Clergy Protest ICE, Governor Argues Tax Cut, Legislators Get Busy
Published 5 days ago • 10 min read
Observer Weekly
January 29, 2026
Jefferson County, WV news & events
The snow and cold certainly slowed things down this week in Jefferson County. The winter weather hit Charleston too, but it slowed the legislature down for just one day, with a flurry of bills filed this week that propose updates to the microgrid and data center legislation passed last year. By the end of the week the Governor was on the road as well, making another move in the battle over cuts to the personal income tax rate.
If we felt the cold here, it was worse in Minneapolis — but things were pretty hot there too, as related by a local minister who answered the call to join a peace vigil last week.
Shepherdstown Pastor Joins Clergy Gathering in Minneapolis
Rev. Newquist at rally in Charles Town in April 2025
Last week, Rev. Gusti Linnea Newquist of Shepherdstown Presbyterian Church traveled to Minneapolis to join clergy from across the country responding to concerns about U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity in the city. The gathering, organized by several faith-based groups, brought religious leaders together to observe and document federal immigration enforcement actions. According to Newquist, the clergy participated in pilgrimages, protests at the Minneapolis airport and corporate headquarters, ICE Watch discussions, mutual aid efforts, and prayer kit assembly at an Indigenous church.
Newquist’s trip comes amid growing attention to immigration enforcement activity closer to home. In Jefferson County, the City of Ranson recently issued a public statement on ICE activity and the City of Charles Town is working on a similar resolution for the City Council to review. The topic has garnered attention in nearby Washington County, Maryland, where the U.S. Department of Homeland Security appears to have acquired a large warehouse facility in Williamsport that could be used by ICE for processing or detention, raising questions among local officials and residents about future use and oversight.
After returning from Minneapolis, Rev. Newquist spoke with The Observer about why she went, what she experienced, and what she is sharing with her congregation.
Observer: Why did you go to Minneapolis?
Rev. Gusti Linnea Newquist: I serve immigrant families who have been harassed, racially profiled, and who live in fear that what is happening in Minneapolis could happen here, regardless of documentation status. In a former congregation in Troy, New York, a parishioner was deported while applying for a green card, leaving his wife and infant son behind. When the call went out for clergy to come to Minneapolis, I felt I had no choice but to go. Even my conservative, “rule of law” father told me I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if I didn’t.
Observer: How many fellow clergy members were with you?
Newquist: More than 1,000 clergy were part of the organized gatherings, and many more came independently after events reached capacity. There were clergy from across the country, representing a wide range of denominations.
Observer: What did you do while you were there? Were you concerned about your safety?
Newquist: We received briefings from local faith leaders, and it was made clear that safety could not be guaranteed. There was an ICE raid in a neighborhood near our host church while we were there. I served as a safety marshal at one protest and marched with tens of thousands of people in extreme cold.
Observer: What was the most memorable moment of your trip?
Newquist: At one point, I became separated from my group. When I told nearby marchers I had lost my people, they said, “We are your people now.”
Observer: What insights are you sharing with your congregation now that you are back?
Newquist: What is happening in Minneapolis is bigger than immigration alone. Scholars describe ICE as part of a broader authoritarian system that takes sustained effort to dismantle. My faith teaches me to love my enemies and pray for those who persecute us. That is long, difficult work.
Observer: Anything else you’d like readers to know?
Newquist: The reality on the ground in Minneapolis is far worse than what people are seeing on television.
Interview edited for length and clarity.
On February 3 at 7:00 pm, Reverend Newquist will share her experiences in Minneapolis in a Zoom meeting that is open to the public.
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Governor Morrisey Pushes Hard For 10% Income Tax Cut
Governor Patrick Morrisey was in Parkersburg, West Virginia this morning to round up support for his push to cut the state’s personal income tax rates by 10 percent.
Speaking to a small crowd of employees at Green’s Supply Depot, Governor Morrisey characterized the tax-cut issue as a battle with neighboring states: “Ohio and Kentucky are lowering their income tax rates and we don’t want to be defeated by Ohio and Kentucky!"
Morrisey also described tax relief as a tool for addressing affordability and workforce participation, saying the “income tax is immoral — it's a block to work. We want to incentivize people to work.” At the end of his address, Morrisey encouraged the attendees to contact their state representatives and ask them if they will be supporting his 10% tax cut.
