The West Virginia Citizens for a Sound Economy ARGUS
The Citizens for a Sound Economy citizen activist organization — first and foremost are firmly against new taxes. We are fighting for lower taxes! CSE contributes to our forefathers’ ideals of economic freedom and prosperity by working to inform and educate all citizens in the economic policymaking process.
Uniting with more than 250,000 members of CSE Foundation is the fundamental belief that a strong and vibrant free-market economic system offers the best hope for creating opportunity and improving the quality of life for every American.
That is why, since our founding in 1984, CSE has strongly supported lower taxes, less government and fewer regulations. Through our educational activities we share our philosophy and promote ideas that advance economic liberty.
We sincerely hope this issue summary encourages you to join CSE in our mission to promote economic freedom.
Mason County Commission Imposes Extra Tax on Local Business
The County Commission of Mason County met in the Courthouse, Thursday, June 26, 2003, in regular session.
Present were Rick Handley, President, Phyllis Arthur and Bob Baird, Commissioners; and John D. Gerlach, Administrator.
“Upon motion by (Phyllis) Arthur and unanimous agreement, the Commission approved the following hotel-motel tax ordinance:” A 13 page order of the commission is to impose a local hotel occupancy tax.
The hotel-motel tax ordinance would be placed upon Mason Motel located between Mason and Hartford. The Lowe Hotel was not taxed. The newly enacted three (3) percent tax purpose would be used partly for tourism.
Business owners in Mason County are having a hard time making it. West Virginia has a climate of high taxes and regulations on its businesses; high Worker’s Compensation premiums make it nearly impossible to compete with neighboring states.
Fundamentally, people pay taxes, not businesses. When a government body raises taxes on a business—the people pay. Management of the Mason Motel stated the bulk of their clientele are construction workers in the area on temporary assignment—not tourist. Section Four – Allocation Formula states “Fifty percent (50%) of all proceeds collected under this tax will be designated to the Visitor’s Bureau.”
The Mason Motel owners, Frank and Dinah Stewart, were unaware of the tax being imposed upon their business until they read it in the local newspaper. Upon advise of counsel from Damon Morgan, Prosecuting Attorney, the Commission did not hold a public hearing on imposing the new tax.
Mayor Jim Wilson who has expressed reluctance to pass a bed tax at the Lowe Hotel made the following comment: “Another tax on people struggling doesn’t make sense.”
The Citizens for a Sound Economy opposes higher taxes and supports more efficiency in the county government.
From the minutes of the meeting: The Commission agreed to move the July 17th meeting to July 10th and change the July 24th meeting to 4:00 p.m.
Social Security Reform Needed
Social Security reform is perhaps the most important issue for the 2004 elections. The current system is failing, threatening the 232,000 retirees that receive Social Security in West Virginia. If Social Security is not reformed, it will begin to run deficits by 2018. The system as a whole will be completely bankrupt by the year 2042. Then, we will be forced to either raise taxes or decrease benefits in order to meet the demands of entitlement. Neither of these options is acceptable.
No doubt about it, there’s an important debate underway about the future of Social Security.
CSE’s Five Principles for Sound Social Security Reform
1) Guarantee current and near retirees that they will continue to receive every dollar of Social Security Benefits that they’ve been PROMISED.
2) Allow working Americans to divert a portion of the 12.4 percent payroll taxes they now pay into the Social Security system into Personal Retirement Accounts that they – not politicians – own and control.
3) Allow working Americans to invest their Personal Retirement Accounts with a broad range (of government-approved and government regulated) investment companies, including stock brokerage firms, banks, and insurance companies. A portion of their payroll taxes would be sent to the investment company of their choice rather than to Washington.
4) Grant every American full control of their retirement nest egg and the right to pass on any unused funds to their family or favorite charity.
5) Do not raise taxes.
BETTER RETIREMENT SECURITY, MORE CONTROL – MAKE IT PERSONAL.
Worker’s Compensation Reform Bill
News from the West Virginia Legislature Special Session
West Virginia State Senator Lisa D. Smith who represents the Fourth Senatorial District co-sponsored the much-needed reform for the Worker’s Compensation system.
Senator Lisa Smith said, “Almost everyone in the state agreed that we needed to do something immediately about our ailing worker’s compensation system. We must think of the well being of our state’s workforce. It is equally important that we have a fair, working system for businesses as well. West Virginia must improve its economy and fix our broken worker’s compensation. We have taken the first step in doing so.”
Malpractice Legislation
The inability to retain and recruit doctors has been a major problem for West Virginia.
The state’s problems with malpractice insurance make it very hard to get doctors to stay in the state, let alone relocate here. “It’s hard to get them to stay when they are looking at you and telling you –I can’t afford my liability insurance,” explained Senator Lisa Smith when she spoke to the Jackson General Hospital staff about the malpractice legislation.
Basically, the problem is that West Virginia is well known to be very liberal in awarding plaintiff’s damages in lawsuits. There are hardly any insurance carriers in the state and those that are here lack competition and are very expensive.
Another aspect of the Malpractice Legislation was the need for disciplinary action. The bill before the legislature requires the Board of Medicine to investigate a doctor who has had three malpractice judgments within a five-year period.
Lawsuit Abuse
Change of Venue: Senate Bill 213 will ban plaintiff’s from moving a lawsuit to West Virginia unless the person is a resident of the state or the incident took place in the state.
Action Alert
CSE wants to continue to keep you up to date on the latest developments in the battle for lower taxes, less government, and more freedom in West Virginia and on the national stage. We want you to have the information that you need to make a difference and let you know about opportunities to get more involved within your community. Please include your contact information to ensure that you receive CSE’s weekly updates. Make sure we have your email.
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Alice Click, West Virginia CSE Argus Editor P.O. Box 21, Point Pleasant, WV 25550
