Gov. Jim Justice, still getting better from a recent bout with COVID-19 that impacted his entire family, was full throttle during his administration update this morning.

 

“I’m in good shape. I’m ready to go,” said Justice.

 

Justice being ready to go meant long talk about his hope to see a 50 percent reduction in the state’s income tax to benefit residents. Legislation to make that happen is already in the West Virginia Legislature.

 

“We have the ability to give all the people across this entire state a 50 percent reduction in your state income taxes. It is unbelievable what it could do for people of West Virginia,” said Justice, who said he’s going to go back on the road to get statewide support.

 

He said only the Senate needs to pass the legislation. It passed overwhelming in the House of Delegates by a 95-2 vote. Justice said he does not plan to throw rocks while talking about the plan and getting the Senate’s support.

 

“This is the way to go,” said Justice, who said when he arrived as governor the state was “DOA” and “bankrupt.” He said he is hopeful the Senate will move on it and said he understands their caution in reviewing all the numbers.

 

Justice said $700 million will be put aside to handle any future issues. Those issues, he said, might cause a shortfall in revenue and the money, which he said is roughly the same size as the state’s rainy-day fund, would cover a potential shortfall.

 

“This plan doesn’t have squirrel tails and mudflaps with it,” said Justice.

 

Justice added that the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources will see a salary increase of 20 percent for all child protective, adult protective, and youth service personnel. Retention bonuses will also be added to those meeting anniversary dates of employment, while competitive wages for border counties have also been implemented.

 

Justice also addressed the Legislature’s move to potentially divide the WVDHHR, which also occurred at the last session. The governor pointed to the McChyrstal Study paid for by the state to address WVDHHR woes indicated that is not a good move, said Justice.

 

“The primary movement on the Senate or House side is to make things better,” said Justice, who said it’s possible the move may be to get back at him for issues he did not disclose. “I’m going to try and stay open minded.”

 

Justice also sang the praises of the state’s tourism industry. On Monday, representatives from the tourism industry gathered at State Capitol Complex in Charleston for Tourism Day at the Legislature.

 

“Lots of people celebrating a lot of good stuff going on in West Virginia,” said Justice, who praised state Tourism Secretary Chelsea Ruby as the visitors spent over $5 billion last year in West Virginia. “… Tourism has taken off in this state like crazy.”

 

Two new Web sites were also announced by the governor. One focuses on grant opportunities (grants.wv.gov), while the other is an infrastructure hub (infrastructure.wv.gov) regarding projects, how to acquire moneys, and more.