CHARLESTON, W.Va. ─ The West Virginia Business & Industry Council (BIC), representing West Virginia trade associations and businesses accounting for hundreds of thousands of employees across the state, announces its opposition to HB 2007, legislation which would provide state occupational licensure designations to potentially unqualified out-of-state workers.

“The West Virginia Business & Industry Council is opposed to HB 2007 because it places West Virginians at a huge disadvantage,” said Mike Clowser, Chairman of BIC.  “We are concerned the bill will result in a loss of jobs and opportunities for our business community and encourage the State Senate to defeat this legislation.”

BIC supports legislation to provide business liability protection from COVID-19 related lawsuits. 

• Businesses struggling to stay open or reopen in the midst of the pandemic potentially face coronavirus-related liability from a number of different sources, including their own employees and customers. This legislation should provide business liability protection from COVID-19-related lawsuits.

BIC supports efforts to amend the West Virginia constitution to address regressive tax policy, like the business inventory and machinery tax.

• If there is not legislation eliminating the business inventory tax, the Legislature should consider legislation to allow a referendum vote on changing the state constitution to deal with such issues.  

CHARLESTON, W.Va. ─ The West Virginia Business & Industry Council (BIC), representing numerous West Virginia trade associations and businesses accounting for hundreds of thousands of employees across the state, announces its full support for House Bill 2001, the West Virginia Jumpstart Savings Program.

“This important legislation will prepare the next generation to enter the workforce and equip them with the funding to obtain necessary certifications, training and tools,” said Mike Clowser, chairman of the West Virginia Business & Industry Council. “We commend State Treasurer Riley Moore for having the foresight to develop this program and we encourage the House of Delegates to pass the bill when it comes to the floor this week.”

CHARLESTON, W.Va. ─ The West Virginia Business & Industry Council (BIC) announced today that Mike Clowser has been elected Chairman of the organization.  He succeeds Chris Hamilton, Senior Vice President of the West Virginia Coal Association, who has served in the position since 2012.

“I’m honored to be chosen by my business trade association and government relations peers to serve as Chairman of the West Virginia Business & Industry Council,” said Clowser.  “This organization has a long and successful history of helping improve our state’s business climate. I look forward to working with our members and policy leaders to build on that success as we work to grow West Virginia’s economy.”

CHARLESTON, W.Va. ─ The West Virginia Business & Industry Council (BIC) announced today its endorsement of Jim Justice for a second term as governor of the State of West Virginia.

“Our members, the employers and workers throughout the state, have resoundingly endorsed Governor Justice for a second term,” said Chris Hamilton, Chairman of the West Virginia Business & Industry Council.  “Governor Justice is creating family-sustaining jobs, fixing our roads, improving our education system, and addressing our substance abuse problem. He is moving West Virginia forward, even as we battle an unprecedented health crisis.  Jim Justice is the leader we need in these tough times.”