Low-energy prices continue to cause
problems for West Virginia
Kiss said the state is now more than
$42 million off in collections this fiscal year.
Deputy Revenue Secretary Mark Muchow
joined Kiss on a conference call with reporters. Muchow said severance tax
collections, which comes from coal and natural gas production, were off $7
million in January. Muchow predicted low energy prices would continue to impact
the current state budget.
Kiss said the state government hiring
freeze imposed by Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin months ago would stay in effect for the
foreseeable future. Kiss said Tomblin will also propose about $20 million in
supplemental funding bills to the legislature in the coming days to help
fill-in the gaps.
On another note, it appears state
taxpayers are more anxious this year to get their money back from the state.
Muchow reported $18.2 million was refunded to taxpayers in January. He said it
was $10 million for that month in 2014.
