AARP dropped off petitions signed by 1,300 West Virginia residents to urge state Senate action on phasing out state taxes on Social Security income.
“We have talked to our members. They have overwhelmingly told us that this is something they want,” said Jane Marks, president of AARP West Virginia.
“So we delivered a good portion of those requests today, and we strongly urge the Senate and Senate president to take action on this issue that is very important to older West Virginians.”
AARP officials and volunteers dropped off copies of the petitions in the offices for the Senate president and majority leader on Tuesday afternoon.
The Social Security proposal is one of three tax breaks the governor proposed during his State of the State speech. One is a state child and dependent care tax credit. The other would expand the senior citizen homestead property tax cut. The administration estimated the three tax breaks combined add up to about $50 million.
The House of Delegates last week passed legislation to phase out taxes on Social Security over three years.
The legislation would build on a 2019 bill signed into law by the governor to exempt Social Security income from personal income taxes for most West Virginians, particularly those in lower tax brackets. That was also a three-year phase-out.
This proposal, HB 4880, would exempt those in higher brackets from being taxed on Social Security benefits.
The Senate hasn’t yet taken up legislation to eliminate state taxes on Social Security, but it could still act on what the House has passed. A Senate bill reflecting the tax elimination demonstrates support because 27 of 34 senators signed on as sponsors.
The Senate Finance Committee would typically review a tax cut bill. Senate Finance put the annual budget bill on its agenda each of the last two days but then removed the bill before actually taking it up.
AARP, which represents older and retired citizens, is trying to demonstrate support for the tax cut.
“We understand they’re in very high level discussions right now about the budget,” Marks said, “and we think this is an opportune time for them to understand what West Virginians truly want.”