State Treasurer urges local control, backs county referendum for 1% sales tax
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Summary
West Virginia State Treasurer Larry Pack told leaders at a Potomac Highlands meeting in Hardy County he supports letting counties place a 1% sales tax before voters to raise local revenue for services such as EMS, and urged reducing state regulatory burdens that he said hinder local economic growth.
West Virginia State Treasurer Larry Pack told regional leaders at the Potomac Highlands Regional Leadership Meeting in Hardy County on June 17 that he supports giving counties the ability to ask voters to approve a 1% sales-tax option to raise local revenue for services including emergency medical services.
The proposal — described at the meeting as the County Commissioners Association’s “public safety bill” — would allow counties to place a one-percent sales-tax measure on the ballot rather than impose it administratively, Pack said. "I'm fine with the county's doing that as long as it goes before the people," Pack said.
Why it matters: rural counties in the Potomac Highlands face thin tax bases and rising costs for basic services. Pack framed the measure as a home-rule tool that would let counties invest locally in roads, water and sewer, tourism and public safety without repeatedly seeking state assistance.
Pack said state government too often imposes one-size-fits-all rules that do not fit West Virginia’s widely varying communities. "One size does not fit all," he said. "We can't run Hardy County like we run Monroe County. Local people do have answers to problems, and they have to be engaged in the process." He urged the legislature to give more authority to local officials so decisions could be made closer to residents.
Pack also addressed several economic-development topics raised by commissioners. He said the state should make it easier for small businesses to start and compete, and criticized what he called excessive regulatory complexity for slowing projects and increasing costs. He singled out certificate-of-need rules and other franchise-style restrictions as examples that disadvantage small operators and favor large firms.
On large projects, Pack said counties should retain local decision-making authority and receive local tax revenue when appropriate. "If it is gonna come to the counties . . . they should get taxed for everything," he said, citing data centers and other major facilities. He pointed to industrial investments made during recent years — naming Century Metals, Form Energy, Nucor and TimeNet — as examples of projects that transformed local economies.
Transmission lines and ratepayers: attendees asked about planned transmission lines routed through the region. Pack said concerns about property loss and local impacts were legitimate and urged local scrutiny of any project that would cross private land. He also pressed the state Public Service Commission to keep ratepayers foremost in mind when reviewing projects that could affect utility bills: "When someone wants to come in and put more power lines, how does it help the ratepayers in West Virginia?" he asked.
Pack offered to help counties navigate state systems and urged officials to press the legislature for clearer, faster processes. He described inefficiencies he said he has seen in Charleston and encouraged county leaders to stand before the legislature and explain their needs directly.
The treasurer took questions after his remarks and remained available to meet with local officials.
Ending: Pack closed by urging regional officials to define clear local priorities so businesses know what is and is not acceptable in each county, and to press for the revenue and authority needed to carry out local plans.