We must act NOW to save “Brains for Business”

This is the most important e-mail you will receive this year regarding keeping our young talented professionals in West Virginia.

On Friday, the Charleston Regional Chamber of Commerce backed Brains for Business bill (HB 4475) was defeated in the Senate Economic Development Committee.

This legislation would provide modest tax credits to state residents for the two years after receiving an associate, bachelor’s or advanced degree from an accredited institution in certain areas of study, including science, technology, math, engineering, education and nursing.

For the past three years, “Brains for Business” has received strong support in the state Senate, which makes the recent news of its defeat all the more unsettling.

We need your help to encourage these senators to take action and reconsider their vote against “Brains for Business.” If one of these senators changes their mind, then the legislation could be reconsidered at the next Senate Economic Development Committee on Tuesday, March 6.

Please sign and send this letter below and let these senators know that you want “Brains for Business” saved.

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Dear Senator (Insert Name Here):

It is my understanding you opposed the passage of legislation, commonly known as the Brains for Business bill (HB 4475), in the Senate Economic Development Committee on March 2, 2012.

Please take action to bring this bill up for reconsideration as soon as possible in the Senate Economic Development Committee.

Senator, this bill is aimed at attracting and retaining young professionals; but it doesn’t stop there!  The modest tax credit within the bill will:

• ease the burden of the  overwhelming student loan debt plaguing our young professionals as they enter the workforce
• provide leverage for higher education institutions to recruit new students
• give an edge to our border county businesses competing for workforce just across the state line
• provide inspiration for the some 175,000 people in WV who have “some higher education,” but have not yet completed their degree
• secure the state’s return on investment by providing Promise Scholarship recipients with an incentive to stay in WV
• enhance WV businesses ability to recruit new workforce talent

If the fiscal note is the sticking point, then let’s explore lowering the credit to $1,200 or even $1,000 per year?  Senator, we need your leadership NOW!

The Senate passed this bill each of the last three years. While we want our legislature to practice fiscal prudence, the legislature is also responsible for investing in our future.

Together, let’s tackle the challenge of attracting and keeping our intellectual capital. Let’s build a better WV now. Help us pass this legislation by calling for reconsideration at the next Economic Development Committee.

Sincerely,

(Your Name Here)

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Copy and paste this into an e-mail or sign it and fax it to the following senators:

Senator Herb Snyder
Capitol Phone: (304) 357-7957
FAX: 304-357-4496
E-mail: herb.snyder@wvsenate.gov

Senator Dave Sypolt
Capitol Phone: (304) 357-7914
Capitol FAX: 304-357-4489
E-mail: davesypolt@wvsenate.com

Please help us invest in the future. Let these individuals know that West Virginia needs “Brains for Business” passed in the state Senate.

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admin, March 2nd 2012 | Posted in Action Alerts, Announcements, Legislation, Proposals & Stances

Brains for Business achieves another milestone at the Legislature

Attracting and retaining the next generation of leaders in West Virginia is critical to the state’s future.

In 2008, the Charleston Regional Chamber of Commerce proposed innovative legislation that created a new an economic incentive to help keep young people here in West Virginia.

This legislation, known as “Brains for Business,” would provide tax credits to state residents for the two years after receiving an associate, bachelor’s or advanced degree from an accredited institution in certain areas of study, including science, technology, math, engineering, education and nursing.

For the past three years, “Brains for Business” has received strong support in the West Virginia Senate, but has met challenges in the House of Delegates. On Tuesday, the bill was approved on the House floor. It’s now headed to the Senate for full passage. This is a milestone for our partners who have worked hard on this initiative, but most of all, it is vital for the future of our state.

Economic success in today’s global market is driven in large part by the talent and skills of the workforce. Creating an environment where businesses know that the talent they need to thrive has incentives to remain is important for West Virginia’s continued success.

This legislation, if passed by the Senate and signed by Governor Earl Ray Tomblin, will ease the burden of graduates in those first two difficult years after graduation, when many of our youth are being saddled with high levels of student loan debt.

The House sent a message this week, with the passage of this bill, that employers can continue to find talent in West Virginia. Our state is working hard to keep and attract our most talented individuals. We’re proud to have inspired this legislation and we’re hopeful for a positive conclusion.

