CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Gov. Jim Justice was feeling a lot like a coach Wednesday when he gathered with leading lawmakers and members of his administration at the state capitol to celebrate the “victories” in this week’s special session.
Members of the House and Senate passed all six bills Justice introduced. Most of them connected to the Oct. 7 passage of the $1.6 billion road bond issue in a statewide election.
Justice seemed to be enjoying the winning streak.
“We’re on our way, I mean, that’s all there is to it. This state is really on the move and all I’m going to do is just going to stand behind and row the boat a little bit,” Justice said.
State Senate President Mitch Carmichael (R-Jackson) presented Justice with a basketball that had 60-1 on it, standing four 54 of the 55 counties that approved the road bond and six legislative victories.
“That’s not bad,” Justice said among laughter from those at the news conference.
Justice credited his new chief of staff, former Senate Finance Committee Chairman Mike Hall, with scoring a few of those legislative victories Tuesday.
“If it weren’t for Mike I might have been 59 and 2,” Justice said.
He also wanted to share the victories with others.
“It’s for all West Virginians in every way, shape, form or fashion,” he said. “These wins are for all of us.”
Gov Justice holds a press conference to discuss the special legislative session. https://t.co/acyx2APuKo
— Governor Jim Justice (@WVGovernor) October 18, 2017
Jobs Act
During an appearance Wednesday on MetroNews “Talkline,” West Virginia AFL-CIO President Josh Sword praised the governor and lawmakers for voting to strengthen the West Virginia Jobs Act.
The changes include strengthening the residency requirements of workers and upping the fines for contractors who violate the act’s provisions when it comes to hiring most of the workers on a state-funded project from the local labor force.
Sword said he’s now looking forward to enforcement.
“There’s some real teeth to that provided it is enforced,” Sword said. “Hopefully it will make sure that these contractors are abiding by the law.”
House of Delegates Judiciary Committee Chair John Shott (R-Mercer) said on “Talkline” Wednesday lawmakers would be taking additional steps in the regular session to make sure there’s transparency in connection with the highway construction program funded by the bond issue.
“This is not the last step–it’s just the first step in trying to strengthen provisions that protect these funds from being improperly spent,” Shott said.
Veterans tax exemption
Lawmakers also approved a bill exempting military pensions from the state’s personal sales tax. There’s already been an exemption for veterans with lower pension amounts, the bill covers all amounts.
“We now want to be flooded with vets in every way,” Justice said. “What those people do and have done for us is just unbelievable.”
Sen. Ryan Weld (R-Brooke) said he believes the state will end up attracting some very talented veterans.
“They can open businesses. They could be economic drivers. They could go to work for a preexisting company in the state of West Virginia,” Weld said during an interview on “Talkline.” “These are people with skills that West Virginia can attract and try to retain them here to be part of our workforce.”
Weld predicted veterans coming into the state would more than make up for the $3.1 million lost annually as a result of the tax cut.
Other bills passed included:
— a measure that will allow for the state Division of Highways and state Tax Department to accelerate hiring efforts;
— the allowing of certain information about contractors to be shared by the state Tax Commissioner with the state Division of Highways;
— increasing the tax credit on the rehabilitation of historic structures.