The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

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November 9, 2006

Weeks says he feels ‘partially vindicated’ by tax reforms

Mannix Porterfield

CHARLESTON — Now that the Manchin administration is seeking tax reforms he has proposed the past four years, Sen. Russ Weeks says he feels “partially vindicated” the Legislature finally is moving in that direction.

Weeks teamed with Delegate Linda Sumner, both R-Raleigh, four years ago to push for passage of the so-called Fair Tax Act, born back in the Underwood administration by then-Tax and Revenue Secretary Rob Capehart.

While cleaning out his office hours before the start of a special session, the lame-duck senator acknowledged he isn’t likely to get credited for reforms he has introduced every year of his one Senate term.

Weeks lost in his re-election bid this week to Mike Green.

And while he supports the basic concept of Gov. Joe Manchin’s proposal, Weeks said it falls short of real reforms needed to provide relief to both businesses and individuals.

“I feel partially vindicated, but he’s not going all the way on the bill I’ve been sponsoring for four years,” the Beckley resident said.

“But it shows he realizes, No. 1, the tax system needs to be changed, and No. 2, that this is the way to do it. He’s just not going far enough.”

Moreover, Weeks said he is tempted to vote against suspending the rules to accelerate a Senate vote as a protest to rushing the mammoth tax measure through in a brief special session.

“That would be my way of showing that this is being done at the wrong time,” he said.

“Just wait six more weeks and let the newly elected legislators have a full crack at it. Now, I’m familiar with this. I probably know more about this tax bill than any other senator since I’ve been sponsoring it four years. He’s going too fast. There’s too much information for this group of people, a part-time Legislature, to absorb and make a comprehensive decision on it.

“I’m glad he’s doing it,” Weeks said of the proposed reforms. “I just think it’s the wrong time. We could have done it last year or in the coming (regular legislative) session.”

— E-mail: mannix@

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