Happy New (Fiscal) Year, W.Va.

It doesn't sound nearly as exciting as Jan. 1, but Tuesday kicks off West Virginia's new budget year.

Toward that end, the state completes the gradual halving of the sales tax on groceries to 3 cents on the dollar. The Associated Press reports on the latest food tax cut, while noting that West Virginia's "will still be higher than surrounding states. Kentucky, Maryland, Ohio, and Pennsylvania don't have a food tax. Virginia's is 2.5 percent."

July 1. also marks the opening of the market for workers' compensation coverage to competition beyond the state-created BrickStreet Insurance Co. Those with coverage include the Charleston Daily Mail, The Register-Herald of Beckley, The Journal of Martinsburg and the Bluefield Daily Telegraph.

Update: MetroNews' Talkine featured dueling perspectives on the food tax cuts, with audio from Delegate Mitch Carmichael, R-Jackson, and Manchin spokeswoman Lara Ramsburg.