What A 10% Tax Cut Means For Individuals
For 2025, West Virginia has five personal income tax brackets, ranging from 2.2% for households reporting less than $10,000 in taxable income up to 4.82% for households reporting more than $60,000 of taxable income. In the Governor’s proposal, a 10 percent cut means a reduction in those tax rates, so the lowest bracket rate would be cut to 2.0% and the highest bracket rate would be cut to 4.34%. The table below shows the annual value of a 10% tax cut for households at various levels of income.
What A 10% Tax Cut Means For The State Budget
The Governor’s executive budget report for fiscal year 2027 (which begins July 1, 2026) estimates that the state will receive $33.8 billion in revenue from all sources including the federal government. Only $5.5 billion of that amount comes from the various taxes collected by the state — also known as general fund revenue. The governor’s projection for state income tax revenue in FY2027 before a tax cut is $2.3 billion (42% of the general fund revenue and slightly less than 7% of the overall budget).
In a presentation earlier this month to the Senate Finance Committee, WV’s Secretary of Revenue Eric Nelson provided estimates on how a tax cut would affect the budget. According to Nelson, a 5% cut would reduce state revenues by $125 million and a 10% cut would reduce revenues by $250 million.
According to the Governor’s budget report, the top three line items in the $5.5 billion general fund budget are $2.4 billion for funding local K-12 schools, $1 billion for the Human Services Department, and $500 million for funding higher education. The governor’s report also highlights several significant increases in general fund expenditures for FY 2027: $125 million to fund expansion of the HOPE scholarship program, $78 million for state employee pay raises, and $35 million for expected health insurance cost increases.
The Senate and House of Delegates will be debating the budget in committee over the next several weeks. The final budget bill is typically not resolved until the final week of the legislative session in March.
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Legislators Want To Tweak Microgrid & Data Center Law
The Observer attended an April 2025 town hall meeting in Davis where residents gathered to demand information about a secretive data center project planned for Tucker County.
This week, several state senators and delegates introduced multiple pieces of legislation that attempt to modify HB2014. Here’s the current list of bills and their status (click on the bill number to view a PDF of the introduced bill text):
SB 623— Provides several tax incentives for microgrid and data center projects. Introduced by Senator Helton and referred to the Economic Development Committee on January 26.
SB 652— Directs 80% of the property tax distribution from microgrid and data center developments to the local county (change from the current law which directs 30% to the local county). Introduced by Senator Garcia and referred to the Economic Development committee on January 28.
SB 658 — Restore local control of microgrid and data center development. Introduced by Senator Garcia and referred to the Economic Development committee on January 29.
HB 4822 — Directs 10% of the property tax distribution from microgrid and data center developments to the local school district, increases distribution of taxes to the local county from 30% to 35% and shifts funds from the income tax reduction fund to the public insurance stability fund. Introduced by Delegate Hansen and referred to the Energy and Public Works committee on January 26. Co-sponsored by Delegates Hornbuckle, Garcia, Hamilton, Pushkin, Young, Williams, Lewis, Fluharty.
HB 4854 — Prohibits the state or any political subdivision from subsidizing data center projects. Introduced by Delegate Dillon and referred to the Government Organization committee on January 28.
HB 4948 — Establishes a minimum 500 foot buffer between a data center and any residence or house of worship. Introduced by Delegate Anders and referred to the Energy and Public Works committee on January 29. Cosponsored by Delegates Kump, Masters, Kimble, Dillon.
Come out and dance the winter blues away with Ginada Piñata at the Shepherdstown Opera House on Saturday, February 7. Doors open at 7:30, show at 8:00.
Winter Storm Resources — The National Weather Service is forecasting the extreme cold will continue through the weekend. Visit ObserverWV.com for helpful information and links for local government and utility contacts.
Upcoming Meetings
Data Center Information Session on Feb 5 — The Jefferson County Development Authority (JCDA) is still working to confirm the speakers for a workshop about data centers scheduled for Thursday, February 5, 6:00 – 8:00 at the County Government Building meeting room (393 North Lawrence St, Charles Town). The meeting will also be broadcast on Zoom. The Observer will post agenda details and the meeting zoom on our website when they are available (see upcoming meetings link below). The public is invited to attend the information session but there will be no public comment period.