The Charleston Regional Chamber of Commerce thanks the sponsors and supporters of this legislation in the House of Delegates. Later this week, we will have another blog post that will provide the contact information for the senators. We hope you will speak out and ensure the state Senate passes this legislation.

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admin, March 1st 2012 | Posted in Action Alerts, Announcements, Legislation, Proposals & Stances

Charleston Chamber wants your support for alternative fuel tax credits

The Charleston Regional Chamber of Commerce is asking members of the public to voice their support to West Virginia legislators and get Senate Bill 624 passed.

The legislation would authorize the sale and transfer of tax credits allowed for the purchase or conversion of alternative fuel vehicles and the construction of alternative fuel vehicle refueling stations.

The bill would allow the tax credit in existing law to be transferable, even for governmental entities. If this legislation passes, it could lead to tremendous savings for West Virginia taxpayers and our state government.

By making the tax credits transferable for governmental bodies, the state of West Virginia could save more than $5 million a year in fuel costs. That’s if the state utilized the tax credit to convert to a natural gas fleet. Under a federal program that expired in September 2011, governmental entities were allowed a 50 cents per gallon excise tax credit for alternative fuels even though governmental entities did not have to pay federal excise fuel tax.

Prior to the expiration of the credits, governmental entities were able to use it to help pay for the cost of conversion. Allowing the transferability of the state alternative fuel vehicle tax credit would help replace this lost assistance.

With the recent Marcellus and Utica Shale gas discoveries, natural gas has become important commodity in West Virginia. As a result, many in the state believe natural gas could be utilized as a cleaner, alternative fuel.

Natural gas conversion has been the focus of Kanawha Converts, a consortium of local governmental and business leaders, economic development, energy, and education agencies. The consortium was created through seed funding by the Kanawha County Commission for compressed natural gas (CNG) as a vehicular fuel for its fleet vehicles.

The Chamber believes this bill is essential to achieving that goal. If you agree, please contact the Senate Finance Committee at (304) 357-7961 and each member of the Senate Finance Committee and encourage them to pass Senate Bill 624.

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admin, February 24th 2012 | Posted in Announcements, Legislation, Proposals & Stances

Call to Action: Funding for Transportation, Arts, Landscapes and Historic Preservation Threatened

Federal funding that supported some of the most beautiful aspects of this region is under threat. Now it’s up to the you to ensure this drastic funding cut is not implemented.

The U.S Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in the U.S House of Representatives will be meeting tomorrow, Thursday, Feb. 2. During that meeting, the transportation enhancement funding could be eliminated. The funding has been a vital economic development tool for this region. About 10 percent of funding states receive for federal transportation projects must be set aside for enhancement activities such as trails, biking and pedestrian projects, the arts and historic preservation.

These funds have supported many key development projects such as trails, Capitol Market, St. Albans Streetscape, Kanawha Boulevard Riverfront Development, Washington Street Streetscape, Mary Price Ratrie Greenspace and the Point Pleasant Riverfront Murals.

Rep. Tom Petri of Wisconsin plans to introduce an amendment to ensure the funding does not get cut. Please urge the West Virginia representatives on the committee, Rep. Nick Rahall and Rep. Shelley Moore Capito, to support Petri’s amendment.

Local communities need the opportunity to improve their transportation infrastructure. All of us recognize the need for a local investment in safer streets and healthier communities.

If you’d like to support the effort, please contact Aaron Pritchard in  Rep. Rahall’s office at 202-225-3452 and Andrew Stasioski in Rep. Capito’s office at 202-225-2711 today.

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admin, February 1st 2012 | Posted in Announcements, Proposals & Stances

Charleston Chamber agenda moving forward at Legislature

The West Virginia Legislature is moving forward with Charleston Regional Chamber of Commerce approved bills, including one to provide economic incentives to businesses that locate a facility (commonly known as a “cracker”) to convert natural gas into ethylene.

Last week, SB 206, (HB 4086) which provides property tax relief to companies that invest at least $2 billion towards a cracker was signed by Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin. It becomes effective on July 1.

The bill provides for a 25-year tax break to crackers, and would level the playing field for West Virginia in its quest to recruit a facility.

