HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 44
(By Delegates Spencer, Anderson, Azinger, Barker, Beach, Blair,
Boggs, Brown, Butcher, Campbell, Cann, Canterbury, Caputo, Craig,
Crosier, Duke, Eldridge, Ellem, Evans, Fleischauer, Fragale,
Guthrie, Hall, Hamilton, Hartman, Hatfield, Hunt, Iaquinta,
Ireland, Kominar, Lane, Lawrence, Longstreth, Louisos, Mahan,
Manchin, Manypenny, Marshall, Martin, McGeehan, Miley, C. Miller,
J. Miller, Moore, Morgan, Moye, Overington, Paxton, Perdue,
Phillips, D. Poling, M. Poling, Poore, Porter, Reynolds,
Rodighiero, Romine, Ross, Rowan, Schadler, Shott, Skaff, Sobonya,
Stephens, Stowers, Sumner, Susman, Varner, D. Walker, T. Walker,
Walters, Wells, White, Williams and Wooton)
Requesting that the Joint Committee on Government and Finance
authorize a study of rising taxes on real property when real
estate prices have fallen.
Whereas, The country and the state have been in a recession for
the past several years; and
Whereas, One of the primary causes of the recession is the
collapse of the real estate market; and
Whereas, Property values nation-wide have fallen precipitously
during the past two years; and
Whereas, The fall in property values has had an exponential affect on the economy as a whole; and
Whereas, Home owners have found themselves owing more money on
their homes than what their homes are worth in the open market; and
Whereas, Home owners who remain in their homes continue to pay
more in their mortgage payments than what the fair market rental
value is; and
Whereas, The state's economy being in worse condition than the
rest of the nation has caused many of our citizens to leave the
state, thus causing home prices to fall even more; and
Whereas, Despite the housing market in a collapse nationwide
and property values have dramatically decreased in West Virginia,
real estate property taxes keep increasing; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby
requested to authorize a study on how to relieve the financial
burdens of homeowners as property taxes keep rising despite falling
property values; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and
Finance report to the Regular Session of the Legislature, 2011, on
its findings, conclusions and recommendations, together with drafts
of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations;
and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Legislative 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.