Nov 1, 2022
BIG MONEY — Reports to the Federal Communications Commission show some of the top spenders in advertising concerning Amendment 2 and Amendment 4, two of four state constitutional amendments set to appear on West Virginia’s Nov. 8 ballot. — Graphic by Steven Allen Adams
CHARLESTON — One of the nation’s largest unions representing teachers has spent nearly $1 million on TV ads to oppose two constitutional amendments on the ballot in West Virginia with a week until Election Day.
The National Education Association dropped more than $860,000 since the final week of September on ads on nearly all of the major market TV stations in West Virginia according to a review of political files provided by TV stations to the Federal Communications Commission.
The NEA ad opposes Amendment 2, which would allow the West Virginia Legislature to exempt six categories of tangible personal property taxes – including taxes on machinery and equipment, inventory, and motor vehicles – if voters approve the amendment. County and city governments rely on tangible personal property tax revenue, as do county school systems.
Amendment 4 would give the Legislature the authority to approve, amend, or reject rules and policies developed by the Department of Education and approved by the state Board of Education. The state Board of Education is the only state agency that doesn’t have to submit its rules to the Legislature for approval.
Both amendments are opposed by the state’s two teachers’ unions: NEA-affiliate West Virginia Education Association, and the West Virginia chapter of the American Federation of Teachers, along with the West Virginia School Service Personnel Association.
The unions oppose Amendment 2 over concerns about how lawmakers would replace the lost tax revenue, though the state Constitution requires the Legislature to make up shortfalls in local tax revenue to county school systems. Their opposition to both amendments 2 and 4 concerns the removal of control – the taking of local control from counties over tax revenue, and concerns about the politicization of education policymaking.
“Decisions about local communities should be made by our local communities,” said several people in the NEA commercial representing law enforcement, first responders, teachers, and seniors. “Amendments 2 and 4 will take decisions away from the people we trust and give them to partisan politicians to push their own agenda.”
Most of the focus of groups spending money on TV ads is on Amendment 2, which has pitted Republican lawmakers – most of whom support eliminating tangible personal property taxes – and Gov. Jim Justice – who switched from supporting the removal to opposing Amendment 2 — against each other.
A group with connections to the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce and the West Virginia Manufacturers Association came in distant second to the NEA’s TV ad buy. “Make West Virginia First” dropped more than $224,000 on pro-Amendment 2 TV ads focused on the Charleston and Beckley media markets.
“It’s time to cut taxes in West Virginia,” the video’s participants said. “Without Amendment 2, the car tax is here to stay. A yes vote means we can end the car tax in West Virginia.”
Another group, the West Virginia Job Creators Alliance, has spent $19,890 on pro-Amendment 2 TV ads. Chris Miller, a Republican candidate for governor, an officer of the Dutch Miller automotive group, and son of U.S. Rep. Carol Miller, R-W.Va., is president of the group.
A group connected to Justice spent the third largest amount on anti-Amendment 2 TV ads. “Save Your County from Charleston” spent $134,365 on TV ads across the state. The organization’s president is Byrd White, a long-time Justice friend and former cabinet secretary of the state Department of Transportation.
White is a former senior vice president for James C. Justice Companies. He was the manager for the Black Knight Country Club in Beckley, formerly owned by Justice. White was also a former Raleigh County Commission member. Justice has been barnstorming the state to encourage voters to oppose Amendment 2. He’ll be at the Raleigh County Commission today as part of his anti-Amendment 2 road show.
The West Virginia Association of Counties is primarily putting up TV ads in North Central West Virginia opposing Amendment 2. The organization spent $116,238 on TV ads.
Early voting in West Virginia continues through Saturday. Election Day is Nov. 8.
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