SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 25
(Originating in the Committee on Labor;
reported February 28, 1996.]
__________
Requesting the joint committee on government and finance to make a
study regarding increasing the number of West Virginia workers
hired to construct in-state public improvement projects.
Whereas, The average income of residents of the state of West
Virginia is significantly below the national average income of
residents of the United States of America; and that the rate of
unemployment in this state is significantly higher than the rate of
unemployment in other states in the United States of America; and
Whereas, That unemployment is a chronic and serious problem in
this state; that unemployment adversely impacts the health and
welfare of the populace, and the state's tax base and tax revenues;
and that all necessary and lawful measures must be employed to
guard against the menace to the state resulting from unemployment;
and that from time to time, in an effort to combat unemployment the
state and its political subdivisions contract for public
improvement projects as defined above and subsidize public
improvement construction projects through the issuance of economic
development bonds, tax incentives, tax credits and other taxpayer guaranteed or funded benefits to private persons, corporations,
partnerships and other entities; and
Whereas, The employment of persons from outside the local
labor market on public improvement construction projects contracted
for and subsidized by the taxpayers of the state of West Virginia
contributes significantly to the rate of unemployment and the low
per capita income among qualified persons in West Virginia.
Whereas, That residents of local labor markets should be
employed in the construction of all public improvement and private
construction projects which depend, in whole or in part, on
taxpayer funding, economic development bonds, or other incentives
for which West Virginia taxpayers are responsible either through
taxes or guarantees; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the joint committee on government and finance is hereby
requested to review, examine and study the laws relating to
increasing the number of West Virginia workers hired to construct
instate public improvement projects; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the joint committee on government and
finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 1997, on
its findings, conclusions and recommendations, together with drafts
of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations;
and, be it
Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this
study, to prepare a report and to draft necessary legislation be
paid from legislative appropriations to the joint committee on
government and finance.