Construction of a cracker would require an estimated $2-$3 billion in capital investment and generate upwards of 2,000 construction jobs, and several hundred permanent high value jobs at the facility. It would help revitalize the state’s chemical industry and spark significant “downstream” production resulting from the ready access to ethylene.

The Charleston Chamber strongly supports measures to ensure West Virginia is competitive with others, including Ohio and Pennsylvania, that are vying to bring a cracker to their states.   In other action, support is gaining for the Twenty First Century Business Technologies Property Valuation Act (HB 3040). The Chamber backed legislation focuses on policies to encourage investment in businesses that create high-value jobs, diversify the state’s economy and promote sustainable growth.

Currently, the bill is in the House Energy, Industry and Labor, Economic Development and Small Business Committee. After that, it’s slated to be introduced to the Finance Committee.

The Chamber continues to push for legislation to attract and retain young people and encourage higher education completion rates in West Virginia. For the third year, the Charleston Chamber is championing a “Brains for Business” bill that would provide tax credits to West Virginia residents for the first two years after they receive an associate, bachelor’s or advanced degree from an accredited institution.

The bill received strong support in the West Virginia Senate during the 2010 and 2011 legislative sessions. Earlier this month, the Kanawha County Commission threw its support behind the bill with an official resolution.

The Charleston Chamber will continue to work with our legislative leaders on policies that will support job creation and build stronger communities in coming weeks, and keep members informed of critical issues that will impact our future.

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admin, February 1st 2012 | Posted in In the News, Legislation, Proposals & Stances

Is Washington Holding Back Your Business? Capito Wants To Hear From You

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jamie Corley
(202) 225-2711 or (202) 450-9695
Jamie.corley@mail.house.gov
October 27, 2011

Is Washington Holding Back Your Business?  Capito Wants To Hear From You


(Click on the picture above to view the video on YouTube)

WASHINGTON—Today, Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., released a new video inviting local businesses to share with Members of Congress how government regulations are holding them back through American Job Creators. The initiative is part of an ongoing effort by Republicans to encourage our nation’s job creators to share their stories about how government impacts job creation.

“Right now families and businesses are hurting.  14 million of our neighbors can’t find jobs.  My top priority is putting West Virginia – and America – back to work.  We need to stop out-of-touch bureaucrats from holding back our job creators,” stated Capito.  “To get it right, I need your help. I hope West Virginians will take this opportunity to tell Washington how government rules, regulations, and red tape impact job creation.”

Small business owners, entrepreneurs and innovators can visit American Job Creators to tell Washington how red tape and regulations are helping or hurting their business.

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admin, October 28th 2011 | Posted in Announcements, Proposals & Stances

Chamber Initiatives Need Support to Move Forward

Two of the Charleston Regional Chamber of Commerce’s key 2011 legislative proposals need your support.

West Virginia Economic Development Act of 2011/
Innovation Free Trade Zone

The first Charleston Chamber priority, (Creating Twenty-First Century Business Technologies Property Valuation Act and Tax Credit Act), passed the Senate Economic Development Committee Feb. 15 and now goes to the Senate Finance Committee.

We encourage members to contact Senate Finance Committee members to communicate your support for this bill, which will lead to new job creation in the state.

“SB 449 would, in effect, create an ‘innovation free trade zone by providing tax incentives for businesses that create jobs in new sectors of our economy,’” explained Mike Basile, chairman of the Charleston Chamber. “Developing policies that encourage investment in 21st century business technologies will be key to creating a West Virginia economy that is more diverse, conducive to innovation and positioned for sustained growth,” he said.

Twenty-first century business technologies include cloud (Internet-based) computing;  energy conservation; alternative and renewable fuels; and clean coal systems and technologies.

Sponsors of SB 449 are: Senators McCabe, Browning, Prezioso, Snyder, Klempa, Unger, Foster, Jenkins, Stollings, Plymale, Miller, Kessler (Acting President) and Wells. 

To see the Charleston Chamber policy paper, click here.

To see the bill, click here.

SB449 is now before the Senate Finance Committee.  Charleston Chamber members are urged to contact Committee Chair Roman Prezioso to let him know how critical this measure is to the future of our state. 

Brains for Business

The second, HB 2920 (Brains for Business), creates tax credits for interest paid on student loans and tax incentives for West Virginians who receive a degree from an accredited institution of higher learning. 

