CHARLESTON, W.Va. — State Revenue Secretary Bob Kiss anticipates the state government hiring freeze will remain in effect for the foreseeable future.
“I think we are still two or three months away from being comfortable in recommending we back away from it,” Kiss said Wednesday with the release of the latest state revenue collections.
The secretary has repeatedly said the money saved during the freeze has helped the state balance its budget.
Tax collections were better in August than previous months. The state missed its revenue estimate by just $1.3 million. Kiss said things are getting better but the state hasn’t turned the corner.
“We’re kind of in the same situation,” he said. “We are continuing to monitor it and watch it closely. At this point it doesn’t appear we need to take any remedial action.”
August was better for severance tax collections as the money brought in modestly exceeded estimates but personal income tax collections, the state’s largest area of tax collection, continues to be off pace.