Governor Tomblin Signs Senate Bill 419

Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin today signed Senate Bill 419, terminating taxes imposed under Workers’ Compensation Debt Reduction:
“I appreciate the work of the Legislature to come together and pass this critical legislation to pay off the state’s old workers’ compensation debt more than a decade ahead of schedule, lowering severance taxes on our coal and natural gas industries. This legislation provides flexibility to fill the current year’s budget shortfall, while keeping the promises of nearly 10 years ago.
“This January, I presented a structurally sound and fiscally responsible balanced budget for Fiscal Year 2017, and I encourage the Legislature to pass this proposal that uses no money from the Rainy Day Fund and does not include any across-the-board cuts beyond those already in place.”