On Friday, the WV Senate passed the House-amended S.B. 419 (the Governor's WC/budget/severance-tax bill), 33-0. The House of Delegates had passed the legislation on a vote of 96-3, on Thursday. This version, among other things, reduces severance taxes on timber in our state to 1.50 percent and completely eliminates the tax in 2019. The bill was signed by the Governor, yesterday.

You may recall a report here that the House Finance Committee passed the bill without a dissenting vote. In fact, every vote taken on elimination of the timber severance tax has been not even close; there were massive pro-elimination votes in 2015 and 2016, in committees and on the floors.

In signing the bill, Gov. Tomblin said, "This legislation provides flexibility to fill the current year’s budget shortfall, while keeping the promises of nearly 10 years ago." This echoed heartfelt remarks in the House Finance Committee that spoke to WV industries that have historically been promised reductions and/or eliminations without realizing them; even after those industries had done more than their share to fund state government.

Both the Legislative and Executive branches are keeping promises. Please take a moment to thank members of the legislature for their votes to pass this bill. Let's hope they keep the promise of elimination in 2019.

Yesterday, the West Virginia Chamber issued an "urgent alert" to inform its members about HB 2704, which would have caused a significant expansion of the sales tax to subcontractors (e.g., loggers) and added to small businesses (i.e., those without in-house accountants and lawyers) cost of doing business, by taxing professional services.

WVFA shared this disconcerting development with many of you. Today, we are is pleased to report that the House of Delegates voted 92-2 to table to bill (lay it aside).

But, as it is possible that other tax bills could emerge in the remaining twelve days of legislative activity, we will continue to vigilantly monitor legislative activity and inform you. To all WVFA members who called and e-mailed legislators yesterday, thank you!

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"Pageant ladies, listen up! I’m Allie Cole, 2015 West Virginia Forestry Association Timber And Wood Queen. The 2016 Pageant is now taking applications for all ages, from babies to married women – and the deadline is march 5th! Email wvfa@wvfa.org to register for the Queen, Teen, Mrs., Ms., Junior, Little, Tiny, or Baby Miss pageants. Email today – wvfa@wvfa.org – the West Virginia Forestry Association. The deadline is march 5th."