According to a report from WOWK, some firefighters in the state of West Virginia firefighters believe certain services they provide are in jeopardy if lawmakers pass a bill that will cut certain taxes on which they rely.
The proposed bill is SB 132, which would require cities that have a one-percent sales tax to reduce and remove business and occupation (B&O) taxes within five years.
South Charleston Fire Department Chief Virgil White said that, if the B&O taxes are eliminated, it would mean a 40-percent reduction of revenue for his city, amounting to several million dollars in loses.
B&O taxes are paid by businesses located within a municipality. Currently, many cities within the state rely on those funds to operate.
Lawmakers who favor the legislation say they are actively meeting with stakeholders to discuss ways to eliminate the tax. However, some first responders say there needs to be a solution that doesn’t impact emergency services.
One of the bill’s sponsors, Senator Rollan Roberts (R-Raleigh), believes SB 132 will likely not move out of committee. However, it does open the door for a discussion about its contents.
The Senator said, in his opinion, B&O taxes need to be eliminated. He says there may be a new bill relating to this topic introduced later in this legislative session.
Roberts adds that lawmakers would not pass a bill that would “pull the rug out from under” firefighters or other vital services.
