Gaunch tours the Weyerhauser facility
in Buckhannon during his listening tour.
Photo by WV Department of Commerce.
WVE: With regard to the business climate and
economy, what do you think needs to be addressed
in the next legislative session?
EG: In terms of the tax structure, the inventory tax West
Virginia imposes is the most onerous tax on the books. The
problem is how to eliminate it because it generates about
$140 million in revenue, all of which goes to the counties,
local governments and schools. I think we could transition
out of that tax by eliminating it over a seven-year period, but
we need to make sure the counties and local governments are
made whole. I think we can do it. It’s easy to do when we have
a rising revenue environment, but the moment that stops or
plateaus, it becomes a problem. In order to be competitive with
surrounding states, this tax must be eliminated, so we must
figure out how to do it.
In terms of regulations, at one point I was told West Vir-
ginia has more than 200 boards and commissions regulating
literally everything that moves. We need a strong review to
eliminate those that can be eliminated and combine others that
share a similar mission with the goal of allowing government
to assist where it can and then get out of the way so businesses
can be businesses. I believe the cooperation we have had with
the department of education, the community and technical
colleges and higher education will lead to initiatives that will
change the business climate in this state dramatically and im-
prove the workforce.
We also need to address the legal environment. There have
already been some substantial changes made there, but we
need to continue to monitor that for any other changes that
need to be made.
WVE: Is there anything else you would like to add?
EG: One thing that hasn’t been mentioned is the perception
of West Virginia as a place to live, play and do business. I think
that perception needs to change. We need to start being more
positive in portraying what West Virginia is and accentuate
the positives. I guess if there is one thing I would love to do,
it would be to somehow produce hope among the people of
West Virginia. I want the commerce department to be the
catalyst so our children and grandchildren can have a future
here. That sounds simplistic, but that’s what it is all about,
and we can do that.
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