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Only in government can you pass legislation that is clearly flawed, with some vague promise to fix it in the future. When it comes to natural gas valuations, mineral owners and county governments in our region had best be prepared for a continuation of the last two years, where the West Virginia Tax Division botched mineral rights values.
Leaders and mineral rights owners in our region should take little solace in Senate Finance Chairman Eric Tarr's promise to Sen. Charles Clements, R-Wetzel, that the formula being used would be fixed. This promise came as senators enshrined the new funding formula and sent it to Gov. Jim Justice for his signature.
"The Tax (Division) made some major errors this year, but these problems I think can be overcome," Clements said to Tarr. "What I would like to request for you to do as finance chair is to sit down around the table with assessors from counties, with royalty holders, with the Tax (Division), with the people from the industry, and all involved in between now and next year. Come up with a formula that will work."
Tarr agreed to that. Now let's see if he sticks to his promise.
The solution to this needs to come from Justice. He's refused over the past two years to even address the issue. His Tax Division appears to be unable to properly assess mineral rights and handle collections. Errors in the Tax Division this year led to eight counties -- including four in our region -- receiving $30 million less in tax collections. Depsite this mistake, there's been no accountability.
Governor, veto HB 4850 and have lawmakers fix it -- now.