S GOV SCR ORG3

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 84

(By Senators Snyder, Miller, Blair, Cann, Cookman, Fitzsimmons, Green, Jenkins, Kirkendoll, Stollings, Sypolt, Williams and Yost)

[Originating in the Committee on Government Organization]

Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study the implementation of a statewide advertising program to promote the tourism industry in West Virginia.

    Whereas, Travel spending by all overnight and day visitors in West Virginia was $5.1 billion in the 2012 calendar year, the equivalent to approximately $13.9 million per day; and

    Whereas, Travel spending in West Virginia has increased by 6.3 percent per year since 2000; and

    Whereas, During 2012, visitor spending in West Virginia directly supported approximately forty-six thousand four hundred jobs with earnings of approximately $1.1 billion; and

    Whereas, Local and state government revenues generated by travel spending were $707 million in 2012, not including property taxes; and

    Whereas, Without these government revenues generated by travel spending, each household in West Virginia would have had to pay an additional $924 in state and local taxes to maintain current service levels; and

    Whereas, State spending on tourism advertising has, and continues to, decrease; and

    Whereas, Due to the recent chemical spill event, West Virginia’s image may have been severely tarnished on a national level; and

    Whereas, Other states, such as Michigan, have undertaken a systematic, well-funded advertising program to promote tourism in their states and to improve their images, both nationally and internally; and

    Whereas, Because the continuing growth of West Virginia’s tourism economy is of major importance to all our citizens, it is in the best interest of the State of West Virginia to implement an advertising program to promote the tourism industry in West Virginia and to improve the state’s image; therefore, be it

    Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

    That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to study the implementation of a statewide advertising program to promote the tourism industry in West Virginia; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2015, on its findings, conclusions and recommendations, together with drafts of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this study, to prepare a report and to draft necessary legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.