The Republican Senators met with Governor Manchin Monday morning so that Manchin could try to kiss and make up. While there, Senator Harrison (R-Kanawha) – West Virginia’s very own champion of tax reduction – asked Manchin if was going to do what he promised and introduce legislation to gradually remove the food sales tax. Manchin said he would not as long as the Republicans plan to amend the bill to remove the food sales tax completely. Manchin said he did not want the fiasco of the September special session.

One has to wonder why the braggadocios Governor would suddenly change his position, but if you remember this is an election year, it all makes sense.

Manchin is worried that if he introduces the bill, the Republicans will amend it and force the Democrats to show West Virginians once and for all that they support taxing the most basic of necessities. Either the Democrats would have to stick to their values of less money for you and more money for their failing programs or do what the people want and vote for lower taxes.

Manchin knows if the Democrats voted against removing the tax completely they would face a bipartisan lynching party when they got home and jeopardize their reelection chances.

To avoid putting the Democrats in an untenable position, the solution is simple: Manchin is planning on breaking his word.

After the September special session, Manchin held a press conference where Democrats were exclusively invited and boasted, “I have said from day one that we have a responsible plan to eliminate this food tax and we will do it as we can afford it.” When Manchin used the words “afford it,” everyone thought he meant financially, but now we know he meant politically afford it.

In the press conference he unveiled his grand plan:

“We will put the parameters together as the Democratic Party, asking for the other side of the aisle to move with us in a responsible manner. That will be in three factors that we will do economically:

“The first factor is, if we have 3.25% growth in the economy, if we have a 10% reserve account that maintains our standing with the bond rating, and if we have paid every year on our pension debt, we will be able to reduce the food tax by at least 0.5%.

“If we have a 4% growth in the economy, we will be able to reduce the food tax by at least 1% per year.

“We are starting today with a 1% reduction and we will continue to reduce this food tax with a growth in this economy, being fiscally responsible.”

According to Manchin’s plan, the conditions for tax reduction are based solely on the economic well being of West Virginia.

Now we know the conditions for tax reduction are based solely on the political well being of the Democrats.

Remember all the pressure the people of West Virginia exerted on the Legislature to remove the food tax? Our office alone received over 70 calls, while Senator Oliverio (D-Monongalia), for instance, heard from 50 West Virginians each day demanding the Legislature do something.

After it was over Manchin scoffed, “let me just say that I couldn’t be more proud of a group of West Virginians, especially Democratic West Virginians than I am right now with all these people standing with me.

“To stand up with what was thrown at every member in here, and be able to come down here and say, listen, we are moving this state in a responsible manner, we are reducing the food tax, we have a plan that will eliminate the food tax in a responsible manner and not put the state in debt – I just can’t believe the courage and willpower it took for everyone to hold together the way they have. Because they said basically, ‘this state is not for sale. You cannot bully me. You cannot intimidate me. And you will not buy me.’”

Wait a moment, Governor. I thought the Democrats could not be bullied. Why not introduce your bill, have the Republicans amend your food sales tax plan and watch the “courageous” Democrats vote against lowering the cost of food?

The answer is simple: he knows after the Democrats place their vote for more taxes and after the West Virginians go to the polls, there would be less of his buddies crowded around him to brag on during the press conferences.

The working poor better get used to paying extra for their groceries. Manchin is running for cover, but the food sales tax is not going anywhere.