The purpose of the bill is to promote higher education and attract and retain the next generation of business and community leaders and innovators.  “As we transition to a knowledge-based economy, growing our intellectual capital will be essential the future of our state,” said Charleston Chamber President/CEO Matt Ballard.

BrainsBizHouse sponsors of the bill are Delegates Skaff, T, Campbell, Miley, Caputo, L. Phillips, Lawrence, Pasdon, Nelson, Stowers, Hall and Ferns.

HB 2920 has been referred to the House Education Committee then to House Finance.

Charleston Chamber members are encouraged to contact House Education Committee Chair Mary Poling to voice their support and urge the Committee to send it on to the full House.

To see the Charleston Chamber position paper on Brains for Business, click here.

To see the full bill, click here.
 
Other bills that impact business

The Charleston Chamber is also tracking a number of bills that could significantly impact business and the state economy.

One bill of great interest is SB 307, which would create intermediate court of appeals.  West Virginia is one of only 10 states without an intermediate appellate court and the only state that does not provide an absolute and meaningful appeal of right of a final judgment from a trial court.  “Lack of automatic right of appeal diminishes confidence in our justice system among West Virginia citizens and those considering our state as a place to do business,” said Basile. 

We are very pleased that Senate Bill 307, the intermediate appellate court bill, has very broad support with nearly 22 of the 34 State Senators sponsoring the legislation.

Sponsors of SB 307 are: Kessler (Acting President), Hall, Unger, Jenkins, Plymale, Foster, Minard, Prezioso, McCabe, Stollings, Browning, Palumbo, Green, Beach, Boley, Nohe, K. Facemyer, Sypolt, Barnes, Wells and Klempa.

We expect Senate Bill 307 will be taken up for consideration by the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday. We urge you to let members of the Committee know that you support an intermediate appellate court.

Contact the Senate Judiciary Committee Members by clicking on their name:

Senator Palumbo - Chair
Senator Wills - Vice-Chair
Senator Beach
Senator Browning
Senator Fanning
Senator Foster
Senator Jenkins
Senator Klempa
Senator McCabe
Senator Minard
Senator Snyder
Senator Tucker
Senator Unger
Senator Williams
Senator Barnes
Senator Facemyer
Senator Nohe

Another bill of concern is SB310, which would dramatically expand eligibility for unemployment compensation to the following:  part time employees; workers who leave employment due to transfer or relocation of a spouse; those who leave to care for disabled or ill immediate family member; and employees who leave as a result of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking.  

The Charleston Chamber strongly opposes this measure, which would add financial burdens to our state’s unemployment compensation fund and businesses struggling in a fragile economy.  SB 310 is sponsored by Senators Kessler, Unger and Klempa.

Also of alarm to the business community is HB 2770, the Flexible Leave Act, which gives employees the ability at any time, and virtually without notice or proof, to use paid time off for a family member’s illness (spouse, child or parent).  The bill, as amended, applies to businesses with 50+ employees.  Serious business interruptions could result from unexpected employee absences, and the Charleston Chamber opposes this measure.

HB 2770 is sponsored by Delegates Caputo, Fragale, Hatfield, Martin and Moye. 

The Charleston Chamber will continue to monitor these and other bills of interest to the business community alert our members at critical times throughout the legislative session.

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admin, February 16th 2011 | Tags: , , ,
Posted in Action Alerts, Legislation, Proposals & Stances

A Show of Strength for Safety

Levy14More than 100 first responders, government representatives and business leaders today came together in a show of strength for safety as the Charleston Regional Chamber of Commerce officially announced its endorsement of the upcoming safety levy.

The levy, which is on the May 11 Kanawha County ballot, is a continuation of the existing levy and requires 60 percent approval to pass. Every vote counts. The levy raises $14.9 million annually for ambulance, bus, fire and police services.    Failure of the levy will result in dramatic cutbacks in vital services to our community.

We must not allow this protection plan to fail. If it does, we will see a loss in automatic response for vehicle accidents, reduced service in rural areas, a decrease in bus service and transportation for the disabled and a longer response time for 911 calls.

