Legislative Update…By Lori Dittman WV House of Delegates 63rd District

Governor Justice announced revenue collections for August totaled $410 million, which was $22.8 million above estimates. Consumer sales tax lead collections at $159 million which was also above estimate.
Corporation Net Income Tax collections were $ 5.8 million and Severance Tax collections surpassed estimate by $6.2 million.
Omnis Fuel Technologies will invest $800 million in a Pleasants County power plant. In Berkeley County, Treplar will operate a food packaging plant which will result in more than 600 jobs and a $50 million investment. It is encouraging to see the economic development and investment in our state continues to grow.
I would like to take a moment and thank our first responders and volunteers for their service during our recent storms and flooding. Once again when the call goes out, they are there helping West Virginians and making a difference.
September is National Suicide Prevention Month. Commissioner of DHHR’s Bureau for Behavioral Health stated, “This month provides an opportunity to highlight behavioral health resources and encourage individuals to get help if they are having a suicidal crisis or are in significant emotional distress.” Behavioral health resources include a 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. For assistance text 988 for crisis support or call HELP4WV at 1-844-HELP4WV (1-844-435-7498).
The 2023 Gilmer County Farm Show is on September 6th and 7th at 7:00pm at the Gilmer County Rec Center Barn in Glenville. The sale will be held on
September 7th. Please come out to support and encourage our youth. Our nation needs farmers and events like these highlight that need.
The Flatwoods Days Inn by Wyndam will be the site of a celebration of The Flatwoods Monster. The convention will be held on September 9th and is sponsored by Wild & Weird WV LLC, Dave Spinks World of Weird, Small Town Monsters, and Creatureplica. I am sure it will be an out of this world experience.
On a personal note, I completed a 5K in Tyler County over Labor Day weekend. I have now completed races in 52 of 55 West Virginia counties. While it wasn’t an official race, I was pleased to be able to find one in Tyler County. I am near my goal of completing races in all 55 counties. Will and I continue our quest on the WV Waterfall Trail. We visited Glade Creek Grist Mill Falls at Babcock State Park and even picked up some ground meal at the Babcock Grist Mill. This was our 37th of 38 falls on the trail.
Fall sports season has kicked off in high gear. I encourage everyone to get out and support the local youth, middle school, and high school athletic teams. It is also a great opportunity to check out the middle and high school bands. All these students, and their coaches and leaders, work hard and it is rewarding for them to see the stands full of people cheering for them. I would also encourage everyone to look into the schedules and events for other extracurricular activities in our communities to get out and support all our young people. Extracurricular activities provide young people with skills that may be applied throughout life, specifically working together for a common goal.
“No task is too great, no accomplishment too grand, no dream too far-fetched for a team. It takes teamwork to make the dream work.”
(John Maxwell)
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.