amounts to approximately $68 per year funds that could otherwise have been utilized to fill potholes. He also pointed out just how many potholes a sum of $125 million could repair.
Vernon Criss, Chairman of the House Finance Committee, remarked that this tax cut appears to be getting ahead of current economic conditions; he expressed hope that the state’s fiscal revenue would not experience significant fluctuations in the coming year.
Senate Must Approve House Amendments
The process now moves forward, as the Senate must formally agree to the House’s amendments specifically. The removal of the Senate’s proposed vape tax.