The levy is not a tax increase. Kanawha County households now pay about 14 cents a day to support 22 fire departments that respond first to emergencies, ambulances that respond to 90 percent of calls within eight minutes and transport more than 200 patients every day and busses that pick up thousands of passengers each day.

LevyThese are impressive statistics. They translate to the quickness and efficiency that often mean the difference between life and death.

The ambulance, police and fire forces are filled with men and women who make it their duty to protect our friends and families. They are there — for us — 365 days a year.

For just one day — May 11 — they’ll need our help. They’ll need our vote.

Please help us highlight the importance of the levy to our community by joining us at the campaign kick off on April 13.

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admin, April 13th 2010 | Tags: , ,
Posted in Proposals & Stances, safety levy

Home Rule, Brains for Business & Economic Development Act Progress at Capitol

CapitolHome rule laws championed by the Charleston Regional Chamber of Commerce are helping West Virginia cities like Charleston address local problems. The Charleston Chamber joined with the Huntington and Morgantown Chambers as early supporters of so-called “home rule” legislation that provides municipalities with authority to handle concerns such as enforcement of building and zoning codes.  

The Charleston Chamber now urges the West Virginia Senate to pass legislation to make permanent the provisions of a home rule pilot program created in 2007. The House of Delegates has already passed two bills supported by Governor Manchin that would help cities better regulate vacant buildings and burned-out structures.

As reported in today’s Charleston Gazette article, “Home rule a boon to city Planning Department,” these laws give cities the flexibility they need to solve local concerns. 

Click here to view House Bill 4034.
Click here to view House Bill 4038.

Click here to join the Economic Development Act Facebook page. 

Senate passes Charleston Chamber priorities

Two of the Charleston Chamber’s 2010 legislative key priorities, Brains for Business and the Economic Development Act of 2010, were passed by the Senate and moved on to the House of Delegates. Read more…

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admin, March 8th 2010 | Tags: , , ,
Posted in Announcements, Legislation, Proposals & Stances

Proposal Gives New College Graduates a Tax Break

The article below appears in today’s Charleston Daily Mail.

by Billy Wolfe
Daily Mail staff

CHARLESTON, W.Va.–Lawmakers are expected to consider a proposal to give recent college graduates a major tax break and additional financial incentives to keep them living and working in West Virginia.

Officials with the Charleston Area Chamber of Commerce proposed a plan to lawmakers Wednesday morning that would eliminate state taxes on $25,000 of income for recent college graduates and refund up to $500 in interest paid on their student loans.

McCabe

McCabe

Chamber President and CEO Matt Ballard said the state is facing a continued loss of its best and brightest to other, more competitive states.

“We know we are losing a lot of our young folks, and we said, ‘What can we do to keep them?’ ” he said.

One of the biggest financial worries faced by those entering the job market is the repayment of student loans. Ballard said the plan could make West Virginia a more attractive destination to college graduates, regardless of where they went to school.

He cited findings by the chamber that recent college graduates often decide where they want to live before they have landed a job. He said more tax incentives aimed at that age group might draw more people to the Mountain State.

“If you make $25,000 a year, you would pay no state taxes at all,” he said of the chamber’s plan.

Browning

Browning

The reduction would be available for two years following graduation from a qualified institution of higher education with a two-year, four-year or advanced degree. The reduction would begin on Jan. 1, 2011.

Also, state residents younger than 40 who live and work in West Virginia would be eligible for a $500-per-year tax credit on interest paid on student loans. Federal tax code already offers a reimbursement for student loan interest, but Ballard believes West Virginia would be the first state to have a similar program.

“I’m 90 percent sure that no other state is doing this right now,” he said.

State Sens. Brooks McCabe, D-Kanawha, and Richard Browning, D-Wyoming, have thrown their support behind the bill.

“I think it sends a strong message that we want to keep our young professionals,” McCabe said. “In those cases where someone has a choice of staying or moving out, I think these kinds of incentives will tilt the scales to West Virginia.

“Our future is in retaining our young leaders,” McCabe added.

He also praised the chamber and the group Generation Charleston for coming up with the proposal.

A first draft of the bill has not been finished, and there are no cost estimates.

Deputy Revenue Secretary Mark Muchow said he would not speculate on cost until the legislation is drafted. Read more…

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admin, January 14th 2010 | Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in In the News, Legislation, Proposals & Stances