Governors Outline Their Budget Priorities in "State of the State" Addresses

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OMEGA is a West Virginia-based organization dedicated to supporting and advancing the business interests of the state’s petroleum marketing, retail grocery, and convenience store industries.

As a network of over 225 locally owned businesses, OMEGA actively promotes cooperation, advocates for favorable legislation, and provides education and resources to its members. With over 50,000 employees, OMEGA members significantly contribute to the state’s economy, generating more than 10% of all state taxes and supporting local communities through scholarships, charitable donations, and civic involvement.

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OMEGA offers three types of membership: Convenience Store Members, Petroleum Marketer Members, and Grocer Members, all of which play a vital role in providing fuel, food, and essentials across West Virginia. As a liaison with state and national agencies, OMEGA works closely with organizations like NACS, PMAA, FMI, and the N.G.A. to advocate on behalf of its members.

We keep members informed through newsletters, legislative updates, an online resource hub, and educational seminars. Additional member benefits include access to the Encova Workers’ Compensation Discount Program and participation in our annual Trade Expo and fundraising efforts for children’s charities. OMEGA is here to support, advocate, and enhance the success of our industry members.

With President Donald J. Trump’s recent address to a Joint Session of Congress, there is no better time to highlight the similar speeches occurring across the states. With the exceptions of Louisiana and Ohio, whose governors will address their constituents later in the year, 48 governors have laid out their budget plans either through a “State of the State” speech or simply a “Budget” address. These speeches offer a glimpse into the Governors’ priorities for the legislative session.

By: Elizabeth Tansing, Director of State Government Relations, Food Marketing Institute <img src="http://www.fmi.org/images/default-source/blog-images/map-of-usa.tmb-large-350-.jpg?sfvrsn=1" data-displaymode="Thumbnail" alt="Map of USA" title="Map of USA" style="float: right; margin: 10px;" /> With President Donald J. Trump’s recent <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2017/02/28/remarks-president-trump-joint-address-congress">address</a> to a Joint Session of Congress, there is no better time to highlight the similar speeches occurring across the states. With the exceptions of Louisiana and Ohio, whose governors will address their constituents later in the year, 48 governors have laid out their budget plans either through a “State of the State” speech or simply a “Budget” address. These speeches offer a glimpse into the Governors’ priorities for the legislative session. With 33 Republican governors, themes tend to trend right with slashing income taxes, property taxes and eliminating red tape for businesses, but most states are looking to improve their infrastructure, increase job growth, bump up funding for K-12 education, reform pensions, address opioid addiction, attract tourists and fill budget gaps. Not every governor specifically stated how they were going to pay for tax reform or new or increased funding, but those that did suggested broadening the tax base to eliminate unnecessary loopholes; a DMV license increase, an expansion of the tobacco tax, a motor fuels tax hike and a rise in road tolls – the latter two justified as being able to snare out-of-staters, just passing through.   Trends typically flow throughout regions of the country, and it is always interesting to see how everything shakes out. FMI has compiled the key highlights from every “State of the State” address delivered so far in 2017 into one document. <a href="http://www.fmi.org/docs/default-source/state-affairs/2017-governor-39-s-state-of-the-state-addresses.pdf?sfvrsn=2">View the 2017 Governors’ State of the State Addresses</a>.

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Supporting West Virginia Communities

OMEGA members play a vital role in West Virginia, supporting communities through substantial tax contributions and a wide-reaching presence across the state. With over 55% of the population living in border counties, our members are dedicated to serving both local and regional needs. Beyond business, we’re proud to give back, having contributed over $3.1 million to children’s charities since 2003, reflecting our commitment to making a positive difference.