Highlights of upcoming events around Jefferson County:
FOSL Winter Book Sale — Friends of the Shepherdstown Library book sale at the Shepherdstown Public Library, 145 Higbee Ln, Shepherdstown. Thu, Jan 29 - Fri, Jan 30 10 am – 6 pm and Sat, Jan 31, 10 am – 2 pm. Free Info…
The Sicilian Tenors — Classical crossover vocal performance by the Sicilian Tenors. Weinberg Center for the Arts, 20 West Patrick St, Frederick, MD. Friday, Jan 30, 8 pm. $ Tickets & Info…
Newberry & Burch — Live music performance by Newberry & Burch. Barns of Rose Hill, 95 Chalmers Ct, Berryville, VA. Saturday, Jan 31, 7 pm. $ Tickets & Info…
Reptile Expo — Exhibit and sale of reptiles, amphibians, and related supplies. Clarke County Fairgrounds, 890 West Main St, Berryville, VA. Saturday, Jan 31, 9 am - 3 pm. $ Tickets & Info…
Shepherdstown Farmers Market — Winter market is inside the War Memorial Building and features local produce, meats, and crafts. 102 East German St, Shepherdstown. Sunday, Feb 1, 10 am – 1 pm. Free. Info…
Artist Reception: Candice Arnwine — Reception for Candice Arnwine’s art exhibit on display through Feb 28. South Jefferson Public Library, 49 Church St, Summit Point. Sunday, Feb 1, 2 - 4 pm. Free. Info…
National Theatre Live: Inter Alia — Live theater on the big screen, produced by London’s National Theatre Live. Shepherdstown Opera House, 131 West German St, Shepherdstown. Sunday, Feb 1, 3 pm. $ Tickets & Info…
Family Bowling — Family-friendly bowling event hosted by Charles Town Presbyterian Church. Shepherd University Games Zone, 210 North King St, Shepherdstown. Sunday, Feb 1, 3 – 5 pm. Free. Info…
Macbeth — Live theatre performance of Shakespeare’s Macbeth. New Spire Arts, 15 West Patrick St, Frederick, MD. Sunday, Feb 1, 3 pm. $ Tickets & Info…
Moonstruck — Feature film screening of Moonstruck followed by optional discussion. Shepherdstown Opera House, 131 West German St, Shepherdstown. Friday, Feb 6, 7:30 pm. Pay-What-You-Can. Tickets & Info…
Arsenic and Old Lace — Comedy play Arsenic and Old Lace presented by the Old Opera House. Old Opera House, 204 North George St, Charles Town. Friday, Feb 6 – Sunday, Feb 15; multiple performances. $ Tickets & Info…
Ongoing
Celebrating Small Things — A month-long art exhibit featuring award-winning wildlife photography with proceeds supporting the library. Shepherdstown Public Library, 145 Higbee Ln, Shepherdstown. Runs until Saturday, Jan 31 during library hours. Free. Info…
Phaze 2 Gallery: ToUgH sHaPes Opening Reception — Exhibit explores geometric form and perception. Phaze 2 Gallery, Shepherd University, 92 West Campus Drive, Shepherdstown. Gallery is open 4-7 pm M-F. Free. Info…
Diana Suttenfield Art Exhibition – A new exhibition of Diana Suttenfield’s work at The Bridge Gallery, 8566 Shepherdstown Pike, Shepherdstown. Exhibit runs until Feb 28. Free.Info…
St. Isidore Market — Community market offering locally produced food and goods. St. James Church, 49 Crosswinds Dr, Charles Town. Thursdays, 5:00 - 6:30 pm. Free. Info…
Girl Scouts march in the 2025 Shepherdstown Christmas parade
Jefferson County’s Girl Scouts will be out and about selling cookies starting February 6.
The Girl Scouts Nations Capital has a cookie finding tool on their website — type in your zip code and you’ll see a list of upcoming booth locations nearby with a schedule of which troops will be at that location.
Jefferson County locations for Feb 6, 7 & 8:
Charles Town & Ranson: Brothers Pizza (Patrick Henry Way), CVS (Flowing Springs Rd), Foils and Fades (Washington St), Food Lion (Somerset Blvd), IHOP, Tractor Supply (Somerset Blvd), Walmart.
Every week, The Observer digs into the details that matter in Jefferson County. Our content is free for everyone to read, but producing well-researched local news isn’t free.
