As the last couple of days of July fall from the calendar, I along with others are getting into full school mode. Teachers in Braxton County will return on August 10th and students will make their first day of school appearance on August 16th. Teachers in Gilmer County will report on August 11th and students on August 16th. It is an exciting and busy time.
Both counties have plenty of changes, but one thing stays the same, teaching is a labor of love. May our communities support and care for each other and love our students big. I urge you to see how you can support and even volunteer at your local schools.
The Braxton County Fair is this week at Holly Gray from August 1st to August 5th. A popular post has been shared on Facebook encouraging support for the 4-H and FFA kids. So, let us flood those exhibit halls and bleachers to show our appreciation for the incredible work they do and the families that support them.
To take full advantage of the new tax cuts provided in House Bill 2526:
- Pay the first half of Personal Property Tax on time by December 31, 2023.
- Pay the second half on time by March 31, 2024.
- For 2024 PPT (next year) pay in full by December 31, 2024.
By paying taxes this way, on your 2024 tax return for the state of West Virginia, which you will file after January 1, 2025, you can get a year and a half (half of 2023 and all of 2024) rebate for your PPT. Remember this tax only applies to personal property (vehicles) and please pay on time.
The interim meeting schedule has been posted on the wvlegislature.gov website. Once again, I will be serving on the following committees: Education, Health, Economic Development and Tourism. Meetings will be August 5th through August 9th. No official statement from the governor on a special session has been issued as of the writing of this column.
I will be attending the Highlands Creative Economy Tourism Summit. I look forward to learning about improving visitor experiences, best practices, networking, and local tours. Tourism continues be an economic driver in our state.
“I believe in the future of agriculture, with a faith born not of words but of deeds – achievements won by the present and past generations of agriculturists; in the promise of better days through better ways, even as the better things we now enjoy have come to us from the struggles of former years.”
—FFA Creed
I look forward to hearing from people in the district and hope to see you out and about enjoying all the great things our area has to offer. I can be contacted at lori.dittman@ wvhouse.gov or 304-701-8600.
