HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 45
(By Delegates L. Smith and Hall)

Requesting the joint committee on government and finance to undertake a study of Government Waste and Government Agencies for the purpose of identifying spending areas in the budget which can be changed, reduced or eliminated in order to reduce the overall cost of government.

Whereas, Government spending continues to increase each year, and has escalated by more than one billion dollars during the last ten years, causing taxpayers to demand greater accountability for the tax dollars they provide; and
Whereas, Legislative leaders are projecting the possibility of tax increases, beginning in 2001, if structural changes are not made to offset ever-rising costs that will soon outpace expected revenues; and
Whereas, West Virginia tax rates were cited as the second-highest, regionally, and the eighth highest, nationally, according to a Marshall University Business School analysis; and
Whereas, Reducing government waste can free up revenues that can be used to address other state financial challenges, namely the problems afflicting PEIA, the children's health insurance program, public employee salary increases and other spending necessities; and
Whereas, The overwhelming majority of West Virginians favor an elimination of the food tax, the personal property tax on automobiles; and other nuisance taxes that cause them to spend thirty-five cents out of every dollar they earn on taxes; and
Whereas, Our leaders in Washington and in other state governments have adopted innovative ways of reducing government waste that West Virginia might be well-served to learn more about and to emulate; 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 ways West Virginia government can reduce government waste, with the dual objectives of providing more accountability to the taxpayers and reducing the tax burden on our citizens; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the joint committee on government and finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2000, 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, together with resources which may be gleaned, if any, from the National Association of State Legislatures and the National Governor's Association to obtain materials from other states pertaining to these issues.