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WHEELING - It's difficult to cut taxes in the state of West Virginia, according to Larry Pack, secretary of the West Virginia Department of Revenue.
Currently the Republican nominee for state treasurer, Pack and Kris Warner, the GOP nominee for secretary of state, served as co-keynote speakers at the Ohio County Republican Party's Lincoln Day Dinner Thursday night at the Wheeling Country Club.
"It is so hard to pass a tax cut," Pack told those attending. "There are so many people with their hands out in state government. There are so many people into growing and growing government. But after 10 months of our campaign, and a lot of arguing and fuss, we made it to the finish line. We were able to pass with the Legislature's help a tax cut of over $1 billion.
"It taught me a lot about government in Charleston. Number one, they like to take people's money, (and) they like to spend people's money. They like to tell people how to live, how to run their businesses and their lives. It's very difficult once Charleston takes that hold to get it away from them."
A big part of what those coming to Charleston should do is figure out "what's important to the people you went to high school with," he continued.
"You have to look at what's important to the people you rub shoulders with at Walmart and the convenient stores - but not the swamp," Pack said. "The swamp is always going to find a way to take your money. It is always going to find a need."
He told those present that prior to working for the Justice Administration, he was a certified public accountant for 20 years before starting his own businesses.
"Some worked, some didn't - that's how you learn," Pack said.
Warner, a former chairman of the State Republican Party, is the brother of current West Virginia Secretary of State Mac Warner.
He explained to the crowd the secretary of state has two jobs - being the chief elections officer and registering all new businesses in the state.
Warner noted he has past experience as state director for the United States Department of Agriculture's Rural Development office in West Virginia under former President Donald Trump, and now as a member of the West Virginia Economic Authority under Gov. Jim Justice. He said this gives him a "unique perspective in how to advance the state's interest as your next secretary of state."
"I don't believe there's an economic development project in the state during the past seven years that I haven't had a hand in," Warner continued.
Also speaking at the dinner were Beth Bloch, Republican National Committeewoman for West Virginia; Delegate Jimmy Willis, R-Brooke, candidate for re-election in District 3; Bill Flanigan, House of Delegates District 4 candidate; and Tom Salkovich, delegate candidate in District 5.