SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 62
(By Senators McCabe, Jenkins, Unger and Foster)
Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study
various economic development, taxation and other policies
aimed at promoting wage adequacy.
Whereas, Adequate wages and benefits are vital to family,
individual and community well-being; and
Whereas, The U. S. Census Bureau reported in 2004 that median
household income in West Virginia is the lowest in the nation
($31,210) and more than $10,000 below the national median household
income ($43,318); and
Whereas, Nearly one in four children in West Virginia lives in
poverty; and
Whereas, Approximately half of all children attending primary
and secondary schools in West Virginia qualify for free or reduced
school lunches due to low family incomes; and
Whereas, A shortage of jobs paying adequate wages to support
families has contributed to a 28-percent decline in the population
of West Virginians under age 18 between 1980 and 2000; and
Whereas, In 2004, the West Virginia Legislature mandated the
calculation of a self-sufficiency standard to determine wage
adequacy for various families in all counties as a means to assist
individuals and promote public policy; and
Whereas, By 2003, 43 states, 41 cities and 5 counties were
applying job quality standards to companies that receive economic
development subsidies; and
Whereas, The job quality standards adopted by these
jurisdictions include wage, health care and full-time hour
requirements; and
Whereas, Research has found that job quality standards do not
harm business climates; and
Whereas, West Virginia families would benefit from researching
and applying best practices, legislation and policies to promote
sustainable family wages and benefits developed in other
jurisdictions; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby
requested to study various economic development, taxation and other
policies aimed at promoting wage adequacy; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and
Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2006, 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.
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