A newly-formed political organization incorporated by former Senate President Bill Cole, a car dealership owner, is making a communications push for a big tax proposal by his former political rival, Gov. Jim Justice.
“Opportunity Now West Virginia” filed its incorporation with the state on March 10, set up a Facebook page so fresh it has no posts and sent out its first mailing to promote the tax proposal today.
Cole, a Republican who ran for governor in 2016 against Justice, who was then a Democrat, joined other business leaders at a roundtable with the governor earlier this week.
He made note of his earlier political rivalry with Justice, saying he has put that aside. “We were all in it for the right reasons, the reason being a successful future for our state, an opportunity to have our children here, to stay here and find their wealth.”
Cole, who has been active with the West Virginia Auto Dealers Association, was critical of the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce and the West Virginia Business and Industry Council for their criticisms of Justice’s proposal.
He said those who joined him at the roundtable “realize what an incredible difference this will make in our state. I would strongly encourage people to get on board and get with it that are all the outside groups. It’s that age-old doing things the same way and expecting different results.”
Opportunity Now West Virginia describes itself as a 501(c)(4) organization “dedicated to advancing economic growth and prosperity across the state of West Virginia through business- and people-friendly policies.
It continued, “We believe in putting money back into the pockets of West Virginians and support Governor Jim Justice’s proposed elimination of the personal income tax to move the Mountain State toward a better future.”
The organization’s website does not include a “Who We Are” section, but does include an action page.
The website urges people to “Contact your legislators in Charleston and urge them to eliminate West Virginia’s personal income tax and help us build a better future for West Virginians!”
“Make the phone calls you can make,” Cole said at this week’s roundtable, “and let’s truly not miss the opportunity to move this state forward.”
Opportunity Now West Virginia sent out an email blast today, directing people to conservative broadcaster Sean Hannity’s radio show that had Justice as a guest.
The email notes that Hannity called it “the boldest plan ever put forward by any single governor” that would “put cash back into the pockets of every single person in West Virginia.”
The email also notes recent attention to Justice’s proposal by conservative columnist Cal Thomas and conservative broadcaster Hugh Hewitt.
Justice has made a big push to cut West Virginia’s personal income tax by 60 percent, while making up most of tax base with a variety of increases.
An outline of the governor’s plan estimates initial personal income tax reductions totaling $1,035,650,000 and rebates totaling $52 million for lower-income residents — but also tax increases of $902,600,000 to make up for most of those breaks.
The proposal would also raise a variety of other taxes, including on soft drinks, tobacco, beer and wine. And Justice proposes taxing some professional services for the first time, including law offices, accountants, gyms and more. He also advocates a “luxury tax” on some items costing more than $5,000. And he proposes sliding scales for severance taxes for coal, oil and natural gas, paying more when markets are better.
Business groups like the Chamber and BIC have expressed serious reservations about the effects of the increased and expanded sales taxes.
Justice has tried to counteract those concerns by gathering his own groups of business leaders and through a series of town hall promotions. He was having a town hall near Beckley today and announced two in the Eastern Panhandle on Thursday.
Another of his former political rivals has also expressed support.
Woody Thrasher, who owns an engineering firm bearing his name, was forced out as Justice’s Commerce Secretary and then ran in the Primary Election against Justice last spring.
Now Thrasher is speaking in favor of the governor’s tax plan.
“The one thing the governor and I have in common is great love for West Virginia,” Thrasher said today on MetroNews’ “Talkline.”
Thrasher, like Justice, has pointed toward West Virginia’s continued population decline. He said the elimination of personal income tax will be an enticement for people.
“We’d better find a way to turn it around quickly and significantly,” Thrasher said, “and I think this is the way to do it.”
Woody Thrasher talks with @HoppyKercheval about his support for the Governor’s tax plan and how it will pan out for WV. WATCH: https://t.co/wkudfIRZCB pic.twitter.com/5upcNgXZ44
— MetroNews (@WVMetroNews) March 24, 2021