Governor Justice Delivers State of the State Address

West Virginia Governor Jim Justice took an optimistic tone in his 2021 State of the State Address in the House Chambers at the state capitol on Wednesday night. He stressed how West Virginia's image has improved throughout the pandemic by virtue of West Virginia's COVID-19 response and increased recognition of our tourism resources - and highlighted future economic opportunities for the state.

The Governor highlighted several key proposals that he endorsed. The first proposal is to repeal the income tax in West Virginia, which makes up 43% of the State's General Fund.  His proposal is to make up the shortfall to the General Fund by raising the sales tax 1.5% and increasing the sales tax base by taxing professional services; adding a wealth tax; and, putting an additional tax on cigarettes and soda.

Governor Justice acknowledged that West Virginia needs to increase access to high speed internet, "we need to do any and everything we can to blanket our state with broadband. It will make us better and better and better, and the opportunities just abound everywhere."

Governor Justice proposed to increase his cabinet by elevating two agencies to cabinet level – the Department of Tourism and the Department of Economic Development. The leaders of these Departments, Chelsea Ruby at Tourism and Mitch Carmichael at Economic Development would then serve as Cabinet Secretaries.

The Governor attributed much of West Virginia’s improved national image to the Department of Tourism’s efforts, including a new slogan – Almost Heaven. West Virginia State Parks are enjoying millions of visitors as a result of investing $100 Million in park upgrades. West Virginia is home to the nation’s newest national park – the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve.

Justice then turned to the economic opportunities that West Virginia is poised to exploit – Hyperloop, MHIRJ at the North Central Airport, and the possibility of enticing remote workers to West Virginia through a partnership with Intuit. As a new Cabinet Secretary, Mitch Carmichael would head the efforts to bring these possibilities to fruition.

Finally, Governor Justice acknowledged the efforts of distinguished West Virginians including West Virginia’s Teacher of the Year Erin Anderson, a fifth grade teacher at Tennerton Elementary in Upshur County. Justice went on to commend West Virginia’s COVID-19 Response Team including COVID Czar Dr. Clay Marsh, National Guard General James Hoyer, DHHR Secretary Bill Crouch and Dr. Amjad.  He also paid tribute to the over 2,175 West Virginians we have lost to the coronavirus.