CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Members of the state legislature finished their work in Charleston Wednesday when they passed the 2015-16 budget bill at the state capitol. The House-Senate bill, which will go to the desk of Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin, takes nearly $23 million out of the state’s “Rainy Day” fund to balance the spending plan.
Several delegates said they voted against the bill because of the “Rainy Day” decision. Other delegates, like Del. Jim Morgan (D-Cabell), continued to call for lawmakers to make tough decisions about raising revenue through raising taxes.
“What I wonder is—what would have happened if we would have chosen to invest in a better West Virginia,” Morgan said.
Del. Don Perdue said running the state like a business too many times skips over those who need the most help.
“(We say) ‘we must live within our means’ while the statement is imminently logical it begs the question of what exactly do we do with all the human inventory shelved because it’s either damaged, past its expiration date or not commercially appealing,” Perdue said.
The House approved the plan 84-14. The Senate, which had no discussion after the bill was presented by Finance Committee Chair Mike Hall (R-Putnam), approved the bill 25-8. It next heads to the governor who has line-item veto power.
Tomblin’s budget cut higher education by $12 million, but the legislature restored $7.3 million. The legislature’s plan also adds $11.5 million for road repairs.
The biggest difference is in the “Rainy Day” fund where Tomblin’s proposed budget is closer to taking approximately $15 million out to balance the next budget, making the plans about $9 million apart.