The Joint Select Committee on Tax Reform met for an all-day session yesterday to examine the current tax system and if any changes are needed. WVFA was present for the meeting.

Tax committee co-chair and House Finance Committee chairman Eric Nelson chaired the meeting that aims to evaluate ways of making West Virginia’s tax environment fair, simple and pro-economic growth. The business franchise tax that came off the books Jan. 1 made West Virginia more competitive with surrounding states, Nelson said, and the committee seeks more of the same. "Through this whole process, we want to see how competitive we are with other states," he said. "At later meetings we’ll have some national entities come in and talk about what other states have done."

Vowing an open-minded approach to tax reform, Nelson said the state’s tax code is overdue for re-evaluation. "We’ve not, as a state, looked at our tax situation since 2006—nine years," he said. "And then prior to that it was seven years. So I think it’s prudent upon us to on a regular basis always ask are taxes where they need to be."

More detail will be forthcoming, but the registration form, approved by the Annual Meeting Program Committee, is attached below. The meeting will again be at Canaan Valley Resort & Conference Center, July 8-12.

MAKE YOUR PLANS, NOW, TO JOIN US IN CANAAN!

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) wants the public to help prevent the spread of invasive pests. These pests cost our nation an estimated $120 billion each year in damages to our environment, agriculture, forests and native species. USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has identified 18 "Hungry Pests" as some of the most destructive invasive species that people can unknowingly spread in the things they move, pack and bring home from vacations.

In a follow-up to our recent article regarding the National Association of State Foresters Report on State Water BMPs, WVFA provides herewith a link to a recently posted overview video/presentation from NASF on the project, presented by Paul Tauke, Iowa State Forester and chair of the NASF Forest Resources Management Committee.

On April 29, the WV Tree Farm Committee met in Flatwoods. The following were present: Mona Griswold, Barb McWhorter, Jim Mitchell, Jerry Waybright, Rick Persinger, Karen Sykes, Terry Jones, Russ Richardson, Frank Stewart, Joe Garrett, Rudy Williams and Michael Sieber. Dave McGill, Bob Radspinner and Buck Chestnut participated by phone.

An Anti-trust Statement was read, and the February meeting minutes and financial statements were approved as presented.