In 2021, after years of trying to reform West Virginia’s tax structure, the West Virginia Legislature adopted House Joint Resolution 3, also known as the Property Tax Modernization Amendment. The constitutional amendment seeks to modernize our Constitution and will give our Legislature the flexibility to cut or eliminate property taxes on personal motor vehicles, and the taxes businesses pay on their equipment, machinery, and inventory. Because personal property taxes are a constitutional provision in West Virginia, changes to the tax structure can only be made through a constitutional amendment.

If passed, Amendment Two will give legislators the authority to revisit our State Constitution and to start the process of adjusting certain personal property taxes (i.e., machinery and equipment, inventory, and personal motor vehicles). The impetus behind Amendment Two is ultimately to create a modernized tax structure that will create more jobs, attract economic development, and cut taxes for hard-working West Virginians.

WVADA has joined forces with several other state associations in rolling out a “Make West Virginia First” campaign. We have a live website (makewvfirst.com), where you can sign up for information updates and notices. We will also be supporting the regional roundtable discussions with local community members from September 29 – October 10 in Teays Valley, Parkersburg, Clarksburg, Martinsburg, Beckley and Wheeling. We expect to have a broad representation of supporters for these discussions – business owners, legislators, and manufacturers all aimed at providing positive earned media opportunities.

Amendment two will help move West Virginia to the front of the list for economic development, spurring new jobs and career opportunities, strengthening communities, and allowing West Virginians to keep more of their hard-earned money.

It is important to note that Amendment two costs taxpayers nothing but gives the legislature the authority to address critical tax policy at a time when schools and local governments can benefit from the fruits of responsible government. With over $1 BILLION in surplus revenues, Amendment two paves the way for tax relief with protections for local government budgets, education, and other funding.

I highly encourage each of you to visit makewvfirst.com to familiarize yourself with the benefits Amendment two can bring to our State. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.

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Washington Conference on Capitol Hill
A special thanks to Richard Stephens, NADA Director for West Virginia, and Jack Stewart, Dealer of Country Club Chrysler, for attending the Washington Conference last month in D.C.

Richard and Jack met with Senators Capito and Machin and Representatives Miller and Mooney to discuss NADA’s legislative priorities. Those priorities consist of the:

• “Supply Chain Disruptions Relief Act” which would allow businesses on LIFO an extended time to replace vehicle inventory as pandemic-related global disruptions and reduced auto production have made it nearly impossible to replenish new vehicle supply.
• Catalytic Converter Anti-Theft Legislation which would help to address the growing national problem of catalytic converter thefts.
• Urging changes to the FTC’s new UDAP Rule that would impose a wide range of unwarranted and ill-advised new duties and restrictions on motor vehicle dealers.

Each of these issues has bipartisan support and NADA is working diligently to protect the interests of new motor vehicle dealers. I will keep everyone updated as each of these legislative initiatives develop.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if I can be of any assistance. I am honored to serve you. Please stay in touch.