Groaning with anticipation

The WV legislature's regular session starts tomorrow and I can't say that I'm dancing with joy, although there seems to be a decent chance that a few good bills may pass. One that doesn't meet that criteria is a proposal to cut business property taxes by around $140 million per year, which would most likely mean a major hit for public education.

While business property taxes have frequently been described as "job killers" by the current majority, the evidence isn't convincing. In fact, a study of similar cuts in Ohio points the other way, with an estimated loss of over 19,000 jobs. That doesn't reflect any damage done to public sector investment or employment.

This is one of those zombie policy ideas that keeps shuffling around after repeatedly being killed in years past. We could do a lot more with that $140 million than pour it down another tax cut rat hole.