As I write my first column of 2025, we find ourselves in a state of emergency due to an impending snowstorm set to blanket our state. The snow has begun to fall, leading to the cancellation of schools, our Legislative Interim Meetings slated for Monday, and various other activities.
Snow crews are already hard at work, and utility companies are on standby, ready to assist us through the cold and challenging hours ahead. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to them in advance for their tireless efforts.
Additionally, let us remember to check on our neighbors—not just during a storm, but whenever possible. A little kindness can go a long way.
December revenue collections reports have been shared. General Revenue collections for December totaled $575,244,196, above the monthly estimate of $538,545,000 by $36,699,196. Total year-to-date General Revenue collections are $2,676,171,641. Fiscal Year 2025 YTD performance exceeding estimates by $41,732,641.
Personal Income Tax (PIT) collections for December totaled $227,032,203, above the monthly estimate of $215,600,000 by $11,432,203. Total year to date Personal Income Tax collections are $1,080,577,558. Fiscal Year 2025 PIT YTD performance below estimates by $13,722,442. As of the end of December the state has collected 53% of its total estimated PIT yearly collections of $2,023,300,000.
Severance tax collections for December totaled $40,286,647, below the monthly estimate of $45,100,000 by $4,813,353. Total year-to-date Severance Tax collections are $127,631,208. Fiscal Year 2025 Severance Tax YTD performance below estimates by $31,868,792. As of the end of December the state has collected 31% of its total yearly estimated Severance Tax collections of $406,300,000.
Consumer Sales and Use Tax collections for December totaled $169,076,387, below the monthly estimate of $172,000,000 by $2,923,613. Total year-to-date Consumer Sales and Use tax collections are $888,926,046. Fiscal Year 2025 YTD performance exceeding estimates by $2,126,046. As of the end of December the state has collected 48% of its total estimated Consumer Sales and Use tax collections of $1,841,000,000.
According to the United Van Lines 48th Annual National Mover Study, Americans are looking for economic relief without compromising their quality of life, leading to a growing trend of moving to less crowded and more affordable areas. West Virginia has the highest percentage of inbound moves, while New Jersey has the highest percentage of outbound moves for the seventh year in a row. This is good news for Mountain State. States in the Sunbelt, such as South Carolina, Alabama, and Arkansas, are also becoming popular as people leave expensive urban centers with fewer opportunities.
However, since 2020, Berkeley, Monongalia, Jefferson, Hampshire, Hardy, and Morgan have the only counties out of our fifty-five to see increases. Since 2020, Braxton has seen a decrease of 1.97% and Gilmer a decrease of 2.95%. I believe where there is business investment in our state, the population will grow. Let’s believe and promote everywhere we go the benefits of living in central West Virginia.
On the federal level Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Senator Mark Warner (D-Va.) have introduced The Rural Historic Tax Credit Improvement Act. The Rural Historic Tax Credit Improvement Act aims to boost economic growth in rural areas by increasing the historic tax credit to 30% (and up
to 40% for affordable housing), allowing it to be used with the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, enabling first-year claims for small projects, making the credit transferable, and simplifying transactions. Enhancing the credit will make rural historic tax credit projects more financially viable, leading to an increase in the number of these projects being completed in rural areas. Let us hope their efforts to address the needs of rural areas will be a success.
I’m excited to see what 2025 holds for all of us and am eager to continue to do my best for all of you.
“How noble and good everyone could be if, every evening before falling asleep, they were to recall to their minds the events of the whole day and consider exactly what has been good and bad. Then without realizing it, you try to improve yourself at the start of each new day.”
(Anne Frank)
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 [email protected] or 304-701-8600.
Devoted to Braxton County, West Virginia