West Virginia Legislature Passes Budget Bill with State Worker Pay Raises and Social Security Tax Phase-Out

West Virginia lawmakers passed a $4.996 billion budget bill, including pay raises for state workers and a phase-out of state taxes on Social Security. The budget bill reflects average 5% pay raises for state workers through general revenue funds, and the phase-out of Social Security taxes would be implemented gradually over the next few years. The bills now await the governor's signature, and there is talk of a special session in May to address any remaining budget items.