OMEGA - West Virginia Oil Marketers & Grocers Association

Local grocers welcome an additional 1 percent decrease in the state's sales tax on food

Thursday, 06/19/2008
The tax dip from 4 percent to 3 percent goes into effect July 1. State officials estimate the 1 percent decrease equates to about $25 million in annual savings to consumers. "I would say it's a good things in today's world," said Gary Traugh, owner of several area Kompak stores. Traugh points out the estimated $25 million in savings may be a big number, but to consumers seeing a decline of 1 percent on some food purchases it's a small amount.
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OMEGA 2008 Position Statements

Sunday, 03/23/2008

Bottle Bill – We oppose this legislation. Forced deposits do little to help the environment and essentially impose a hidden, regressive tax on consumers. Forced deposits are costly to operate and administer and introduce a significant health and safety risk. OMEGA believes that comprehensive recycling programs are better investments and comprehensive litter control outperforms forced deposits.

Civil Justice Reform – West Virginia’s business community should continue to seek passage of additional civil justice reforms including comparative fault, collateral source, limiting punitive and non-economic damages, and establishing a uniform standard for non-economic awards.

Session Summary 2008

Sunday, 03/23/2008
The 60-day regular session of 2008 Legislature concluded at midnight on March 8. Lawmakers are still working to complete work on the state’s FY08-09 budget. In the budget will be $4 million for the UST Insurance Fund for the next fiscal year. We expect to get $4 million for the next two years. There will be a special session to take up a teacher pension bill that did not make it through both houses. There could also be special items on the ‘Governor’s Call’ as well.
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