CHARLESTON, WV - The West Virginia Democratic Party is celebrating the implementation of the Back to School Tax Free Holiday, which will provide $3.4 million in tax relief to West Virginia families as they prepare for the upcoming school year. But while Governor Patrick Morrisey held a media event this week to take credit for the sales tax break, Democrats say the truth tells a different story.

This tax holiday exists because of the work of Delegate Sean Hornbuckle (D-Cabell), who authored the amendment that created the annual Tax Free Holiday. “Thank you, Governor Morrisey, for acknowledging not only my hard work in 2019 but also the work of my caucus on the Back to School Tax Free Holiday to give West Virginia families relief.”

Delegate John Williams (D-Monongalia) echoed that sentiment while taking issue with the Governor’s disingenuous self-congratulations. “The sales tax holiday is already in state code,” said Williams. “This sales tax free weekend would have occurred no matter what. Trying to act as if he strolled from the mansion to the Capitol and with a stroke of a pen put money in your pocket is wrong.”

West Virginia Democratic Party Chair Mike Pushkin added, “The Governor had to celebrate this good idea because he and his party don’t come up with any on their own. This tax holiday is the result of Democratic leadership in the legislature looking out for working families.”