Members of a panel looking at ways to update West Virginia's tax laws say counties and municipalities should have more flexibility when it comes to collecting taxes.

Marshall University economist Cal Kent says giving local governments more leeway would enhance their revenue streams while not costing the state any additional money.

Gov. Joe Manchin convened a work group to make the state's tax structure more efficient.

In the group's first meeting on Friday in Charleston, members discussed a variety of possibilities, but in general say they need more time to study them.

Tax Commissioner Christopher Morris says the goal is to have proposals for the 2010 legislative session, but there was little in the way of concrete suggestions for lawmakers Friday.

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